Spaulding Turnpike: A Comprehensive Route Guide
The Spaulding Turnpike serves as a critical transportation artery in New Hampshire, facilitating high-speed travel between the coastal regions and the interior. Running from Portsmouth northward toward Union, this freeway manages a complex network of concurrent routes, including US 4, NH 16, US 202, and NH 11, connecting several key municipalities and commercial hubs.
Key Facts
- Starting Point: Portsmouth, NH, at I-95 northbound Exit 4.
- Concurrent Routes: Shares pavement with US 4, NH 16, US 202, and NH 11 at various segments.
- Speed Limits: Ranges from 55 mph (90 km/h) to 65 mph (105 km/h).
- Major Infrastructure: Includes the Little Bay Bridge and two barrier toll gantries.
- Termination: The turnpike designation ends at Exit 18 near Union, where NH 16 continues north.
Route Overview: From Portsmouth to Dover
The journey begins in Portsmouth, where the turnpike originates at I-95 northbound Exit 4. Drivers coming from I-95 south or the US 1 Bypass can enter via Exit 5 at the Portsmouth Traffic Circle. A specific northbound-only exit also provides access to Brady Drive from the traffic circle.
As the route progresses, it becomes a six-lane freeway concurrent with US 4 and NH 16, maintaining a speed limit of 55 mph (90 km/h). Early exits provide essential access to regional commerce: Exit 1 serves the Newington malls and the Pease International Tradeport, while Exit 3 connects to Woodbury Avenue and the Pease Tradeport via Arboretum Drive. Exit 4 provides access to Newington Village and Shattuck Way.
The route then crosses the Little Bay Bridge into Dover. This structure features seven lanes—three for northbound traffic and four for southbound—and includes a temporary pedestrian and bicycle path on the northbound shoulder.
Navigating Dover and the Central Corridor
In the Dover area, the turnpike has seen significant infrastructure changes. Exit 5, which once served Hilton Park and Wentworth Terrace, was permanently closed on November 28, 2018, to accommodate the permanent northbound alignment. At Exit 6, US 4 departs the turnpike. This location was upgraded to a full-access diamond interchange on November 15, 2019, eliminating previous restrictions that forced drivers to backtrack to Newington to change direction.
North of the first barrier toll gantry, the freeway skirts the west side of downtown Dover. Local access is provided via NH 108 (Exit 7), NH 9 (Exit 8), and Indian Brook Drive (Exit 9), the latter of which hosts a park-and-ride facility. Once past Exit 9, the speed limit increases to 65 mph (105 km/h).
The Missing Exit 10
Travelers may notice a gap in the numbering system, as there is no Exit 10. This omission was intentional, leaving space for a potential future interchange to provide more direct access to Somersworth—a project that has been under consideration since the turnpike's inception in the 1950s.
Rochester and the Northern Terminus
As the turnpike enters Rochester, motorists encounter a second barrier toll. Exit 11 provides northbound-only access to Old Dover Road. North of Exit 12, the freeway expands back to six lanes to bypass downtown Rochester to the west.
The northern section involves several merging routes. US 202 joins at Exit 13, which features a park-and-ride facility established in 2014. NH 11 joins 1.6 miles (2.6 km) further north at Exit 15. Both US 202 and NH 11 eventually depart the turnpike at Exit 16 toward East Rochester.
Immediately following Exit 16, the highway transitions into a two-lane freeway, and the speed limit returns to 55 mph (90 km/h). The route continues into Milton with Exits 17 and 18 providing access to NH 75 and NH 125. The Spaulding Turnpike designation officially ends at Exit 18 near Union, though NH 16 continues northward as a two-lane freeway.
Route Summary Table
| Segment/Exit | Key Access/Feature | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exit 1 | Pease Tradeport / Newington Malls | Early commercial hub |
| Little Bay Bridge | Dover Entry | 7 lanes; temporary bike/ped path |
| Exit 6 | US 4 / Dover Point Road | Full diamond interchange (2019) |
| Exit 9 | Indian Brook Drive | Park and ride facility |
| Exit 13 | US 202 | Park and ride facility (2014) |
| Exit 18 | Union / NH 125 | End of Turnpike designation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there no Exit 10 on the Spaulding Turnpike?
The gap in numbering was designed to allow for the future addition of an interchange providing more direct access to Somersworth, a plan that has been considered since the 1950s.
What happened to Exit 2 and Exit 5?
Exit 2, which served the Mall at Fox Run, was permanently closed on July 19, 2015. Exit 5 was permanently closed on November 28, 2018, when northbound lanes were shifted to a permanent alignment.
Where does the speed limit increase to 65 mph?
The speed limit increases to 65 mph (105 km/h) north of Exit 9 in the Dover area.
How is the Little Bay Bridge configured?
The bridge consists of seven lanes: three for northbound traffic and four for southbound traffic, with a temporary pedestrian and bicycle path located on the northbound shoulder.
Where does the Spaulding Turnpike designation end?
The designation ends at Exit 18 near Union, although the roadway continues north as NH 16.