Origin
Montpelier, VT
Night in Montpelier on Sunday
Local time
11:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montpelier, VT to Waterbury, VT
Drive Time
17m
Distance
13.1 mi
21 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 16m
★
6 AM
0h 18m
8 AM
0h 21m
10 AM
0h 19m
12 PM
0h 18m
3 PM
0h 19m
5 PM
0h 20m
8 PM
0h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montpelier, VT
Andrea Davis
Waterbury, VT
James Mirakian
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick connection between Montpelier and Waterbury, this 13.1-mile trip is an efficient way to traverse the Northeast region of Vermont. Lasting only about 17 minutes, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend roughly $2 on fuel, making it a highly economical commute. The route relies primarily on I-89 to bridge the two towns, ensuring a straightforward journey. Because of its brevity, it serves as a practical link for anyone needing to move between these points quickly rather than a destination-heavy road trip.
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
6.5 miles from Montpelier, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is defined by its speed and directness, with 80% of the journey spent on the interstate. You will spend the bulk of your time on a 10.3-mile stretch of I-89, which provides a consistent, high-speed experience. The remainder of the trip transitions into local navigation via Memorial Drive and Stowe Street to reach your final destination. While the interstate portion is straightforward, the shift to local roads at either end helps you settle into the pace of the town. Expect a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes efficiency over technical winding roads.
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 10.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and Memorial Drive. 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 17m drive. You will face about 6 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 11.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 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
6
11.9 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward VT 100: Waterbury, Stowe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 10
Toward VT 100: Waterbury, Stowe
5
12.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
VT 100 / Vermont Route 100
Turn right onto VT 100 / Vermont Route 100
Navigation decision point
4
12.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
Stowe Street
Turn right onto Stowe Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Montpelier, VT to Waterbury, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Stowe along the way.
Stowe
11.9 mi in
|
~14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 89 | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| Memorial Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Stowe Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Vermont Route 100 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 10.3 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montpelier, VT and Waterbury, 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
10 mi
·
11 min
·
I 89
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 10
Toward VT 100: Waterbury, Stowe
6
Turn right onto VT 100
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Vermont Route 100
7
Turn right onto Stowe Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Stowe Street
8
Arrive at destination
Stowe Street
Trip Plan
Because this drive takes less than 20 minutes, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. There are no planned stops required along the way, allowing you to travel point-to-point without needing to budget for rest breaks or extra fuel. Keep in mind that since the majority of the route is on I-89, traffic flow on the interstate will dictate your actual arrival time more than any other factor. As you approach Waterbury, be prepared to transition smoothly from the highway speeds of I-89 onto Stowe Street. Taking this short trip during off-peak hours is your best strategy for a seamless arrival.
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 6.5 miles from Montpelier, VT, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.3 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 13.1 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.5 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterbury, 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 13.1 miles and 17m.
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 10.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.5 mi from Montpelier, VT · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 Waterbury, VT
The final approach into Waterbury, 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 Waterbury, 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
$2.10 one way
$4.19 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $2.30 | $4.60 |
| premium | $4.83 | $2.49 | $4.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.91 | $5.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.38 | $0.63 |
| Efficient EV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.15 | $0.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.83 | $0.84 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Waterbury, VT
Night in Waterbury on Sunday
Local time
11:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
51°F
Peru, NY
7 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
1 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
17m 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 Waterbury, VT covers 13.1 miles and takes about 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 89, Memorial Drive, Stowe Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.5 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 $2.10 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.
This is a straightforward 17m drive. You will face about 6 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 11.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Montpelier, VT to Waterbury, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Stowe along the way.
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