Origin
Montpelier, VT
Night in Montpelier on Sunday
Local time
11:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montpelier, VT to Burlington, VT
Drive Time
49m
Distance
39 mi
63 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 45m
★
6 AM
0h 49m
8 AM
0h 57m
10 AM
0h 52m
12 PM
0h 51m
3 PM
0h 52m
5 PM
0h 57m
8 PM
0h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montpelier, VT
Andrea Davis
Burlington, VT
Troy Tumbin
Trip Overview
Connecting Vermont’s capital to its largest city, this 39-mile transit is a quick and efficient journey through the heart of the Northeast. You can expect to spend about 49 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $6, it is a very economical way to traverse the state. The path primarily utilizes I-89 to bridge the gap between Montpelier and Burlington. Whether you are commuting or exploring, the simplicity of this route allows for maximum flexibility in your schedule. It is a straightforward drive that prioritizes speed and reliability over complex navigation.
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
19.5 miles from Montpelier, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by its efficiency, as 92% of your travel time is spent on high-speed interstate highways. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 35.7 miles along I-89. While the highway dominates the experience, you will transition onto local roads like Main Street and Memorial Drive to reach your final destination. Expect a consistent, fast-paced environment that keeps you moving steadily toward Lake Champlain. The road is straightforward and functional, serving as a no-nonsense artery between these two key Vermont locations.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 8 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 35.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and Main Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 2 / Memorial Drive.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 49m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 2 / Memorial Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.5 miles (I 89): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 2 / Memorial Drive
Turn right onto US 2 / Memorial Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 89
Merge onto I 89
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
37.2 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward US 2 West: Burlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 2 West: Burlington
3
37.4 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
US 2 / Williston Road
Turn straight onto US 2 / Williston Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 89 | 35.7 mi | 41m |
| Main Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Memorial Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Williston Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 35.7 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montpelier, VT and Burlington, VT.
1
Start on VT 12; US 2 Business
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 2
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Drive
Use the none lane.
3
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
4
Merge onto I 89
36 mi
·
41 min
·
I 89
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
Toward US 2 West: Burlington
6
Turn straight onto US 2
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Williston Road
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 2
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 39-mile trek, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever it suits your plans without needing to worry about long-distance pacing. Since the drive takes less than an hour, you won't need to plan for any formal rest stops along the way. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will be minimal at around $6, so you can easily budget for this trip on short notice. To make the most of your time, try to avoid peak commuting hours on I-89 to ensure a smooth transition into Burlington. Enjoy the simplicity of this quick hop across the state, which leaves you with plenty of daylight to explore once you arrive.
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 19.5 miles from Montpelier, VT, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.7 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 39 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.5 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 Burlington, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Montpelier, 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 Montpelier, VT
This is one driving day of about 39 miles and 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Montpelier, 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 35.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.5 mi from Montpelier, VT · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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
Arriving in Burlington, VT
The final approach into Burlington, 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 Burlington, 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
$6.24 one way
$12.49 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $6.84 | $13.69 |
| premium | $4.83 | $7.41 | $14.83 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.66 | $17.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.87 |
| Efficient EV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.41 | $1.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.46 | $2.50 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Burlington, VT
Night in Burlington on Sunday
Local time
11:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
51°F
Peru, NY
20 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
5 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 Montpelier, VT to Burlington, VT covers 39 miles and takes about 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 89, Main Street, Memorial Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.5 miles from Montpelier, VT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.24 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 49m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 2 / Memorial Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.5 miles (I 89): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Montpelier, VT to Burlington, 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
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Burlington, VT
More trips to Burlington, VT
Explore more options from Montpelier, VT or browse trips ending in Burlington, VT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VT road trips.
Explore maps for Montpelier, VT or Burlington, VT on MapSof.net.