Trip from Essex Junction, VT to Lincoln, VT

Drive Time

49m

Distance

30.3 mi

49 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$5

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 12 min
4 AM
0h 46m ★
6 AM
0h 50m
8 AM
0h 58m
10 AM
0h 53m
12 PM
0h 52m
3 PM
0h 53m
5 PM
0h 58m
8 PM
0h 47m

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

Downtown Essex Junction, VT, VT

Essex Junction, VT

Dave Luzi, Litchfield CT REALTOR

Downtown Lincoln, VT, VT

Lincoln, VT

www.kaboompics.com

Trip Overview

Traveling from Essex Junction to Lincoln, Vermont, covers a manageable 30.3 miles that typically takes about 49 minutes to complete. This trip is perfectly suited for a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $5, it remains an affordable outing for those exploring the Northeast region. The path utilizes a combination of Vermont Route 116, North 116 Road, and Saint George Road to navigate the landscape. Because the distance is relatively short, you gain the flexibility to spend your time exactly how you prefer once you arrive in Lincoln.

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

15.2 miles from Essex Junction, VT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions across different road types throughout your 49-minute journey. You will spend about 53% of your time on highways, though the route maintains a balanced feel between faster stretches and local roads. The longest uninterrupted portion of the trip occurs over 14.2 miles on Vermont Route 116, which serves as the primary backbone of your travel. As you progress, the road character shifts, requiring you to stay attentive as you move between the various designated routes. It is a straightforward drive that avoids the monotony of a long interstate haul while providing a consistent pace.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Vermont Route 116 is the longest continuous segment at about 14.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 8.6 miles in near VT 116 / Vermont Route 116.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Essex Junction, VT to Lincoln, VT is easy. At 49m with 53% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 8.6 miles (VT 116 / Vermont Route 116): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.9 miles (Lincoln Road): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

2 of 2 key points

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

6
8.6 mi into trip | ~14m in | VT 116 / Vermont Route 116

At end of road, turn left onto VT 116 / Vermont Route 116

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
3
26.9 mi into trip | ~41m in | Lincoln Road

Turn left onto Lincoln Road

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Vermont Route 116 14.2 mi 21m
North 116 Road 4.1 mi 6m
Saint George Road 3.7 mi 5m
West River Road 2.3 mi 5m
Essex Road 2.2 mi 3m
Vermont Route 2A 2 mi 2m
Lincoln Road 1.1 mi 2m
Park Street 0.7 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Vermont Route 116 — 14.2 mi, about 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Essex Junction, VT and Lincoln, 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

3.7 mi · 5 min · Saint George Road
5

Continue on VT 2A

2.0 mi · 2 min · Vermont Route 2A
6

At end of road, turn left onto VT 116

14 mi · 21 min · Vermont Route 116
Use the left lane.
7

Continue on VT 116

4.1 mi · 6 min · North 116 Road
8

Turn left onto Lincoln Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Road
9

Continue on West River Road

2.3 mi · 5 min · West River Road
10

Turn left onto Quaker Street

161 ft · 11 sec · Quaker Street
11

Arrive at destination

Quaker Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a quick 30.3-mile trip, you have plenty of freedom to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. You likely won't need to worry about mid-trip rest stops, but keeping your fuel tank topped off before you leave Essex Junction is a smart way to keep your $5 estimate accurate. Pay close attention to the transition points between Saint George Road and Vermont Route 116 to ensure you stay on the most efficient path. Because there are zero formal stops scheduled along the way, make sure to handle any personal needs before you head out. Taking advantage of the route's short duration allows you to maximize your time in Lincoln rather than spending your day behind the wheel.

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 15.2 miles from Essex Junction, VT, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.2 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 30.3 miles or 49m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 15.2 miles or 23m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lincoln, 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 30.3 miles and 49m.

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 Vermont Route 116 for about 14.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 15.2 mi from Essex Junction, VT · 23m into the drive

Downtown Peru, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Peru, NY

15 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

Peru, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peru, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 15.2 miles from Essex Junction, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Lincoln, VT

The final approach into Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, 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

$4.85 one way

$9.70 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 11 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $5.32 $10.63
premium $4.83 $5.76 $11.52
diesel $5.64 $6.73 $13.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$30–$55

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 10.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 9.1 0 $3.18 $1.45
Efficient EV 7.6 0 $2.65 $1.21
EV Truck/SUV 12.1 0 $4.24 $1.94

Gas CO2

11 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (64% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Essex Junction, VT

Night in Essex Junction on Sunday

Local time

9:56 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lincoln, VT

Night in Lincoln on Sunday

Local time

9:56 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

51°F

Peru, NY

15 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

16 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

49m 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 Lincoln, VT covers 30.3 miles and takes about 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Vermont Route 116, North 116 Road, Saint George Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.2 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 $4.85 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.
The drive from Essex Junction, VT to Lincoln, VT is easy. At 49m with 53% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.6 miles (VT 116 / Vermont Route 116): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.9 miles (Lincoln Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Essex Junction, VT to Lincoln, VT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Lincoln, VT to Essex Junction, VT

Plan the drive back the other way.

30.3 mi 49m

Explore more options from Essex Junction, VT or browse trips ending in Lincoln, VT.

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