Route 1B Ends

North End, at US 1 in Portsmouth

The north end of Route 1B is unclear. The NH route log simply states it is at "US 1, Portsmouth". But does it follow Marcy St. or Pleasant St. in Portsmouth? If you are headed northbound on Marcy St., you may not notice an intersection that has been reconfigured so that going straight puts you on Pleasant St., and you'd have to make a right turn to stay on Marcy St. There are no 1B shields on either Marcy or Pleasant St. past this intersection.

A few blocks later, if you follow Pleasant St., you'll reach US 1, which is a one-way couplet on State St. and Daniel St./ Congress St. If you follow Marcy St. instead, you'll come out on Harbor Place, which is a loop that starts at US 1 northbound on State St., then crosses under US 1 as it climbs to Memorial Bridge, then ends at Daniel St., which is US 1 southbound. Now between the reconfigured intersection, and the contortions you have to make if you want to take US 1 north into Maine from Marcy St., it would make sense that NH 1B must follow Pleasant St., right? Well, look at the first photo. It is on Pleasant St. southbound, upon reaching the Pleasant St./ Marcy St. intersection. It states you must either go straight or make a left to travel on 1B. (Both ways are onto Marcy St.) In other words, if this sign is accurate, 1B follows Marcy St. Online maps aren't much help, some place 1B on Pleasant St., others on Marcy St.


Intersection of Pleasant St. and State St. (US 1 northbound)

Pleasant St. and Daniel St. (to the right) and Congress St (left). Daniel and Congress Streets are US 1 southbound here.

On State St. (US 1 NB) with Pleasant St. to the right.

Intersection of Marcy St. and Harbor Pl. US 1 is on the grassy berm, rising to Memorial Bridge.


Harbor Pl. goes under US1.

Harbor Pl. rising to meet Daniel St. (US 1 SB, on the left)

Looking down Marcy St. southbound from Harbor Pl.

South End, at 1A in Portsmouth

1A North, just before 1B intersection.

At 1A/1B intersection.

First reassurance shield for Route 1B.