The drive from Wakefield, NH to Derry, NH covers 59.6 miles and takes about 1h 38m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Calef Highway, Spaulding Turnpike, Chester Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 17.3 miles on Calef Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.59 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.
Midpoint
29.8 miles from Wakefield, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 59.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Wakefield, NH to Derry, NH covers 59.6 miles and takes about 1h 38m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Calef Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.1 miles in near Exit 12.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.6 miles you will encounter 15 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 21.1 miles (Exit 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles (Exit 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 40.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
21.1 mi into trip|~31m in|Exit 12
Take the exit onto Exit 12 toward NH 125: Rochester, Gonic
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward NH 125: Rochester, Gonic
5
21.4 mi into trip|~32m in|Exit 12
Keep slight right at fork onto Exit 12
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
40.5 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
44.9 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward NH 102, NH 107, NH 156: Raymond, Fremont
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward NH 102, NH 107, NH 156: Raymond, Fremont
5
45.2 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|NH 107 / Freetown Road
At end of road, turn left onto NH 107 / Freetown Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wakefield, NH and Derry, NH, road signs point toward Gonic and Fremont.
Gonic
21.1 mi in|~31m|via Exit 12
Fremont
44.9 mi in|~1h 8m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Calef Highway
17.3 mi
27m
Spaulding Turnpike
14.4 mi
19m
Chester Road
5.7 mi
10m
Raymond Road
4.2 mi
8m
NH 101
4 mi
4m
Wakefield Road
3.4 mi
6m
White Mountain Highway
3.2 mi
4m
Derry Road
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Calef Highway
— 17.3 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wakefield, NH and Derry, NH.
1
Start on this road
173 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NH 153
3.4 mi·6 min·Wakefield Road
3
Take the ramp
185 ft·10 sec
4
Turn left onto NH 16
3.2 mi·4 min·White Mountain Highway
5
Continue on NH 16
14 mi·19 min·Spaulding Turnpike
6
Take the exit onto Exit 12
0.3 mi·52 sec·Exit 12
Exit 12Toward NH 125: Rochester, Gonic
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Exit 12
443 ft·17 sec·Exit 12
8
Merge onto NH 125
1.7 mi·3 min·Gonic Road
9
Continue on NH 125
7.7 mi·12 min·Calef Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto NH 125
165 ft·4 sec·Calef Highway
11
Continue on NH 125
9.6 mi·14 min·Calef Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto NH 101
4.0 mi·4 min·NH 101
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 5Toward NH 102, NH 107, NH 156: Raymond, FremontUse the slight right lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto NH 107
1.1 mi·2 min·Freetown Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on NH 102
2.5 mi·4 min·Chester Road
17
Continue on NH 102
4.2 mi·8 min·Raymond Road
18
Continue on NH 102
2.2 mi·4 min·Derry Road
19
Continue on NH 102
3.2 mi·6 min·Chester Road
20
Enter roundabout onto NH 102
136 ft·3 sec·East Broadway
21
Continue on NH 102
1.1 mi·2 min·East Broadway
22
Turn right onto Martin Street
133 ft·11 sec·Martin Street
23
Turn left
112 ft·8 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 29.8 miles from Wakefield, NH, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.3 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 13 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.8 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Derry, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wakefield, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wakefield, NH
This is one driving day of about 59.6 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Wakefield, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Calef Highway for about 17.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.8 mi from Wakefield, NH
· 46m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.59 one way
$19.19 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$10.56
$21.11
premium
$4.86
$11.41
$22.83
diesel
$5.61
$13.16
$26.32
Estimated Tolls: $1.01
Spaulding Turnpike
(14.4 mi)$1.01
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
2 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
EV Connect Charging Station
Londonderry, New Hampshire
EV Connect
1 DCFC
InCharge Energy Charging Station
Rochester, New Hampshire
InCharge
1 DCFC
EV Connect: 1
InCharge: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17.9
0
$6.26
$2.86
Efficient EV
14.9
0
$5.22
$2.38
EV Truck/SUV
23.8
0
$8.34
$3.81
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Wakefield, NH
Late night
in Wakefield on Saturday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Derry, NH
Late night
in Derry on Saturday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
25 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 38m 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 Wakefield, NH to Derry, NH covers 59.6 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Calef Highway, Spaulding Turnpike, Chester Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.8 miles from Wakefield, NH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.59 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 59.6 miles you will encounter 15 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 21.1 miles (Exit 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles (Exit 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 40.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Wakefield, NH and Derry, NH, road signs point toward Gonic and Fremont.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
