How far is Exeter, NH from Salem, NH?
The driving distance from Exeter, NH to Salem, NH is about 31.6 miles (50.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 14m 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 37m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Town in New Hamsphire
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Exeter and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Exeter and Salem.
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1
Start on Water Street
103 m · 14 sec · Water Street
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2
Turn right onto Front Street
122 m · 14 sec · Front Street
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3
Turn left onto Court Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · Court Street
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4
Continue on North Haverhill Road
713 ft · 17 sec · North Haverhill Road
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5
Turn slight left onto Amesbury Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Amesbury Road
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Amesbury Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Amesbury Road
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7
Continue on Exeter Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Exeter Road
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8
Continue on Market Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · Market Street
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
127 m · 10 sec · Main Street
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10
Continue on Friend Street
894 ft · 25 sec · Friend Street
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward School Street
40 m · 4 sec · School Street
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12
Exit the roundabout onto School Street
574 ft · 18 sec · School Street
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13
Continue on Main Street
2755 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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14
Turn right onto Haverhill Road
581 ft · 16 sec · Haverhill Road
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Haverhill Road
1676 ft · 50 sec · Haverhill Road
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16
Turn left
1204 ft · 24 sec
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17
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 South: Haverhill
1636 ft · 40 sec
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18
Merge slight left
10 mi · 12 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward MA 97, MA 110, MA 113: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire
830 ft · 20 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on MA 97: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire
816 ft · 23 sec
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21
Turn right onto Broadway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Broadway
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22
Continue on State Route 97
1.8 mi · 4 min · State Route 97
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23
Continue on Ayers Village Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Ayers Village Road
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24
Continue on Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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25
Turn left
34 m · 8 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Exeter and Salem.
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.
I 495 South
Merge slight left
10 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Exeter 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 Exeter to Salem?
The road trip is about 31.6 miles (50.9 km) and usually takes 00h 37m 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?
South Hampton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.2 miles from Exeter and 18.3 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.1 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 7:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.38 one way or $8.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Exeter and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near South Hampton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South Hampton.
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Exeter station
Haverhill station
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Exeter and Salem. Straight-line distance: 18.49 mi (29.76 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 Salem
Town in New Hampshire, United States
| Population | 30,641 |
| Coordinates | 42.7884200, -71.2008900 |
| Altitude | 40 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-71.200866, 42.788382)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 51 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $4.38 | $8.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $4.95 | $9.89 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $5.39 | $10.78 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $6.66 | $13.31 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.