Origin
Dorset, VT
Night in Dorset on Sunday
Local time
9:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dorset, VT to Essex Junction, VT
Drive Time
2h 44m
Distance
100.2 mi
161 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 34m
★
6 AM
2h 44m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 52m
12 PM
2h 50m
3 PM
2h 53m
5 PM
3h 5m
8 PM
2h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dorset, VT
Phil Ledwith
Essex Junction, VT
Dave Luzi, Litchfield CT REALTOR
Trip Overview
If you are planning a journey from Dorset to Essex Junction, you are looking at a 100.2-mile trek that typically takes about 2 hours and 44 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to easily complete the transit without needing an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for this Vermont excursion. By utilizing a combination of Vermont Route 30, Vermont Route 22A North, and the Ethan Allen Highway, you will navigate through the heart of the Northeast. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a straightforward connection between these two Vermont locations.
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
50.1 miles from Dorset, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 100.2-mile journey is heavily highway-focused, with 69% of the route consisting of higher-speed driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on these main roads, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 39.2 miles along Vermont Route 22A North. Because the route relies on a mix of state routes and the Ethan Allen Highway, the experience behind the wheel is consistent rather than overly technical. While you transition between these roads, the drive maintains a steady flow that helps you cover the distance efficiently. It is a practical path that prioritizes movement over winding local detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 15.4 miles in near CR 24 / North Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 100.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 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 91.9 miles (I 189): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 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
4
91.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
|
I 189
Merge onto I 189 toward I 89
Merge point - match speed before joining
Toward I 89
5
92.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 89 South: Williston, Montpelier
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 89 South: Williston, Montpelier
6
96.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward VT 2A: Williston, Essex Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward VT 2A: Williston, Essex Junction
Towns Along This Route
Between Dorset, VT and Essex Junction, VT, road signs point toward Saint Albans and Montpelier.
Saint Albans
91.6 mi in
|
~2h 30m
Montpelier
92.9 mi in
|
~2h 32m
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 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Essex Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| South Main Street | 1.9 mi | 2m |
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 Essex Junction, 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
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 189
Toward I 89
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 89 South: Williston, Montpelier
21
Merge onto I 89
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 89
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 12
Toward VT 2A: Williston, Essex Junction
23
Turn left onto VT 2A
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint George Road
24
Continue on VT 2A
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Essex Road
25
Continue on VT 2A
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Park Street
26
Turn slight right onto VT 15
79 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
VT 15
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than rushing to beat the clock. With only one recommended stop planned, you can easily manage your fatigue and keep your focus sharp for the duration of the 2-hour and 44-minute drive. Be mindful of your fuel consumption, as budgeting $16 is a solid baseline for this distance. Before heading out, ensure you are comfortable navigating the transition between Vermont Route 30 and the longer stretches of Route 22A North. Taking a brief break during your designated stop will help you stay alert as you transition onto the Ethan Allen Highway for the final leg of your trip.
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 50.1 miles from Dorset, VT, or about 1h 20m 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 50.1 miles or 1h 20m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Essex Junction, 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 100.2 miles and 2h 44m.
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 50.1 mi from Dorset, VT · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 Essex Junction, VT
The final approach into Essex Junction, 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 Essex Junction, 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
$16.04 one way
$32.08 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $17.58 | $35.16 |
| premium | $4.83 | $19.05 | $38.09 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $22.26 | $44.52 |
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: 35.1 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 | 30.1 | 0 | $10.52 | $4.81 |
| Efficient EV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.77 | $4.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.03 | $6.41 |
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
Essex Junction, VT
Night in Essex Junction on Sunday
Local time
9:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
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
2h 44m 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 Essex Junction, VT covers 100.2 miles and takes about 2h 44m 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 50.1 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 $16.04 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 100.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 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 91.9 miles (I 189): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Between Dorset, VT and Essex Junction, VT, road signs point toward Saint Albans and Montpelier.
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