Origin
Colchester, VT
Night in Colchester on Sunday
Local time
9:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colchester, VT to Dorset, VT
Drive Time
2h 47m
Distance
101.2 mi
163 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 36m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colchester, VT
Wikimedia Commons
Dorset, VT
Phil Ledwith
Trip Overview
Traveling from Colchester to Dorset covers 101.2 miles of Vermont’s classic landscape. You should plan for a drive time of approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes, making this an ideal one-day excursion. Budget roughly $16 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily follows the Ethan Allen Highway, Vermont Route 22A, and Vermont Route 30. Whether you are heading south for a change of pace or a weekend getaway, the trip is straightforward enough to handle in a single session without needing an overnight stop.
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
50.6 miles from Colchester, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 69% of the route utilizing major thoroughfares. You will find yourself behind the wheel for long, consistent stretches, including a 39.2-mile run specifically on Vermont Route 22A. While the road is designed for efficiency, the transition between these major routes keeps the experience from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Expect a steady, predictable pace as you navigate through the Northeast region. The infrastructure is well-suited for travelers looking to move between these two Vermont towns with minimal complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Vermont Route 22A is the longest continuous segment at about 39.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Vermont Route 22A and Vermont Route 30. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near Main Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 101.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.8 miles (Main Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Main Street
Keep slight left at fork onto Main Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
4.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 89 South: Burlington
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 89 South: Burlington
5
8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 189 West: Shelburne, Rutland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 189 West: Shelburne, Rutland
5
8.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 189
Merge onto I 189
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
9.4 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
US 7 / Shelburne Road
Turn left onto US 7 / Shelburne Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Colchester, VT to Dorset, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Rutland along the way.
Rutland
8 mi in
|
~13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Route 22A | 39.2 mi | 1h 1m |
| Vermont Route 30 | 13.5 mi | 23m |
| Ethan Allen Highway | 12.3 mi | 19m |
| State Highway 22A | 10.2 mi | 15m |
| Shelburne Road | 6.8 mi | 13m |
| Main Street | 5.6 mi | 12m |
| I 89 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Roosevelt Highway | 3.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Vermont Route 22A
— 39.2 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colchester, VT and Dorset, VT.
1
Start on East Road
100 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Road
2
Turn right onto VT 2A
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Keep slight left at fork onto Main Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Main Street
4
Turn slight left onto US 2; US 7
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Roosevelt Highway
Use the none lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 89 South: Burlington
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 89
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 89
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 189 West: Shelburne, Rutland
8
Merge onto I 189
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 189
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 7
6.8 mi
·
13 min
·
Shelburne Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on US 7
12 mi
·
19 min
·
Ethan Allen Highway
11
Continue on US 7
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
U.S. Route 7
12
Turn right onto Monkton Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Monkton Road
13
At end of road, turn left onto VT 22A
1.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
14
Continue on VT 22A
39 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Vermont Route 22A
15
Continue on VT 22A
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
16
Turn left onto VT 22A
282 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Park Place
17
Continue on VT 22A
318 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Park Place
18
Continue on VT 4A; VT 22A
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
19
Continue on NY 22A
10 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 22A
20
Turn left onto CR 24
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
21
Continue on CR 24
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Street
22
At end of road, turn left onto NY 149
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Main Street
23
Continue on VT 149
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Vermont Route 149
24
At end of road, turn right onto VT 30
13 mi
·
23 min
·
Vermont Route 30
25
Arrive at destination
VT 30
Trip Plan
Since the journey is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage the trip without significant fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $16 estimate is based on typical conditions and could fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prepare for the transition between the Ethan Allen Highway and Vermont Route 30, as the change in road type can shift the driving rhythm. Prioritizing a steady pace will help you reach Dorset comfortably within the expected timeframe.
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 50.6 miles from Colchester, VT, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.2 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 2h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.6 miles or 1h 25m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dorset, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colchester, 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 Colchester, VT
This is one driving day of about 101.2 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colchester, 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 Vermont Route 22A for about 39.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.6 mi from Colchester, VT · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 50.6 miles from Colchester, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dorset, VT
The final approach into Dorset, 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 Dorset, 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
$16.20 one way
$32.40 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $17.76 | $35.52 |
| premium | $4.83 | $19.24 | $38.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $22.48 | $44.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.63 | $4.86 |
| Efficient EV | 25.3 | 0 | $8.86 | $4.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.17 | $6.48 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Dorset, VT
Night in Dorset on Sunday
Local time
9:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
4 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
2h 47m 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 Dorset, VT covers 101.2 miles and takes about 2h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Vermont Route 22A, Vermont Route 30, Ethan Allen Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50.6 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 $16.20 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 101.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.8 miles (Main Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Colchester, VT to Dorset, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Rutland along the way.
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