Trip from Lincoln, VT to Essex Junction, 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 Lincoln, VT, VT

Lincoln, VT

www.kaboompics.com

Downtown Essex Junction, VT, VT

Essex Junction, VT

Dave Luzi, Litchfield CT REALTOR

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Lincoln to Essex Junction, you are looking at a manageable 30.3-mile journey that typically takes about 49 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. With a fuel budget of approximately $5, it remains an affordable trek through the Vermont landscape. You will primarily navigate via Vermont Route 116, North 116 Road, and Saint George Road. Since both towns reside within the Northeast region, you can expect a consistent atmosphere throughout the transit. This route offers a straightforward, practical connection between the two points, making it a reliable choice for travelers who value efficiency.

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 Lincoln, VT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that blends local charm with more consistent travel speeds. About 53% of your trip involves highway travel, providing a balance between slower local stretches and faster segments. You will spend your longest uninterrupted period on Vermont Route 116, which covers 14.2 miles of the total distance. As you transition between the various roads, the feel of the drive shifts from quieter local paths to more established thoroughfares. Behind the wheel, you will find this 49-minute route offers a varied pace that keeps the drive engaging without becoming overly taxing.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 13 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 early in the drive near Quaker Street.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Lincoln, VT to Essex Junction, 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: near the start (Quaker Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (VT 17; VT 116 / North 116 Road): Navigation decision point; at 21.7 miles (VT 2A / Vermont Route 2A): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

3 of 3 key points

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

3
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Quaker Street

Continue onto Quaker Street

Navigation decision point

4
3.4 mi into trip | ~8m in | VT 17; VT 116 / North 116 Road

At end of road, turn right onto VT 17; VT 116 / North 116 Road

Navigation decision point

3
21.7 mi into trip | ~35m in | VT 2A / Vermont Route 2A

Turn right onto VT 2A / Vermont Route 2A

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 Lincoln, VT and Essex Junction, VT.

1

Start on Quaker Street

47 ft · 8 sec · Quaker Street
2

Continue on Quaker Street

114 ft · 3 sec · Quaker Street
3

Turn right onto West River Road

2.3 mi · 5 min · West River Road
4

Continue on Lincoln Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Road
5

At end of road, turn right onto VT 17; VT 116

4.1 mi · 6 min · North 116 Road
6

Continue on VT 116

9.0 mi · 13 min · Vermont Route 116
7

Continue on VT 116

5.3 mi · 7 min · Vermont Route 116
8

Turn right onto VT 2A

2.0 mi · 2 min · Vermont Route 2A
9

Continue on VT 2A

3.7 mi · 5 min · Saint George Road
10

Continue on VT 2A

2.2 mi · 3 min · Essex Road
11

Continue on VT 2A

0.7 mi · 2 min · Park Street
12

Turn slight right onto VT 15

79 ft · 2 sec · Main Street
13

Arrive at destination

VT 15

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your own schedule. Since there are no formal stops programmed into the 30.3-mile route, you have the freedom to drive straight through or pull over as you see fit. Keep in mind that with a $5 fuel estimate, it is wise to ensure you have enough gas before setting out, as there are no mandated breaks. Pay close attention to the transition points between North 116 Road and Saint George Road to stay on track. Leveraging this short duration allows you to maximize your time once you arrive at your destination in Essex Junction.

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 Lincoln, VT, or about 25m 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 25m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 41m

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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, VT

This is one driving day of about 30.3 miles and 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, VT · 25m 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 Lincoln, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

$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

Lincoln, VT

Late night in Lincoln on Monday

Local time

12:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Essex Junction, VT

Late night in Essex Junction on Monday

Local time

12:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°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 cooler 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 Lincoln, VT to Essex Junction, 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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, VT to Essex Junction, VT is easy. At 49m with 53% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Quaker Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (VT 17; VT 116 / North 116 Road): Navigation decision point; at 21.7 miles (VT 2A / Vermont Route 2A): Navigation decision point.
The route from Lincoln, VT to Essex Junction, VT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Essex Junction, VT to Lincoln, VT

Plan the drive back the other way.

30.3 mi 49m

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VT road trips.

Explore maps for Lincoln, VT or Essex Junction, VT on MapSof.net.