How far is Gilford, NH from Portsmouth, NH?
The driving distance from Gilford, NH to Portsmouth, NH is about 54.9 miles (88.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 46 miles (74.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 16m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gilford and Portsmouth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gilford and Portsmouth.
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1
Start on Belknap Mountain Road
102 m · 10 sec · Belknap Mountain Road
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2
Turn right onto Cherry Valley Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Cherry Valley Road
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3
Keep slight right to continue on Cherry Valley Road
5.8 mi · 11 min · Cherry Valley Road
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4
Continue on Mountain Road
755 ft · 16 sec · Mountain Road
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5
Continue on Cherry Valley Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Cherry Valley Road
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6
Turn right onto Mount Major Highway
4.4 mi · 6 min · Mount Major Highway
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7
Continue on Mt. Major Highway
2.1 mi · 4 min · Mt. Major Highway
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8
Continue on Main Street
582 ft · 17 sec · Main Street
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9
Turn left onto East Side Drive
93 m · 10 sec · East Side Drive
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10
Turn slight right onto Bay Hill Road
2180 ft · 1 min · Bay Hill Road
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11
Turn right onto State Route 28
1.6 mi · 3 min · State Route 28
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
741 ft · 21 sec
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13
Exit the roundabout
14.5 mi · 22 min
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14
Take the exit slight right
552 ft · 16 sec
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15
Continue on NH 16 On-Ramp South
1625 ft · 25 sec · NH 16 On-Ramp South
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16
Merge slight left onto Spaulding Turnpike
20 mi · 26 min · Spaulding Turnpike
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17
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North
1.5 km · 2 min
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Portsmouth Traffic Circle
692 ft · 20 sec
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19
Exit the rotary onto US 1 Bypass North: Portsmouth, Woodbury Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min
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20
Turn left onto Submarine Way
566 ft · 18 sec · Submarine Way
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21
Turn right onto Market Street
1 km · 2 min · Market Street
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22
At the end of the road, turn right onto Congress Street
16 m · 1 sec · Congress Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Congress Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gilford and Portsmouth.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Spaulding Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Spaulding Turnpike
20 mi · 00h 26m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Gilford and Mostly Sunny near Portsmouth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gilford to Portsmouth?
The road trip is about 54.9 miles (88.4 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?
Farmington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.2 miles from Gilford and 27.7 miles from Portsmouth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 46 miles (74.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.9 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 3:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.33 one way or $16.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gilford and Mostly Sunny near Portsmouth.
Stop Ideas Near Farmington
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 Farmington.
Dover Transportation Center
Durham–UNH station
Wells Regional Transportation Center
Tilton, New Hampshire
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gilford and Portsmouth. Straight-line distance: 46.06 mi (74.13 km).
#1 Gilford
Town of the United States
| Population | 7,278 |
| Coordinates | 43.5475800, -71.4067400 |
| Altitude | 225 |
| 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: 88 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.29 | $8.33 | $16.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.88 | $9.47 | $18.95 |
| Premium | $5.34 | $10.35 | $20.71 |
| Diesel | $6.35 | $12.32 | $24.65 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026