Origin
Berkshire, VT
Late night in Berkshire on Monday
Local time
12:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Berkshire, VT to Essex Junction, VT
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
48.4 mi
78 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 10m
★
6 AM
1h 16m
8 AM
1h 28m
10 AM
1h 20m
12 PM
1h 19m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 27m
8 PM
1h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Berkshire, VT
Andrea Davis
Essex Junction, VT
Dave Luzi, Litchfield CT REALTOR
Trip Overview
Traveling from Berkshire to Essex Junction covers 48.4 miles through the scenic Northeast region of Vermont. You can easily complete this journey in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting around $8 for fuel should comfortably cover your transit across the various segments of the journey. Since the route utilizes a mix of Vermont Route 105, Water Tower Road, and I-89, you will experience a diverse transition between rural stretches and more populated areas. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a day of errands, this drive offers a straightforward connection between these two Northern Vermont locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
24.2 miles from Berkshire, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 48.4-mile trek features a mixed profile, balancing local roads with a significant portion of interstate travel. Approximately 55% of your trip is spent on the highway, providing a steady rhythm before you transition into local driving. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted segment while navigating a 15.3-mile stretch on I-89. The experience shifts from the quieter, winding nature of local routes like Vermont Route 105 to the more predictable, high-speed environment of the interstate. Expect a varied pace behind the wheel as the road surface and traffic patterns evolve throughout the hour-long drive.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 89 is the longest continuous segment at about 15.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
715 ft
156 ft
Total Climb
454 ft
Total Descent
823 ft
Highest Point
715 ft
Elevation Range
559 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 23.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.4 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 23.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
23.9 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the ramp toward I 89
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 89
7
23.9 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 89 South: Burlington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 89 South: Burlington
6
39.7 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward US 2, US 7: Lake Champlain Islands, Colchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 17
Toward US 2, US 7: Lake Champlain Islands, Colc...
4
39.9 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
US 2 / U.S. Route 2
Turn left onto US 2 / U.S. Route 2
Navigation decision point
5
48.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
VT 15 / Main Street
Turn sharp left onto VT 15 / Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Berkshire, VT to Essex Junction, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Colchester along the way.
Colchester
39.7 mi in
|
~59m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 89 | 15.3 mi | 17m |
| Vermont Route 105 | 11.1 mi | 16m |
| Water Tower Road | 4.4 mi | 10m |
| Sheldon Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Main Street | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Roosevelt Highway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Colchester Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Fisher Pond Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 15.3 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Berkshire, VT and Essex Junction, VT.
1
Start on Center Hill Road
100 ft
·
4 sec
·
Center Hill Road
2
Continue on Water Tower Road
4.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Water Tower Road
3
Turn right onto VT 105
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Elm Street
4
Continue on VT 105; VT 108
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Main Street
5
Turn right onto VT 105
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Pearl Street
6
Continue on VT 105
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Vermont Route 105
7
Continue on VT 105
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Sheldon Road
8
Continue on VT 104
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Fisher Pond Road
9
Continue on VT 104
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Fairfax Road
10
Take the ramp
266 ft
·
15 sec
Toward I 89
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 89 South: Burlington
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 89
15 mi
·
17 min
·
I 89
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 17
Toward US 2, US 7: Lake Champlain Islands, Colchester
14
Turn left onto US 2
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
U.S. Route 2
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 2; US 7
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Roosevelt Highway
16
Turn slight left onto VT 2A
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
17
Continue on VT 2A
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Colchester Road
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on VT 2A
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Lincoln Street
19
Turn sharp left onto VT 15
79 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
VT 15
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid potential traffic spikes. With no mandatory stops required for a 1-hour and 15-minute drive, you can plan your day without worrying about lengthy rest breaks. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will stay low, estimated at $8, so simply ensuring your tank is ready before you leave Berkshire is sufficient. For the most efficient transit, pay close attention to the transition points where you move from local roads onto I-89, as these junctions are the primary points of navigation. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Essex Junction feeling refreshed and ready for your next destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 24.2 miles from Berkshire, VT, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 48.4 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.2 miles or 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Essex Junction, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Berkshire, VT so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Berkshire, VT
This is one driving day of about 48.4 miles and 1h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Berkshire, VT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 89 for about 15.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.2 mi from Berkshire, VT · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 48.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.2 miles from Berkshire, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Essex Junction, VT
The final approach into Essex Junction, VT usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Essex Junction, VT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.75 one way
$15.50 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $8.49 | $16.99 |
| premium | $4.83 | $9.20 | $18.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.75 | $21.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.08 | $2.32 |
| Efficient EV | 12.1 | 0 | $4.23 | $1.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.78 | $3.10 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Essex Junction, VT
Late night in Essex Junction on Monday
Local time
12:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 15m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Berkshire, VT to Essex Junction, VT covers 48.4 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 89, Vermont Route 105, Water Tower Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.2 miles from Berkshire, VT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.75 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.4 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Berkshire, VT to Essex Junction, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Colchester along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Essex Junction, VT
More trips to Essex Junction, VT
Explore more options from Berkshire, VT or browse trips ending in Essex Junction, VT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VT road trips.
Explore maps for Berkshire, VT or Essex Junction, VT on MapSof.net.