How far is Durham, NH from Salem, NH?

The driving distance from Durham, NH to Salem, NH is about 43.3 miles (69.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
43.3 mi
00h 48m
Flight
27.61 mi
44.44 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Durham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.61 mi
Kilometers
44.44 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
43.3 mi
Kilometers
69.68 km
Drive Time
00h 48m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Salem
Thu, Apr 23, 4:00 AM EDT
Return by in Durham
Thu, Apr 23, 4:48 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Durham
2026-04-23T03:11
Arrive Salem
Thu, Apr 23, 4:00 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:48 AM to 10:48 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:54 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Durham
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Hampton Falls
NH

City in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States of America

From Durham
21.6 mi
00h 24m
To Salem
21.7 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NW
Destination
60°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Durham and Salem.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Durham and Salem.

  1. 1

    Start on Mill Road

    44 m · 7 sec · Mill Road

  2. 2

    Turn slight right onto Main Street

    80 m · 9 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Keep slight right to continue on Main Street

    1187 ft · 37 sec · Main Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Dover Road

    3280 ft · 2 min · Dover Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right

    1231 ft · 23 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Piscataqua Road

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Piscataqua Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Scammell Bridge

    1132 ft · 28 sec · Scammell Bridge

  8. 8

    Continue on Boston Harbor Road

    812 ft · 22 sec · Boston Harbor Road

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    54 m · 4 sec

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout

    684 ft · 17 sec

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    2827 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Spaulding Turnpike

    5.2 mi · 7 min · Spaulding Turnpike

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Blue Star Turnpike

    7.3 mi · 9 min · Blue Star Turnpike

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Blue Star Turnpike

    7.7 mi · 9 min · Blue Star Turnpike

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on I 495 South: Worcester

    12.9 mi · 15 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 97, MA 110, MA 113: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire

    830 ft · 20 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on MA 97: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire

    816 ft · 23 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Broadway

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Broadway

  19. 19

    Continue on State Route 97

    1.8 mi · 4 min · State Route 97

  20. 20

    Continue on Ayers Village Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Ayers Village Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  22. 22

    Turn left

    34 m · 8 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Durham and Salem.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
53.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Blue Star Turnpike
14.9 mi · 35%
I 495 South
12.9 mi · 30%
Spaulding Turnpike
5.2 mi · 12%
Piscataqua Road
2.92 mi · 7%
State Route 97
1.83 mi · 4%
Main Street
1.31 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 495 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 495 South: Worcester

12.9 mi · 00h 15m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.7 mi
27.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hampton Falls
00h 24m from Durham
Leave By
4:54 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Durham and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Salem.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Durham to Salem?

The road trip is about 43.3 miles (69.7 km) and usually takes 00h 48m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Hampton Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.6 miles from Durham and 21.7 miles from Salem.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:54 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.04 one way or $12.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Durham and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Salem.

Stop Ideas Near Hampton Falls

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Hampton Falls and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall
Scenic stop 13 mi away

Old City Hall

Portsmouth , NH
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City Hall,Tourist attraction
Portsmouth City Hall
Meeting point 12.6 mi away

Portsmouth City Hall

Portsmouth , NH
1 Junkins Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Rating 4.5/5 26 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hampton Falls.

RAIL

Exeter station

11 mi away
60 Lincoln Street
BUS

Newburyport, Massachusetts

12 mi away
90 Storey Avenue
BUS

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

17 mi away
185 Grafton Drive
RAIL

Haverhill station

24 mi away
Washington Street at Railroad Square

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Durham and Salem. Straight-line distance: 27.61 mi (44.44 km).

Durham

#1 Durham

Town in New Hampshire

Population16,441
Coordinates43.1339700, -70.9264500
Altitude15
CountryUnited States
Salem

#2 Salem

Town in New Hampshire, United States

Population30,641
Coordinates42.7884200, -71.2008900
Altitude40
CountryUnited States
Start: Mill Road (-70.926428, 43.133934)
End: (-71.200866, 42.788382)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 70 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.53 gal
5.78 L · about $6.04
Round trip
$12.07
3.06 gal · 11.56 L
Estimated CO2
13.6 kg one way
Round trip: 27.2 kg / 60 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $6.04 $12.07
Mid-grade $4.46 $6.82 $13.64
Premium $4.86 $7.43 $14.87
Diesel $6.00 $9.18 $18.35

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in New Hampshire · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Durham and Salem. The current time is 03:11:47.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.