Origin
Essex Junction, VT
Evening in Essex Junction on Sunday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Essex Junction, VT to Hartland, VT
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
97.4 mi
157 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Essex Junction, VT
Dave Luzi, Litchfield CT REALTOR
Hartland, VT
Marta Wave
Trip Overview
Connecting Essex Junction to Hartland, this 97.4-mile trip is a straightforward journey through the heart of Vermont. Clocking in at approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes, the route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget about $16 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Northeast locations. Because the drive is relatively short and efficient, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you have other commitments. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick change of scenery, the simplicity of this trip makes it a reliable choice for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
48.7 miles from Essex Junction, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 95% of your travel time will be spent on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-89, which accounts for a single, 82.9-mile stretch of the journey. The remainder of the route navigates via I-91 and Essex Road to complete the transition. This is primarily a highway-focused drive, meaning you can anticipate a consistent pace rather than the stop-and-go nature of local backroads. It is a functional, streamlined path that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, secondary routes.
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 82.9 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 around 3.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 56m 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: at 3.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 86.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
86.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 91: Brattleboro, White River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 91: Brattleboro, White River
6
87.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 91 South: Brattleboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 91 South: Brattleboro
6
96.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward US 5, VT 12: Hartland, Windsor
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 9
Toward US 5, VT 12: Hartland, Windsor
4
96.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
US 5; VT 12 / U.S. Route 5
Turn right onto US 5; VT 12 / U.S. Route 5
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Essex Junction, VT to Hartland, VT, road signs begin pointing toward White River along the way.
White River
86.9 mi in
|
~1h 43m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 89 | 82.9 mi | 1h 35m |
| I 91 | 9 mi | 10m |
| Essex Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| U.S. Route 5 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Saint George Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Park Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 82.9 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex Junction, VT and Hartland, VT.
1
Start on VT 15
79 ft
·
5 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto VT 2A
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Park Street
3
Continue on VT 2A
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Essex Road
4
Continue on VT 2A
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint George Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
6
Merge onto I 89
83 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
I 89
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 91: Brattleboro, White River
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 91 South: Brattleboro
9
Merge onto I 91
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
I 91
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 9
Toward US 5, VT 12: Hartland, Windsor
11
Turn right onto US 5; VT 12
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
U.S. Route 5
12
Arrive at destination
US 5; VT 12
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick sub-two-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about complex stop planning, as the duration is manageable without mandatory breaks. Keep in mind that with nearly the entire trip occurring on high-speed interstates, it is best to check for any major traffic updates on I-89 before you head out. Because you are traversing 97.4 miles of mostly interstate, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving Essex Junction to avoid unnecessary stops along the highway. Use the direct nature of this route to your advantage by planning your arrival to hit Hartland exactly when you need to be there.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.7 miles from Essex Junction, VT, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.9 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.7 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hartland, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Essex Junction, 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 Essex Junction, VT
This is one driving day of about 97.4 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Essex Junction, VT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 89 for about 82.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.7 mi from Essex Junction, VT · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 48.7 miles from Essex Junction, 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 82.9 miles.
Arriving in Hartland, VT
The final approach into Hartland, 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 Hartland, 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
$15.59 one way
$31.18 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $17.09 | $34.18 |
| premium | $4.83 | $18.51 | $37.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.64 | $43.28 |
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: 34.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.23 | $4.68 |
| Efficient EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.52 | $3.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39 | 0 | $13.64 | $6.23 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Hartland, VT
Evening in Hartland on Sunday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
51°F
Peru, NY
49 mi in
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
6 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
1h 56m 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 Essex Junction, VT to Hartland, VT covers 97.4 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 89, I 91, Essex 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 48.7 miles from Essex Junction, VT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.59 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 is a straightforward 1h 56m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 86.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Essex Junction, VT to Hartland, VT, road signs begin pointing toward White River along the way.
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