Origin
Salem, NH
Late night in Salem on Thursday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salem, NH to Bedford, NH
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
35m
Distance
24.7 mi
40 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salem, NH
Banx Photography
Bedford, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 24.7-mile drive from Salem to Bedford, New Hampshire, is easily manageable in about 35 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The route primarily utilizes major highways, including I-93 and I-293, with a brief stint on NH-101, indicating a predominantly highway-focused experience. With a low estimated fuel cost of around $4, this is a budget-friendly option for a quick journey within the Northeast region. Since it's a short distance, you won't need to split this drive or plan for an overnight stay, offering flexibility for when you decide to depart.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
12.3 miles from Salem, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric journey for most of this trip, with 88% of the drive taking place on interstates. You'll spend a significant uninterrupted stretch of 14.9 miles on I-93, which forms the backbone of this route. The road character is largely defined by its interstate nature, offering consistent speed and efficient travel. While primarily highway, the transition onto I-293 and NH-101 means you'll navigate different interstate designations, but the overall feel remains one of smooth, albeit potentially busy, highway driving.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 93 is the longest continuous segment at about 14.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 93 and I 293. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 24.7 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 93): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.7 miles (I 293): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 93 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 93 North
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 93
Merge onto I 93
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
17.7 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 293
Take the exit onto I 293 toward I 293 North, NH 101 West: Manchester Airport, Bedford, Manchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 293 North, NH 101 West: Manchester Air...
6
21.2 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
NH 101
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 101 toward NH 101 West: Bedford, Nashua
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NH 101 West: Bedford, Nashua
5
24.6 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
Bedford Center Road
Turn right onto Bedford Center Road
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Salem, NH and Bedford, NH, road signs point toward Manchester and Nashua.
Manchester
17.7 mi in
|
~24m
|
via I 293
Nashua
21.2 mi in
|
~29m
|
via NH 101
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 93 | 14.9 mi | 17m |
| I 293 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| NH 101 | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Main Street | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| Pelham Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Meetinghouse Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Bedford Center Road | <0.1 mi | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 93
— 14.9 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, NH and Bedford, NH.
1
Start on this road
113 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto NH 97
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on Pelham Road
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Pelham Road
4
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 93 North
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 93
15 mi
·
17 min
·
I 93
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto I 293
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
I 293
Toward I 293 North, NH 101 West: Manchester Airport, Bedford, Manchester
7
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 101
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
NH 101
Toward NH 101 West: Bedford, Nashua
8
Turn left onto NH 101
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
NH 101
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on NH 101
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
NH 101
10
Turn right onto Meetinghouse Road
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Meetinghouse Road
11
Turn right onto Bedford Center Road
20 ft
·
0 sec
·
Bedford Center Road
12
Arrive at destination
Bedford Center Road
Trip Plan
Given the short 35-minute duration, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart at any time of day, though avoiding typical rush hours will ensure the smoothest experience on the interstates. With only 24.7 miles and an estimated fuel cost of just $4, you won't need to worry much about frequent refueling or extensive planning for stops. The longest stretch is 14.9 miles on I-93, so if you need a break, plan for it before or after this segment, perhaps near one of the highway interchanges.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 12.3 miles from Salem, NH, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 24.7 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.3 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bedford, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Salem, NH.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Salem, NH
This is one driving day of about 24.7 miles and 35m.
At 24.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 93 for about 14.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.3 mi from Salem, NH · 18m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 12.3 miles from Salem, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bedford, NH
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Bedford, NH if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.98 one way
$7.95 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $4.38 | $8.75 |
| premium | $4.86 | $4.73 | $9.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.45 | $10.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.4 | 0 | $2.59 | $1.19 |
| Efficient EV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.16 | $0.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.9 | 0 | $3.46 | $1.58 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Bedford, NH
Late night in Bedford on Thursday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Salem, NH to Bedford, NH covers 24.7 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 93, I 293, NH 101. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.3 miles from Salem, NH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.98 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 24.7 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 93): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.7 miles (I 293): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Salem, NH and Bedford, NH, road signs point toward Manchester and Nashua.
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