Origin
Chester, VT
Evening in Chester on Sunday
Local time
8:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chester, VT to South Burlington, VT
Drive Time
2h 41m
Distance
133.3 mi
214 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 31m
★
6 AM
2h 41m
8 AM
3h 2m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 46m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 1m
8 PM
2h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chester, VT
Helena Jankovičová Kováčová
South Burlington, VT
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 133.3 miles, this Vermont excursion connects Chester to South Burlington in approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and efficient, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $21 on fuel as you traverse the Northeast region from south to north. The journey relies heavily on major interstate corridors, making it a reliable choice for travelers who prioritize speed and predictability. Whether you are heading to the city for business or a change of pace, this trip offers a practical transit experience across the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.6 miles from Chester, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 94% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will utilize a combination of Rockingham Road, I-91, and I-89 to cover the distance efficiently. The personality of the route is defined by a significant 87.9-mile stretch on I-89, which serves as the primary backbone of the trip. While the initial segments involve local roads, the interstate sections dominate the drive, offering a consistent and steady pace. Prepare for long, uninterrupted stretches behind the wheel as you navigate the transition from the smaller roads of Chester toward the more urban environment of South Burlington.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 87.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and I 91. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near VT 11 / South Main Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 41m 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 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
VT 11 / South Main Street
Turn right onto VT 11 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
7
9.6 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I 91 North: Springfield, White River Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 91 North: Springfield, White River Jun...
4
44.3 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Take the exit toward I 89 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 89 North
5
44.5 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
I 89
Merge onto I 89
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
132.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward US 2 East: South Burlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 2 East: South Burlington
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Chester, VT to South Burlington, VT, road signs begin pointing toward White River Junction along the way.
White River Junction
9.6 mi in
|
~16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 89 | 87.9 mi | 1h 41m |
| I 91 | 34.6 mi | 40m |
| Rockingham Road | 6.6 mi | 10m |
| Vermont Route 103 South | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Williston Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Grafton Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 87.9 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chester, VT and South Burlington, VT.
1
Start on VT 35
72 ft
·
7 sec
·
Grafton Street
2
Turn right onto VT 11
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
3
Continue on VT 103
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Vermont Route 103 South
4
Continue on VT 103
6.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Rockingham Road
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 91 North: Springfield, White River Junction
6
Merge onto I 91
35 mi
·
40 min
·
I 91
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 89 North
8
Merge onto I 89
88 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 89
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Toward US 2 East: South Burlington
10
Turn slight right onto US 2
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Williston Road
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on US 2
87 ft
·
2 sec
·
Williston Road
12
Arrive at destination
US 2
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You only need to account for one planned stop, which is perfect for stretching your legs or grabbing a quick snack along the interstate. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer highway sections, as services can be spaced out during the 87.9-mile stretch on I-89. To make the most of your travel time, try to avoid peak rush hour traffic when entering the South Burlington area. Having that single stop scheduled halfway through the drive will help keep you alert and comfortable throughout the 2-hour and 41-minute duration.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.6 miles from Chester, VT, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.9 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.6 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Burlington, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chester, 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 Chester, VT
This is one driving day of about 133.3 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chester, VT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 89 for about 87.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.6 mi from Chester, VT · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.6 miles from Chester, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 89 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.9 miles.
Arriving in South Burlington, VT
The final approach into South Burlington, 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 South Burlington, 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
$21.34 one way
$42.68 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $23.39 | $46.78 |
| premium | $4.83 | $25.34 | $50.67 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.61 | $59.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40 | 0 | $14.00 | $6.40 |
| Efficient EV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.66 | $5.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.3 | 0 | $18.66 | $8.53 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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
South Burlington, VT
Evening in South Burlington on Sunday
Local time
8:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°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
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 41m 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 South Burlington, VT covers 133.3 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 89, I 91, Rockingham Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.6 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 $21.34 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 41m 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 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Chester, VT to South Burlington, VT, road signs begin pointing toward White River Junction along the way.
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