How far is Rochester, NH from Thornton, NH?
The driving distance from Rochester, NH to Thornton, NH is about 72 miles (115.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 53.7 miles (86.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 30m 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 45m.
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 New Hampshire, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rochester and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rochester and Thornton.
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1
Start on the route
16 m · 4 sec
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2
Turn right onto Hanson Street
75 m · 15 sec · Hanson Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Wakefield Street
741 ft · 23 sec · Wakefield Street
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4
Keep slight left
804 ft · 27 sec
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5
Turn right onto North Main Street
1706 ft · 49 sec · North Main Street
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Strafford Square Roundabout
12 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
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7
Exit the rotary onto North Main Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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8
Continue on Farmington Road
2.4 mi · 5 min · Farmington Road
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9
Continue on NH Route 11
6.1 mi · 9 min · NH Route 11
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10
Continue on Henry Wilson Highway
6.2 mi · 9 min · Henry Wilson Highway
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
797 ft · 23 sec
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12
Exit the roundabout
3023 ft · 2 min
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13
Turn left onto Factory Street
2617 ft · 1 min · Factory Street
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14
Continue on Frank C. Gilman Highway
3.7 mi · 7 min · Frank C. Gilman Highway
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15
Continue on New Hampshire Route 140
10 mi · 18 min · New Hampshire Route 140
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16
Continue on Gilmanton Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Gilmanton Road
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17
Continue on State Route 140
1135 ft · 36 sec · State Route 140
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18
Continue on Main Street
1094 ft · 31 sec · Main Street
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19
Turn right onto Depot Street
2.9 mi · 5 min · Depot Street
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20
Continue on Tilton Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Tilton Road
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21
Continue on I 93 North
2342 ft · 57 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Styles Bridges Highway
31.3 mi · 34 min · Styles Bridges Highway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward US 3: Thornton
1181 ft · 39 sec
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24
At the end of the road, turn left onto Daniel Webster Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Daniel Webster Highway
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Daniel Webster Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rochester and Thornton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Styles Bridges Highway
Merge slight left onto Styles Bridges Highway
31.3 mi · 00h 34m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Rochester and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rochester to Thornton?
The road trip is about 72 miles (115.8 km) and usually takes 01h 45m 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?
Belmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36 miles from Rochester and 36 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 53.7 miles (86.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.3 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 3:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.02 one way or $20.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Rochester and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Belmont
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 Belmont.
Tilton, New Hampshire
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Concord, New Hampshire
Plymouth, New Hampshire
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rochester and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 53.67 mi (86.37 km).
#1 Rochester
City in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States
| Population | 31,719 |
| Coordinates | 43.3045300, -70.9756200 |
| Altitude | 70 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Thornton
Town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States
| Population | 2,553 |
| Coordinates | 43.8928500, -71.6759100 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thornton (-71.67591, 43.89285)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 116 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $10.02 | $20.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $11.32 | $22.64 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $12.34 | $24.68 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $15.23 | $30.46 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.