Interstate 95: Southbound in New Hampshire

If you’ve ever driven the bustling East Coast corridor, you know Interstate 95 is the backbone connecting Maine to Florida — and New Hampshire’s short stretch is no exception. On this leg, we’ll cruise 16 miles southbound through the Granite State, catching glimpses of coastal charm, historic towns, and that distinct New England vibe that makes I-95 in New Hampshire feel like more than just a connector.

Our southbound ride begins just as we cross the Piscataqua River from Maine, landing us in the vibrant seaport city of Portsmouth. This area is a treat if you have time to exit — think colonial brick buildings, waterfront parks, and the iconic Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse just a short detour away. But staying on the highway still rewards us with views of the tidal estuaries and glimpses of Portsmouth’s outskirts as we quickly hit the interchange with U.S. Highway 4. This route is key for travelers heading inland toward Concord or the scenic Lakes Region.

Continuing south, the highway threads through a largely wooded corridor, buffered from the Atlantic by just a few miles of salt marshes and coastal lowlands. We reach the interchange with NH-101 near Hampton — your gateway to the popular Hampton Beach area, a local favorite for boardwalk strolls, summer concerts, and fried clams by the ocean. Even if you don’t detour, you’ll notice the subtle shift as traffic picks up, especially in summer when beachgoers flood these exits.

South of Hampton, I-95 rolls smoothly through the quieter towns of Hampton Falls and Seabrook. You’ll spot stretches of open fields, the occasional antique barn peeking through the trees, and service plazas that make convenient pit stops before hitting Massachusetts. Seabrook is the last New Hampshire town on this route — and for trivia buffs, it’s also home to New England’s last nuclear power plant. Soon enough, we cross the state line, continuing our journey deeper into New England as we head toward the more urban sprawl of Massachusetts.

Whether you’re riding I-95 for a long haul down the coast or just hopping between coastal towns, this short New Hampshire segment packs in a perfect sampler of seaport energy, coastal byways, and classic New England scenery — all without straying too far from the interstate’s smooth lanes.