How far is Exeter, NH from Portsmouth, NH?
The driving distance from Exeter, NH to Portsmouth, NH is about 17.1 miles (27.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.7 miles (18.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 23m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
County seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Exeter and Portsmouth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Exeter and Portsmouth.
-
1
Start on Water Street
962 ft · 33 sec · Water Street
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2
Continue on High Street
743 ft · 29 sec · High Street
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3
Turn left onto Portsmouth Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · Portsmouth Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight right
2351 ft · 57 sec
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5
Merge slight left
3.5 mi · 4 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 95: Portsmouth, Boston
1.3 km · 2 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: Portsmouth, Maine, Pease International Tradeport
2454 ft · 1 min
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8
Continue straight
1816 ft · 44 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Blue Star Turnpike
7 mi · 8 min · Blue Star Turnpike
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Blue Star Turnpike
1.9 mi · 3 min · Blue Star Turnpike
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11
Take the exit slight right
1313 ft · 35 sec
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12
Turn right onto Market Street
1 mi · 2 min · Market Street
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Congress Street
16 m · 1 sec · Congress Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Congress Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Exeter and Portsmouth.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Blue Star Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Blue Star Turnpike
7 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Exeter and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Portsmouth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Exeter to Portsmouth?
The road trip is about 17.1 miles (27.5 km) and usually takes 00h 23m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
North Hampton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.5 miles from Exeter and 8.6 miles from Portsmouth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.7 miles (18.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.37 one way or $4.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Exeter and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Portsmouth.
Stop Ideas Near North Hampton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Dover City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Hampton.
Exeter station
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Durham–UNH station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Exeter and Portsmouth. Straight-line distance: 11.66 mi (18.76 km).
#1 Exeter
Town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States
| Population | 15,296 |
| Coordinates | 42.9814800, -70.9478300 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Portsmouth
City in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States
| Population | 21,557 |
| Coordinates | 43.0770400, -70.7576600 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: Congress Street (-70.757617, 43.077054)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 27 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $2.37 | $4.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $2.67 | $5.35 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $2.91 | $5.83 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $3.60 | $7.20 |
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 · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.