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Trip from Colchester, VT to Barre, VT

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 3m

Distance

46.4 mi

75 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min
4 AM
0h 58m ★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 14m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Colchester, VT, VT

Colchester, VT

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Barre, VT, VT

Barre, VT

Selim Karadayı

Trip Overview

Traveling between Colchester and Barre is a straightforward 46.4-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 3 minutes. Because this is a short trip, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your travel budget is quite modest, as you should expect to spend roughly $7 on fuel for the entire distance. Since both towns are located within the Northeast region of Vermont, you will experience a consistent atmosphere throughout the drive. This route is ideal for those who prioritize efficiency and a quick connection between these two Vermont communities.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 3m. Total distance: 46.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a highway-focused drive that relies heavily on major infrastructure, with 84% of your travel occurring on interstates and state routes. You will primarily navigate via I-89, Vermont Route 289, and Vermont Route 62 to reach your destination. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel will be spent on a 27.4-mile stretch along I-89, which provides a consistent, high-speed experience. Transitioning from the local roads onto the interstate makes for a very predictable drive, allowing you to settle in once you reach the primary highway segments.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 27.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and Vermont Route 289. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near VT 289 / Vermont Route 289.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 46.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 2.5 miles (VT 289 / Vermont Route 289): Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (VT 117 / River Road): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
2.5 mi into trip | ~4m in | VT 289 / Vermont Route 289

Turn left onto VT 289 / Vermont Route 289 toward VT 289 East

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward VT 289 East
5
7 mi into trip | ~11m in | VT 117 / River Road

At end of road, turn left onto VT 117 / River Road toward US 2, VT 289 West: Richmond

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 2, VT 289 West: Richmond
6
40.8 mi into trip | ~53m in

Take the exit toward VT 62: Berlin, Barre

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 7 Toward VT 62: Berlin, Barre
5
46.3 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in | Prospect Street

Turn right onto Prospect Street

Navigation decision point

5
46.4 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 89 27.4 mi 31m
Vermont Route 289 4.5 mi 7m
Vermont Route 62 4.4 mi 6m
River Road 3.2 mi 5m
Vermont Route 117 2.8 mi 4m
Main Street 1.5 mi 2m
Colchester Road 1 mi 1m
North Main Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 89 — 27.4 mi, about 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colchester, VT and Barre, VT.

1

Start on East Road

100 ft · 9 sec · East Road
2

Turn left onto VT 2A

1.5 mi · 2 min · Main Street
3

Continue on VT 2A

1.0 mi · 1 min · Colchester Road
Use the left lane.
4

Turn left onto VT 289

4.5 mi · 7 min · Vermont Route 289
Toward VT 289 East Use the left lane.
5

At end of road, turn left onto VT 117

2.4 mi · 3 min · River Road
Toward US 2, VT 289 West: Richmond
6

Continue on VT 117

2.8 mi · 4 min · Vermont Route 117
7

Continue on VT 117

0.8 mi · 1 min · River Road
8

At end of road, turn left onto US 2

0.3 mi · 36 sec · West Main Street
9

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 15 sec
10

Merge onto I 89

27 mi · 31 min · I 89
11

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 7 Toward VT 62: Berlin, Barre
12

Continue on VT 62

1.3 mi · 1 min · Vermont Route 62
13

Keep slight left at fork onto VT 62

3.1 mi · 4 min · Vermont Route 62
14

Turn right onto US 302; VT 14

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
15

Continue on VT 14

387 ft · 15 sec · North Main Street
Toward VT 14 South
16

Turn right onto Prospect Street

187 ft · 7 sec · Prospect Street
17

Turn right

172 ft · 12 sec
18

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 23.2 mi from Colchester, VT · 33m into the drive

town in Chittenden County, Vermont, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bolton, VT

23 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

Williston, VT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bolton, VT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 23.2 miles from Colchester, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Barre, VT

The final approach into Barre, 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

$7.47 one way

$14.94 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $8.22 $16.44
premium $4.86 $8.89 $17.77
diesel $5.61 $10.24 $20.49

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$7

Estimated CO2 emission: 16.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 13.9 0 $4.87 $2.23
Efficient EV 11.6 0 $4.06 $1.86
EV Truck/SUV 18.6 0 $6.50 $2.97

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (69% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Colchester, VT

Evening in Colchester on Thursday

Local time

7:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Barre, VT

Evening in Barre on Thursday

Local time

7:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

36°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

37°F

Bolton, VT

23 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

3 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

1h 3m 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 Colchester, VT to Barre, VT covers 46.4 miles and takes about 1h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 89, Vermont Route 289, Vermont Route 62. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.2 miles from Colchester, VT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.47 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 46.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 2.5 miles (VT 289 / Vermont Route 289): Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (VT 117 / River Road): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Colchester, VT to Barre, VT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Barre, VT to Colchester, VT

Plan the drive back the other way.

45.7 mi 51m

Explore more options from Colchester, VT or browse trips ending in Barre, VT.

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