How far is Salem, NH from Portsmouth, NH?
The driving distance from Salem, NH to Portsmouth, NH is about 36.5 miles (58.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30 miles (48.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 22m 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 41m.
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.
Town in New Hampshire, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly 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 Salem and Portsmouth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Portsmouth.
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1
Start on the route
34 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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3
Continue on Ayers Village Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Ayers Village Road
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4
Continue on State Route 97
1.8 mi · 4 min · State Route 97
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5
Continue on Broadway
1.3 mi · 3 min · Broadway
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 North: Amesbury, Salisbury
1942 ft · 49 sec
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7
Merge slight left
13.6 mi · 16 min
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8
Merge slight left
6.7 mi · 8 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Blue Star Turnpike
7.8 mi · 9 min · Blue Star Turnpike
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Blue Star Turnpike
1.9 mi · 3 min · Blue Star Turnpike
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11
Take the exit slight right
1313 ft · 35 sec
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12
Turn right onto Market Street
1 mi · 3 min · Market Street
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Congress Street
16 m · 1 sec · Congress Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Congress Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Portsmouth.
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 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.
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Salem and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Portsmouth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Portsmouth?
The road trip is about 36.5 miles (58.8 km) and usually takes 00h 41m 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 18.3 miles from Salem and 18.3 miles from Portsmouth.
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 6.5 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 $5.09 one way or $10.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Salem and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Portsmouth.
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 Salem and Portsmouth. Straight-line distance: 30.01 mi (48.29 km).
#1 Salem
Town in New Hampshire, United States
| Population | 30,641 |
| Coordinates | 42.7884200, -71.2008900 |
| Altitude | 40 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Portsmouth
City in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States
| Population | 21,557 |
| Coordinates | 43.0770400, -70.7576600 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: Congress Street (-70.757617, 43.077054)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 59 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $5.09 | $10.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $5.75 | $11.50 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $6.27 | $12.53 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $7.74 | $15.47 |
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.