How far is Portsmouth, NH from Exeter, NH?
The driving distance from Portsmouth, NH to Exeter, NH is about 16.5 miles (26.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.7 miles (18.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 51m 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 25m.
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 Portsmouth and Exeter.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth and Exeter.
-
1
Start on Congress Street
124 m · 15 sec · Congress Street
-
2
Turn right onto Fleet Street
141 m · 17 sec · Fleet Street
-
3
Turn right onto Hanover Street
662 ft · 27 sec · Hanover Street
-
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Market Street
1 mi · 3 min · Market Street
-
5
Take the ramp left toward I 95 South: Hampton, Boston
1468 ft · 36 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
8.8 mi · 11 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward NH 101: Hampton, Manchester
3185 ft · 1 min
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on 101 West: Manchester, Concord, Exeter
2083 ft · 51 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Exeter-Hampton Expressway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Exeter-Hampton Expressway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward NH 108: Stratham, Exeter
1619 ft · 46 sec
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on NH 108 South: Exeter, Hampton Falls
147 m · 15 sec
-
12
Turn slight left onto Portsmouth Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · Portsmouth Avenue
-
13
Turn right onto High Street
743 ft · 25 sec · High Street
-
14
Continue on Water Street
962 ft · 33 sec · Water Street
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Water Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portsmouth and Exeter.
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 95 South
Merge slight left
8.83 mi · 00h 11m
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 Portsmouth and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Exeter.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portsmouth to Exeter?
The road trip is about 16.5 miles (26.5 km) and usually takes 00h 25m 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 8.3 miles from Portsmouth and 8.3 miles from Exeter.
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 4.8 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 7:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.29 one way or $4.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Portsmouth and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Exeter.
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 Portsmouth and Exeter. Straight-line distance: 11.66 mi (18.76 km).
#1 Portsmouth
City in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States
| Population | 21,557 |
| Coordinates | 43.0770400, -70.7576600 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Exeter
Town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States
| Population | 15,296 |
| Coordinates | 42.9814800, -70.9478300 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| Country | United States |
End: Exeter (-70.94783, 42.98148)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 27 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 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 | $2.29 | $4.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $2.59 | $5.17 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $2.82 | $5.64 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $3.48 | $6.96 |
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.