How far is Thornton, NH from Rochester, NH?
The driving distance from Thornton, NH to Rochester, NH is about 72.4 miles (116.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 53.7 miles (86.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 56m 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 28m.
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 Snow Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Rochester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Rochester.
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1
Start on Daniel Webster Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Daniel Webster Highway
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2
Take the ramp slight right toward I 93 South
2000 ft · 49 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Styles Bridges Highway
31.3 mi · 34 min · Styles Bridges Highway
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4
Take the exit slight right toward US 3, NH 11: Laconia, Tilton
1853 ft · 55 sec
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Laconia Road
1546 ft · 47 sec · Laconia Road
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6
Turn right onto Tilton Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Tilton Road
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7
Continue on Depot Street
2.9 mi · 5 min · Depot Street
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8
Continue on Main Street
1094 ft · 31 sec · Main Street
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9
Continue on State Route 140
1135 ft · 34 sec · State Route 140
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10
Continue on Gilmanton Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Gilmanton Road
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11
Continue on New Hampshire Route 140
10 mi · 18 min · New Hampshire Route 140
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12
Continue on Frank C. Gilman Highway
3.7 mi · 7 min · Frank C. Gilman Highway
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13
Continue on Factory Street
2617 ft · 1 min · Factory Street
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14
At the end of the road, turn right onto Main Street
3036 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
605 ft · 17 sec
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16
Exit the roundabout
14.7 mi · 23 min
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17
Continue on North Main Street
1 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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18
Continue on North Main Street
38 m · 3 sec · North Main Street
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Strafford Square Roundabout
39 m · 3 sec · North Main Street
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20
Exit the rotary onto North Main Street
2289 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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21
Turn slight left
46 m · 4 sec
-
22
Turn slight left onto Wakefield Street
42 m · 5 sec · Wakefield Street
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23
Turn right onto Museum Way
37 m · 5 sec · Museum Way
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24
Turn right
17 m · 4 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Rochester.
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.
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 Snow Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Thornton and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Rochester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Rochester?
The road trip is about 72.4 miles (116.5 km) and usually takes 01h 28m 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 36.2 miles from Thornton and 36.2 miles from Rochester.
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 18.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.06 one way or $20.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Thornton and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Rochester.
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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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Rochester. Straight-line distance: 53.67 mi (86.37 km).
#1 Thornton
Town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States
| Population | 2,553 |
| Coordinates | 43.8928500, -71.6759100 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rochester
City in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States
| Population | 31,719 |
| Coordinates | 43.3045300, -70.9756200 |
| Altitude | 70 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-70.975483, 43.304656)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 116 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $10.06 | $20.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $11.37 | $22.73 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $12.39 | $24.78 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $15.29 | $30.58 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.