Origin
Saint Johnsbury, VT
Late night in Saint Johnsbury on Monday
Local time
1:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
1h 37m
Distance
76.1 mi
122 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
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.
Saint Johnsbury, VT
Abdel Achkouk
Burlington, VT
Troy Tumbin
Connecting Saint Johnsbury to Burlington, this 76.1-mile journey is a straightforward transit across Northern Vermont. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 37 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. The route relies heavily on I-89 and U.S. Route 2, keeping your travel time efficient and predictable. With a fuel budget of approximately $12, it is a cost-effective way to traverse the state. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a weekend excursion, the simplicity of this path allows for a stress-free travel experience. Since both cities are located within the Northeast, you will remain in a familiar regional climate throughout the drive.
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
38 miles from Saint Johnsbury, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 91% of this 76.1-mile trek is spent on high-speed roads. The drive centers on a 35.7-mile stretch of I-89, which provides the most significant portion of your travel time. While the interstate allows you to maintain a steady pace, the transition onto U.S. Route 2 offers a slight shift in driving dynamics as you navigate toward your destination. You will find that the route prioritizes speed and efficiency, trading winding backroads for reliable highway lanes. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that gets you from the Northeast Kingdom toward the Lake Champlain area with minimal complexity.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and U.S. Route 2 West. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 2; US 5 / Railroad Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.1 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 2; US 5 / Railroad Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 2 / Eastern Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 2; US 5 Alternate / Main Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto US 2; US 5 / Railroad Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 2 / Eastern Avenue
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 5 Alternate / Main Street
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto US 2 / East Montpelier Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Merge onto I 89
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 89 | 35.7 mi | 41m |
| U.S. Route 2 West | 25.7 mi | 29m |
| U.S. Route 2 | 7.7 mi | 12m |
| Main Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| River Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Memorial Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| High Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Berlin Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Johnsbury, VT and Burlington, VT.
Start on US 2
Turn left onto US 2; US 5
Turn right onto US 2
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 5 Alternate
Turn slight right onto US 2
Continue on US 2
Continue on US 2
Continue on US 2
Continue on US 2
Continue on US 2
Continue on US 2
Enter roundabout onto US 2
Continue on US 2
Continue on US 2
Continue on US 2
Continue on US 2
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 89
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 2
Continue on US 2
Arrive at destination
Because this is a relatively short 1-hour and 37-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule. You likely won't need to plan for any formal stops, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge before hitting the interstate is a smart move given the $12 estimated cost. If you are traveling during peak commuting hours, be prepared for heavier traffic near the Burlington area. Since the entire route is under 80 miles, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to stretch your legs. A great tip for this specific drive is to monitor local weather reports, as Vermont highway conditions can change quickly regardless of the season.
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 76.1 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38 miles or 50m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, VT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Saint Johnsbury, 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 Saint Johnsbury, VT
This is one driving day of about 76.1 miles and 1h 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38 mi from Saint Johnsbury, VT · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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.
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.
Regular Gas
$12.18 one way
$24.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $13.35 | $26.71 |
| premium | $4.83 | $14.46 | $28.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.91 | $33.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.8 | 0 | $7.99 | $3.65 |
| Efficient EV | 19 | 0 | $6.66 | $3.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.65 | $4.87 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Saint Johnsbury on Monday
Local time
1:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Burlington on Monday
Local time
1:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
51°F
Peru, NY
38 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
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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