Drive Time
32m
Distance
22.7 mi
37 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Photo: Mohan Nannapaneni
The drive from Salem, NH to Manchester, NH covers 22.7 miles and takes about 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 93, Main Street, South Maple Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 14.9 miles on I 93. At current regular gas prices, budget about $3.63 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
11.3 miles from Salem, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
This is a 32m highway drive covering 22.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 93 and Main Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 14.9 miles on I 93.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 93 and Main Street. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 22.7 miles you will encounter 9 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I 93 North
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 93
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward NH 28
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto NH 28 / South Willow Street
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Salem, NH to Manchester, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Bedford
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 93 | 14.9 mi | 17m |
| Main Street | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| South Maple Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| I 293 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| South Willow Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Pelham Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Bridge Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, NH and Manchester, NH.
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.
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 22.7 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.3 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manchester, NH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Salem, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Salem, NH
This is one driving day of about 22.7 miles and 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.3 mi from Salem, NH · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 22.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 11.3 miles from Salem, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Manchester, NH usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Manchester, NH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$3.63 one way
$7.27 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $3.98 | $7.97 |
| premium | $4.83 | $4.31 | $8.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.04 | $10.09 |
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: 7.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.38 | $1.09 |
| Efficient EV | 5.7 | 0 | $1.99 | $0.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.18 | $1.45 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Salem on Saturday
Local time
4:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Manchester on Saturday
Local time
4:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
48°F
Albany, NY
11 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Salem, NH or browse trips ending in Manchester, NH.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NH road trips.
Explore maps for Salem, NH or Manchester, NH on MapSof.net.
