Origin
Dorset, VT
Night in Dorset on Sunday
Local time
9:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dorset, VT to Colchester, VT
Drive Time
2h 47m
Distance
101.4 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 37m
★
6 AM
2h 48m
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.
Dorset, VT
Phil Ledwith
Colchester, VT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Dorset to Colchester, expect a straightforward journey covering 101.4 miles. You should budget approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes of driving time, making this an ideal one-day excursion. With fuel costs estimated at around $16, the trip is quite economical for a solo driver or a small group. You will primarily navigate via Vermont Route 30, Vermont Route 22A North, and the Ethan Allen Highway. Because the route is contained entirely within the Northeast region of Vermont, you won't experience major climate or time zone shifts. It serves as a practical, efficient connection between these two locations without requiring an overnight stay.
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
50.7 miles from Dorset, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 69% of your time spent on higher-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on Vermont Route 22A North, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 39.2 miles. While the journey transitions through various local segments, the overall character remains functional and consistent. You should anticipate a balance between open stretches and the more deliberate pace of state highways. Staying alert is key, as the mix of road types requires you to adapt your driving style as you move from local routes onto the Ethan Allen Highway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Vermont Route 22A North 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 North and Vermont Route 30. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.4 miles in near CR 24 / North Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 101.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 15.4 miles (CR 24 / North Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 91.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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
15.4 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
CR 24 / North Street
Keep slight left at fork onto CR 24 / North Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
91.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 189: Montpelier, Saint Albans
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right / right lanes.
Toward I 189: Montpelier, Saint Albans
6
93.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 89 North: Winooski, Saint Albans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 89 North: Winooski, Saint Albans
8
97.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward US 2, US 7: Winooski, Colchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 16
Toward US 2, US 7: Winooski, Colchester
5
97.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
|
US 2; US 7 / Roosevelt Highway
Turn right onto US 2; US 7 / Roosevelt Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Dorset, VT to Colchester, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Albans along the way.
Saint Albans
91.6 mi in
|
~2h 30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Route 22A North | 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 | 6.6 mi | 13m |
| I 89 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Roosevelt Highway | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| Main Street | 2.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Vermont Route 22A North
— 39.2 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dorset, VT and Colchester, VT.
1
Start on VT 30
8.2 mi
·
14 min
·
Vermont Route 30
2
Continue on VT 30
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Vermont Route 30
3
Turn left onto VT 149
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Vermont Route 149
4
Continue on NY 149
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Main Street
5
Turn right onto CR 24
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Street
6
Keep slight left at fork onto CR 24
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Street
7
Continue on CR 24
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
8
Turn right onto NY 22A
10 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 22A
9
Continue on VT 22A
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
10
Turn slight left onto VT 22A
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North Park Place
11
Turn right onto VT 22A
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
12
Continue on Vermont Route 22A North
39 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Vermont Route 22A North
13
Continue on VT 22A
1.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
14
Turn right onto Monkton Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Monkton Road
15
Turn left onto US 7
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
U.S. Route 7
16
Continue on US 7
12 mi
·
19 min
·
Ethan Allen Highway
17
Continue on US 7
6.6 mi
·
13 min
·
Shelburne Road
Use the none lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 189: Montpelier, Saint Albans
Use the slight right / right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 189
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 189
Toward I 89
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 89 North: Winooski, Saint Albans
21
Merge onto I 89
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 89
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 16
Toward US 2, US 7: Winooski, Colchester
Use the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto US 2; US 7
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Roosevelt Highway
Use the none lane.
24
Turn slight right onto Main Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
25
Turn left onto East Road
100 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Road
26
Arrive at destination
East Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. You only need to plan for one major stop to break up the nearly three-hour drive, which keeps your travel day simple and manageable. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting, as the $16 estimate is based on typical conditions; having a bit extra in your budget is always a smart move. Because a significant portion of your travel happens on Vermont Route 22A North, be prepared for that long 39.2-mile stretch by ensuring you have your music or podcasts ready to go before you hit the main highway. Take advantage of the route's short duration to arrive in Colchester with plenty of daylight left for your plans.
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 50.7 miles from Dorset, VT, or about 1h 21m 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 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.7 miles or 1h 21m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colchester, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dorset, 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 Dorset, VT
This is one driving day of about 101.4 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dorset, 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 North for about 39.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.7 mi from Dorset, VT · 1h 21m 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
Arriving in Colchester, VT
The final approach into Colchester, 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 Colchester, 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
$16.23 one way
$32.46 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $17.79 | $35.59 |
| premium | $4.83 | $19.27 | $38.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $22.53 | $45.06 |
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: 35.5 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 | $10.65 | $4.87 |
| Efficient EV | 25.4 | 0 | $8.87 | $4.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.6 | 0 | $14.20 | $6.49 |
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
Colchester, VT
Night in Colchester on Sunday
Local time
9:53 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
4 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 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 Dorset, VT to Colchester, VT covers 101.4 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 North, 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 50.7 miles from Dorset, VT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.23 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 demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 101.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.4 miles (CR 24 / North Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 91.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Dorset, VT to Colchester, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Albans along the way.
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