Origin
Chester, VT
Late night in Chester on Friday
Local time
12:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chester, VT to Bennington, VT
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
52 mi
84 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chester, VT
Wikimedia Commons
Bennington, VT
Andrea Davis
Trip Overview
Spanning 52 miles, this direct route from Chester to Bennington takes approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a single day, making it an ideal choice for travelers who prefer a quick transition between these two Vermont towns. You can expect a modest fuel cost of around $8 for the journey, allowing for a budget-friendly transit. Because the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics or complex planning. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, this route provides a reliable connection within the Northeast region.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 52 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 85% of this journey is spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate using a combination of Vermont Route 11 and U.S. Route 7 to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 22.5 miles on U.S. Route 7, which allows for a steady pace behind the wheel. While the road transitions through different segments, the route maintains a consistent feel that favors efficiency over technical, winding backroads. Overall, the drive is designed for those who want to reach Bennington without unnecessary detours or complicated navigation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
U.S. Route 7 is the longest continuous segment at about 22.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Route 7 and Vermont Route 11. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near VT 11 / Main Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 19m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (VT 11 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 28.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 28.4 miles (US 7 / U.S. Route 7): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
VT 11 / Main Street
Turn left onto VT 11 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
3
28.1 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Take the ramp toward US 7 South: Bennington
Navigation decision point
Toward US 7 South: Bennington
3
28.4 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
US 7 / U.S. Route 7
Merge onto US 7 / U.S. Route 7
Merge point - match speed before joining
3
50 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
US 7; VT 279 / Bennington Bypass
Merge onto US 7; VT 279 / Bennington Bypass
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
50.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
US 7 / U.S. Route 7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 7 / U.S. Route 7 toward US 7 South: Bennington Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 7 South: Bennington Downtown
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Route 7 | 22.5 mi | 30m |
| Vermont Route 11 | 17.1 mi | 26m |
| Vermont Route 11 West | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Simonsville Road | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Depot Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Route 7
— 22.5 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chester, VT and Bennington, VT.
1
Start on VT 35
72 ft
·
7 sec
·
Grafton Street
2
Turn left onto VT 11
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on VT 11
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Vermont Route 11 West
4
Continue on VT 11
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Simonsville Road
5
Continue on VT 11
5.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Vermont Route 11
6
Continue on VT 100; VT 11
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Main Street
7
Continue on VT 11
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Vermont Route 11
8
Continue on VT 11; VT 30
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Depot Street
9
Continue on VT 11; VT 30
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Depot Street
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward US 7 South: Bennington
11
Merge onto US 7
22 mi
·
29 min
·
U.S. Route 7
12
Merge onto US 7; VT 279
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Bennington Bypass
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 7
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
U.S. Route 7
Toward US 7 South: Bennington Downtown
14
Continue on US 7
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Street
15
Turn right onto Depot Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Depot Street
16
Turn left onto VT 9
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Main Street
17
Arrive at destination
VT 9
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26 mi from Chester, VT · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26 miles from Chester, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bennington, VT
The final approach into Bennington, VT usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.37 one way
$16.74 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $9.21 | $18.42 |
| premium | $4.86 | $9.96 | $19.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.48 | $22.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.46 | $2.50 |
| Efficient EV | 13 | 0 | $4.55 | $2.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.28 | $3.33 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% 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
Bennington, VT
Late night in Bennington on Friday
Local time
12:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
39°F
Manchester, VT
26 mi in
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
17 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 19m 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 Chester, VT to Bennington, VT covers 52 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are U.S. Route 7, Vermont Route 11, Vermont Route 11 West. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26 miles from Chester, VT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.37 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 is a straightforward 1h 19m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (VT 11 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 28.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 28.4 miles (US 7 / U.S. Route 7): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from Chester, VT to Bennington, VT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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