How far is Merrimack, NH from Thornton, NH?

The driving distance from Merrimack, NH to Thornton, NH is about 79.2 miles (127.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 71.6 miles (115.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 14m 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
79.24 mi
01h 37m
Flight
71.6 mi
115.23 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Merrimack.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
71.6 mi
Kilometers
115.23 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
79.24 mi
Kilometers
127.52 km
Drive Time
01h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Thornton
Thu, Apr 23, 2:21 AM EDT
Return by in Merrimack
Thu, Apr 23, 3:58 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Merrimack
2026-04-23T00:43
Arrive Thornton
Thu, Apr 23, 2:21 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:37 AM to 11:37 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:16 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Merrimack
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
Canterbury
NH

Human settlement in United States of America

From Merrimack
39.6 mi
00h 48m
To Thornton
39.6 mi
00h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW
Destination
52°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Merrimack and Thornton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Merrimack and Thornton.

  1. 1

    Start on Loop Road

    25 m · 6 sec · Loop Road

  2. 2

    Turn straight onto Daniel Webster Highway

    3.8 mi · 8 min · Daniel Webster Highway

  3. 3

    Continue on South River Road

    2135 ft · 46 sec · South River Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward Concord, Nashua

    2141 ft · 52 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Raymond Wieczorek Drive

    653 ft · 11 sec · Raymond Wieczorek Drive

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Bedford, Manchester

    1.3 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Everett Turnpike

    11.2 mi · 15 min · Everett Turnpike

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Everett Turnpike

    10.2 mi · 12 min · Everett Turnpike

  9. 9

    Continue on Styles Bridges Highway

    16.7 mi · 19 min · Styles Bridges Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Sen Styles Bridges Highway

    1.2 km · 47 sec · Sen Styles Bridges Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Styles Bridges Highway

    32.9 mi · 35 min · Styles Bridges Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 3: Thornton

    1181 ft · 39 sec

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Daniel Webster Highway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Daniel Webster Highway

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Daniel Webster Highway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Merrimack and Thornton.

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
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Styles Bridges Highway
49.6 mi · 63%
Everett Turnpike
21.4 mi · 27%
Daniel Webster Highway
5.52 mi · 7%
Bedford
0.81 mi · 1%
Sen Styles Bridges Highway
0.73 mi · 1%
Concord
0.41 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Styles Bridges Highway

Continue on Styles Bridges Highway

32.9 mi · 00h 35m

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
01h 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.6 mi
71.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Canterbury
00h 48m from Merrimack
Leave By
3:16 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Merrimack and Partly Sunny near Thornton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Merrimack to Thornton?

The road trip is about 79.2 miles (127.5 km) and usually takes 01h 37m 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?

Canterbury is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.6 miles from Merrimack and 39.6 miles from Thornton.

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

The direct path is about 71.6 miles (115.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 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 3:16 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.01 one way or $22.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Merrimack and Partly Sunny near Thornton.

Stop Ideas Near Canterbury

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Canterbury, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Canterbury.

BUS

Tilton, New Hampshire

13 mi away
I-93 and US hwy 3
BUS

Concord, New Hampshire

14 mi away
30 Stickney Ave.
BUS

New Hampton, New Hampshire

32 mi away
325 Route 104
BUS

Manchester, New Hampshire

40 mi away
119 Canal St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Merrimack and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 71.6 mi (115.23 km).

Merrimack

#1 Merrimack

River in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, United States

Population27,452
Coordinates42.8650900, -71.4934000
Altitude47
CountryUnited States
Thornton

#2 Thornton

Town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States

Population2,553
Coordinates43.8928500, -71.6759100
Altitude184
CountryUnited States
Start: Merrimack (-71.4934, 42.86509)
End: Thornton (-71.67591, 43.89285)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 128 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.79 gal
10.58 L · about $11.01
Round trip
$22.01
5.58 gal · 21.16 L
Estimated CO2
24.8 kg one way
Round trip: 49.6 kg / 109 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $11.01 $22.01
Mid-grade $4.46 $12.44 $24.87
Premium $4.86 $13.55 $27.11
Diesel $6.00 $16.73 $33.46

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 Merrimack and Thornton. The current time is 00:43:58.

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.