How far is Salem, NH from Durham, NH?

The driving distance from Salem, NH to Durham, NH is about 44.6 miles (71.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 08m 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
44.63 mi
01h 04m
Flight
27.61 mi
44.44 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Salem.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.61 mi
Kilometers
44.44 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
44.63 mi
Kilometers
71.83 km
Drive Time
01h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Durham
Wed, Apr 22, 11:30 PM EDT
Return by in Salem
Thu, Apr 23, 12:34 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Salem
2026-04-22T22:26
Arrive Durham
Wed, Apr 22, 11:30 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:04 AM to 11:04 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Salem
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
Hampton Falls
NH

City in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States of America

From Salem
22.3 mi
00h 32m
To Durham
22.3 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph S
Destination
48°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and Durham.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Durham.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    34 m · 9 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Ayers Village Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Ayers Village Road

  4. 4

    Continue on State Route 97

    1.8 mi · 4 min · State Route 97

  5. 5

    Continue on Broadway

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Broadway

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 North: Amesbury, Salisbury

    1942 ft · 49 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    13.6 mi · 16 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    6.7 mi · 8 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Blue Star Turnpike

    7.8 mi · 9 min · Blue Star Turnpike

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Spaulding Turnpike

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Spaulding Turnpike

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 4: Dover Point Road, Durham-UNH, Concord

    1594 ft · 39 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on US 4: Durham-UNH, Concord

    72 m · 8 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left

    1833 ft · 52 sec

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Boston Harbor Road

    37 m · 3 sec · Boston Harbor Road

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto Boston Harbor Road

    811 ft · 22 sec · Boston Harbor Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Scammell Bridge

    1132 ft · 28 sec · Scammell Bridge

  17. 17

    Continue on Piscataqua Road

    3 mi · 5 min · Piscataqua Road

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward NH 108: Durham, Dover

    939 ft · 41 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Dover Road

    1.1 km · 2 min · Dover Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Main Street

    1033 ft · 29 sec · Main Street

  21. 21

    Continue on Madbury Road

    149 m · 17 sec · Madbury Road

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on Pettee Brook Lane

    1092 ft · 37 sec · Pettee Brook Lane

  23. 23

    Continue on Pettee Brook Lane

    46 m · 5 sec · Pettee Brook Lane

  24. 24

    Turn straight onto Main Street

    560 ft · 19 sec · Main Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Mill Road

    61 m · 14 sec · Mill Road

  26. 26

    Continue on Mill Road

    33 m · 4 sec · Mill Road

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Mill Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Durham.

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
27 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
60.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 495 North
20.6 mi · 46%
Blue Star Turnpike
7.83 mi · 18%
Spaulding Turnpike
5.65 mi · 13%
Piscataqua Road
2.98 mi · 7%
State Route 97
1.83 mi · 4%
Main Street
1.33 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 495 North

Merge slight left

13.6 mi · 00h 16m

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 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17 mi
27.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hampton Falls
00h 32m from Salem
Leave By
4:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Salem and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Durham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Salem to Durham?

The road trip is about 44.6 miles (71.8 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?

Hampton Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.3 miles from Salem and 22.3 miles from Durham.

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

The direct path is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17 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 4:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.19 one way or $12.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Salem and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Durham.

Stop Ideas Near Hampton Falls

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Hampton Falls and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall
Scenic stop 12.9 mi away

Old City Hall

Portsmouth , NH
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City Hall,Tourist attraction
Portsmouth City Hall
Meeting point 12.5 mi away

Portsmouth City Hall

Portsmouth , NH
1 Junkins Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Rating 4.5/5 26 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hampton Falls.

RAIL

Exeter station

11 mi away
60 Lincoln Street
BUS

Newburyport, Massachusetts

12 mi away
90 Storey Avenue
BUS

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

17 mi away
185 Grafton Drive
RAIL

Haverhill station

24 mi away
Washington Street at Railroad Square

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Durham. Straight-line distance: 27.61 mi (44.44 km).

Salem

#1 Salem

Town in New Hampshire, United States

Population30,641
Coordinates42.7884200, -71.2008900
Altitude40
CountryUnited States
Durham

#2 Durham

Town in New Hampshire

Population16,441
Coordinates43.1339700, -70.9264500
Altitude15
CountryUnited States
Start: Salem (-71.20089, 42.78842)
End: Durham (-70.92645, 43.13397)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 72 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.57 gal
5.96 L · about $6.19
Round trip
$12.39
3.14 gal · 11.92 L
Estimated CO2
14 kg one way
Round trip: 27.9 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $6.19 $12.39
Mid-grade $4.46 $7.00 $13.99
Premium $4.86 $7.63 $15.25
Diesel $6.00 $9.42 $18.83

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 Salem and Durham. The current time is 22:26:22.

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.