How far is Portsmouth, NH from Salem, NH?
The driving distance from Portsmouth, NH to Salem, NH is about 35.7 miles (57.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30 miles (48.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 21m 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 40m.
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 Hampshire, United States
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 Portsmouth and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth and Salem.
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1
Start on Congress Street
124 m · 15 sec · Congress Street
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2
Turn right onto Fleet Street
141 m · 17 sec · Fleet Street
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3
Turn right onto Hanover Street
662 ft · 27 sec · Hanover Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Market Street
1 mi · 3 min · Market Street
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5
Take the ramp left toward I 95 South: Hampton, Boston
1468 ft · 36 sec
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6
Merge slight left
9 mi · 11 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Blue Star Turnpike
7.7 mi · 9 min · Blue Star Turnpike
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 495 South: Worcester
12.9 mi · 15 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward MA 97, MA 110, MA 113: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire
830 ft · 20 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on MA 97: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire
816 ft · 23 sec
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11
Turn right onto Broadway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Broadway
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12
Continue on State Route 97
1.8 mi · 4 min · State Route 97
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13
Continue on Ayers Village Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Ayers Village Road
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14
Continue on Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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15
Turn left
34 m · 8 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portsmouth and Salem.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 495 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 495 South: Worcester
12.9 mi · 00h 15m
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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth to Salem?
The road trip is about 35.7 miles (57.5 km) and usually takes 00h 40m 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?
Seabrook is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.1 miles from Portsmouth and 17.6 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30 miles (48.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.7 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 7:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.97 one way or $9.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Portsmouth and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Seabrook
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 Seabrook.
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Exeter station
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Haverhill station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Portsmouth and Salem. Straight-line distance: 30.01 mi (48.29 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 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: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $4.97 | $9.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $5.62 | $11.23 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $6.12 | $12.24 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $7.56 | $15.11 |
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.