Origin
Essex Junction, VT
Night in Essex Junction on Sunday
Local time
9:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Essex Junction, VT to Ludlow, VT
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
94.3 mi
152 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 20m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m
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
Ludlow, VT
Stepan Vrany
Trip Overview
Traveling from Essex Junction to Ludlow covers 94.3 miles, making for a manageable 2-hour and 30-minute journey through the heart of Vermont. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, as the duration is well-suited for a straightforward excursion. Budget approximately $15 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Northeast locations. Navigating this route involves a combination of local streets like Franklin Street, Vermont Route 116, and Vermont Route 103. Whether you are heading south for a weekend getaway or a quick business trip, this drive offers a practical way to traverse the state without requiring an overnight split.
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
47.1 miles from Essex Junction, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed-drive profile, keeping the pace varied as you transition between different types of roads. With a highway share of 38 percent, you will experience a blend of faster stretches and more technical local driving. The longest uninterrupted section lasts for 18.8 miles while traveling on Vermont Route 103, providing a consistent rhythm during the middle portion of your journey. You should expect the character of the road to shift as you move away from the Essex Junction area and navigate through the regional landscape toward Ludlow. It is a drive that demands steady attention rather than a monotonous interstate grind.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Vermont Route 103 is the longest continuous segment at about 18.8 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
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Essex Junction, VT to Ludlow, VT is easy. At 2h 30m with 38% 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 29.6 miles (VT 116 / South 116 Road): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles (US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
4 of 4 key pointsThese 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
29.6 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
VT 116 / South 116 Road
Turn left onto VT 116 / South 116 Road
Navigation decision point
4
41.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South
At end of road, turn left onto US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South
Navigation decision point
5
74.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
|
VT 103 / Vermont Route 103
Turn left onto VT 103 / Vermont Route 103
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Route 103 | 18.8 mi | 28m |
| Vermont Route 116 | 14.2 mi | 21m |
| Franklin Street | 14.1 mi | 23m |
| Ethan Allen Highway | 10.9 mi | 16m |
| North Main Street | 6.3 mi | 10m |
| Case Street | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| South 116 Road | 5.5 mi | 8m |
| North 116 Road | 4.1 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Vermont Route 103
— 18.8 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex Junction, VT and Ludlow, 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
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Rockydale Road
9
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Street
10
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Main Street
11
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
West Street
12
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Stony Hill Road
13
Turn left onto VT 116
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South 116 Road
14
Continue on VT 116
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
South 116 Road
15
Continue on VT 116
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Case Street
16
Turn right onto VT 116
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Ossie Road
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 7
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
U.S. Route 7 South
18
Continue on US 7
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Ethan Allen Highway
19
Continue on US 7; VT 73
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Conant Square
20
Continue on US 7; VT 73
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Center Street
21
Continue on US 7
14 mi
·
23 min
·
Franklin Street
22
Continue on US 7
6.3 mi
·
10 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto VT 103
19 mi
·
28 min
·
Vermont Route 103
Use the none lane.
24
Continue on VT 103; VT 100
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Pond Street
25
Turn slight left onto VT 103; VT 100
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
VT 103
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple since the 2-hour and 30-minute duration offers plenty of flexibility for a single-day itinerary. Because the route is relatively short, you only need to account for one stop to refuel or stretch your legs comfortably. Keep in mind that with $15 in fuel costs, it is wise to check your levels before leaving to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the mix of local roads and highways, stay alert for changing speed limits as you transition onto Vermont Route 116. Utilize the 18.8-mile stretch on Vermont Route 103 to maintain a steady pace, as this is the longest segment of your drive where you can settle into a consistent driving rhythm.
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 47.1 miles from Essex Junction, VT, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.8 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 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.1 miles or 1h 13m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ludlow, 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 94.3 miles and 2h 30m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Vermont Route 103 for about 18.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.1 mi from Essex Junction, VT · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 47.1 miles from Essex Junction, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ludlow, VT
The final approach into Ludlow, 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 Ludlow, 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
$15.10 one way
$30.19 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $16.55 | $33.09 |
| premium | $4.83 | $17.92 | $35.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.95 | $41.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.90 | $4.53 |
| Efficient EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.25 | $3.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.20 | $6.04 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% 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
Ludlow, VT
Night in Ludlow on Sunday
Local time
9:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°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
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
2h 30m 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 Ludlow, VT covers 94.3 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Vermont Route 103, Vermont Route 116, Franklin Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.1 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 $15.10 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.
The drive from Essex Junction, VT to Ludlow, VT is easy. At 2h 30m with 38% 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 29.6 miles (VT 116 / South 116 Road): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles (US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South): Navigation decision point.
The route from Essex Junction, VT to Ludlow, VT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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