New Hampshire driving guide

New Hampshire is often referred to as the Granite State or White Mountain State, mostly due to its impressive granite quarries and stunning mountain landscapes. And what better way to soak up the natural beauty of this New England state than with a scenic drive?

If you’re looking to rent a car in New Hampshire, it’s important you know the state driving rules. This guide covers everything from gas prices to speed limits and toll roads, so you know exactly what to expect when driving in New Hampshire.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages and license requirements
• Essential equipment to carry in your car
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between New Hampshire and other states
• Driving conditions in New Hampshire

Quick rules of the road

• You must also always give way to any vehicles that are part of a funeral procession.
• New Hampshire is the only US state where anyone over 17 years old can legally drive or be driven without a seat belt. Though we recommend wearing one for extra safety precautions.
• Headlights must be turned on when driving in adverse weather conditions like rain, fog, sleet or snow
• Using a cell phone or any other handheld electronic device while driving is prohibited, even while stopped in traffic

Speed limits in New Hampshire

Toll roads in New Hampshire

There are four toll roads in and around New Hampshire. Find out where they are below and see if you need to factor them into your route.

Blue Star Turnpike

This 16-mile-long toll road is part of the I-95 highway and extends from the Massachusetts’ state line to New Hampshire’s border with Maine.

From: Seabrook

To: Portsmouth

Cost for car: $1.40 with E-ZPass or $2.00 cash.

Cost for truck: $1.58 with E-ZPass or $2.25 cash.

How to pay: You can pay with an NH E-ZPass, national pass or with cash. If you forget to pay, you can avoid a fine by making an online payment within seven days.

Spaulding Turnpike

Located in the eastern part of the state, this 33-mile-long road connects Portsmouth with Dover, Rochester and Milton.

From: Portsmouth

To: Union

Cost for car: $1.40 with E-ZPass or $2.00 cash.

Cost for truck: $1.76 with E-ZPass or $2.50 cash.

How to pay: You can also pay with an E-ZPass, national pass or with cash.

F E Everett Turnpike

Also known as the Central Turnpike, the F E Everett Turnpike travels for 44 miles through Concord, Manchester and Nashua.

From: Concord          

To: Nashua

Cost for car: $1.40 with E-ZPass or $2.00 cash.

Cost for truck: $1.76 with E-ZPass or $2.50 cash.

How to pay: E-ZPass, national pass or cash.

Mt. Washington Auto Road

This scenic seven-mile route takes you to the top of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeastern United States. The toll includes access to the park, as well as an exclusive bumper sticker to prove you made it to the top. Just keep in mind that vehicle restrictions may apply.

From: Pinkham Notch           

To: Mount Washington

Cost for car and driver: $39.00 / $45.00 (peak times)

Cost for motorcycle and rider: $25.00

Cost for an adult passenger: $14.00 / $20.00 (peak times)

Cost for a child passenger (5 to 12 years old): $9.00

Cost for children under five: Free

How to pay: You can choose to pay with cash or card on arrival at the Toll House.

Driving ages and license requirements in New Hampshire

• The legal driving age in New Hampshire on a full driving license is 17 years and one month.
• The minimum age to rent a car with Hertz in New Hampshire is 20.

Check out our guide for young drivers to find out more about renting a car with Hertz when you’re under 25 years old.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in New Hampshire

In your vehicle, you must have:

• Your driving license – carrying it while on the road is a legal requirement.
• Form of identification – such as a passport or national ID card.
• Proof of rental agreement – always needed in case of traffic stops.

You may also want to think about carrying:

• A spare tire, car jack, and lug wrench – essential quick repair items that are always handy on long road trips.
• The owner’s manual – provides you with useful information about the car.
• A First aid kit – in an emergency, having a basic kit in your trunk could save the day.
• GPS – a must-have when you travel to unknown areas.

There are certain items that you cannot carry in your Hertz car rental, so check your rental agreement before packing up.

New Hampshire speed violations, infractions, and penalties

Going over the speed limit in New Hampshire typically leads to fines and points added to your driving record. New Hampshire has two speeding laws in place:

• Basic speeding law – this refers to driving above the posted speed limit in dangerous conditions.
• Presumed or “per se” speed limits – if you exceed a presumed speed limit, you will have the chance to prove that you were driving at a safe speed.

All speeding violations in New Hampshire add at least three points to your driving license. The fines are as follow:

Exceeding the Basic Speed: $62 for a first offense and $124 for a second offense.

Exceeding the Presumed Limit:

Driving with children in New Hampshire

These are the car seat requirements in New Hampshire:

• Children under seven must be secured in an approved child seat that is suitable for their size.
• Children under the age of 18 are required to wear a seat belt when riding as a passenger.

Failing to properly restrain a child can result in a fine of $50, or $100 for the second offense. 

Gas prices in New Hampshire

The average gas price in New Hampshire is $3.81 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Ford Focus, that’s about $0.10 per mile
• For a larger family car like a Nissan Maxima, it works out at $0.14 per mile
• And for an SUV like a Chevrolet Equinox, it’s around $0.16 per mile

Gas price figure last updated November 10, 2022. 

Electric car charging in New Hampshire

There are over 310 public EV charging stations in New Hampshire, predominantly located around the state capital Concord and in the Manchester-Nashua area. 

Driving between New Hampshire and other states

When you rent a car with Hertz, you can drive between New Hampshire and its neighboring states. Travel down south to explore Massachusetts or head to the west to visit Vermont. Drive north to find Maine, and if you go even further, you can cross the Canadian border into Quebec province.

Opt for a one-way rental to be able to drop your rental car off at a different location.

Driving conditions in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has a humid continental climate, with cold, snowy winters and mild summers. Temperatures generally range from 12°F in the winter to 80°F in the summer, with the northern regions generally being colder than the south.

You can expect frequent rainfall caused by the jet stream and strong arctic winds. Though the weather pattern is varied, so check conditions and forecasts before you drive.