Origin
Hartford, VT
Night in Hartford on Sunday
Local time
11:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h
Distance
82.7 mi
133 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hartford, VT
Andrea Davis
Dorset, VT
Phil Ledwith
Spanning 82.7 miles across Vermont, this route connects Hartford to Dorset in approximately two hours. It is an ideal day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget about $13 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. The drive is primarily highway-focused, making it a straightforward choice for travelers looking for efficiency. Since both the origin and destination are located in the Northeast, you will experience consistent regional character throughout the trek.
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
41.3 miles from Hartford, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Expect a drive defined by a 75% highway share, prioritizing speed and accessibility over winding backroads. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-91, which features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 35.1 miles. As you transition from the interstate onto Vermont Route 11 and Rockingham Road, the pace of the trip shifts noticeably. This blend of high-speed transit and local road navigation creates a practical rhythm for the driver. You can anticipate a steady, reliable experience behind the wheel for the duration of the two-hour trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 91 and Vermont Route 11. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Hartford, VT to Dorset, VT is easy. At 2h with 75% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 37.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.6 miles (VT 103 / Rockingham Road): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 5, VT 103: Rockingham, Bellows Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
At end of road, turn left onto VT 103 / Rockingham Road
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto VT 7A; VT 30 / Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto VT 30 / Bonnet Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
On the drive from Hartford, VT to Dorset, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Bellows Falls along the way.
Bellows Falls
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 91 | 35.1 mi | 40m |
| Vermont Route 11 | 17.1 mi | 26m |
| Rockingham Road | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| Vermont Route 11 West | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Simonsville Road | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Vermont Route 30 | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Depot Street | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| Bonnet Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hartford, VT and Dorset, VT.
Start on Christian Street
Continue on V.A. Cutoff Road
Turn right onto TH 132
Turn right onto US 4
Turn right onto US 5
Enter roundabout onto US 5
Continue on US 5
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 91
Take the exit
At end of road, turn left onto VT 103
Continue on VT 103
Continue on VT 11; VT 103
Continue on VT 11
Continue on VT 11
Continue on VT 11
Continue on VT 100; VT 11
Continue on VT 11
Continue on VT 11; VT 30
Continue on VT 11; VT 30
Enter roundabout onto VT 7A; VT 30
Continue on VT 7A; VT 30
Enter roundabout onto VT 30
Continue on VT 30
Continue on VT 30
Arrive at destination
Because this is a relatively short 82.7-mile drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your own schedule. With zero mandatory stops built into the route, you can easily push through the entire duration in one go. Keep in mind that since the majority of the route is highway-focused, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting I-91 to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the duration, aim to leave during daylight hours to maintain better visibility on the transition roads. Use the simplicity of the 2-hour timeframe to your advantage by planning your arrival in Dorset for a mid-day check-in or afternoon activity.
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.
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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.3 miles or 51m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dorset, VT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hartford, 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 Hartford, VT
This is one driving day of about 82.7 miles and 2h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.3 mi from Hartford, VT · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 41.3 miles from Hartford, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Dorset, 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 Dorset, VT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$13.24 one way
$26.48 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $14.51 | $29.02 |
| premium | $4.83 | $15.72 | $31.44 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.37 | $36.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.68 | $3.97 |
| Efficient EV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.24 | $3.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.58 | $5.29 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Hartford on Sunday
Local time
11:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Dorset on Sunday
Local time
11:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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