Origin
Saint Johnsbury, VT
Late night in Saint Johnsbury on Monday
Local time
2:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Johnsbury, VT to Essex Junction, VT
Drive Time
1h 33m
Distance
73.1 mi
118 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Johnsbury, VT
Abdel Achkouk
Essex Junction, VT
Dave Luzi, Litchfield CT REALTOR
Trip Overview
Traveling between Saint Johnsbury and Essex Junction is a straightforward 73.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes. You will primarily utilize I-89 and U.S. Route 2 to navigate across Vermont's Northeast region. Budgeting approximately $12 for fuel makes this an economical trip to complete in a single day. Since the entire route is well under two hours, there is no need for an overnight stay, allowing you plenty of flexibility for your schedule. It is a practical, efficient connection that serves as a reliable link between these two points.
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
36.6 miles from Saint Johnsbury, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 88% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-89, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 30.6 miles that allows for consistent cruising. While the journey begins with highway driving, your transition onto U.S. Route 2 adds a bit of variety to the final approach. The road maintains a steady, functional pace throughout, prioritizing speed and efficiency over complex navigation. It is a predictable drive that keeps you moving toward your destination without unnecessary technical challenges.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 30.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and U.S. Route 2 West. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 2; US 5 / Railroad Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 33m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 2; US 5 / Railroad Street
Turn left onto US 2; US 5 / Railroad Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 2 / Eastern Avenue
Turn right onto US 2 / Eastern Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 2; US 5 Alternate / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 5 Alternate / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
35.5 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
US 2 / East Montpelier Road
Enter roundabout onto US 2 / East Montpelier Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
69.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward VT 2A: Williston, Essex Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward VT 2A: Williston, Essex Junction
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 89 | 30.6 mi | 35m |
| U.S. Route 2 West | 25.7 mi | 29m |
| U.S. Route 2 | 7.7 mi | 12m |
| Essex Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| River Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Memorial Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Saint George Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Park Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 30.6 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Johnsbury, VT and Essex Junction, VT.
1
Start on US 2
105 ft
·
7 sec
·
Portland Street
2
Turn left onto US 2; US 5
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Railroad Street
3
Turn right onto US 2
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Eastern Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 5 Alternate
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Main Street
5
Turn slight right onto US 2
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Western Avenue
6
Continue on US 2
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
U.S. Route 2
7
Continue on US 2
26 mi
·
29 min
·
U.S. Route 2 West
8
Continue on US 2
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
School Street
9
Continue on US 2
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
High Street
10
Continue on US 2
7.1 mi
·
11 min
·
U.S. Route 2
11
Continue on US 2
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Montpelier Road
12
Enter roundabout onto US 2
74 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Montpelier Road
13
Continue on US 2
115 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Montpelier Road
14
Continue on US 2
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
River Street
15
Continue on US 2
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Berlin Street
16
Continue on US 2
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Drive
Use the none lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
18
Merge onto I 89
31 mi
·
35 min
·
I 89
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 12
Toward VT 2A: Williston, Essex Junction
20
Turn right onto VT 2A
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint George Road
21
Continue on VT 2A
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Essex Road
22
Continue on VT 2A
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Park Street
23
Turn slight right onto VT 15
79 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
VT 15
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip, you have the advantage of planning your departure time around your personal preference rather than worrying about mid-trip fatigue. Aim to leave during off-peak hours if you want to ensure the smoothest flow of traffic on I-89. Because the total duration is only 1 hour and 33 minutes, you likely won't need to plan for formal rest stops, though it is always smart to verify your fuel levels before heading out. Keep in mind that your $12 fuel estimate can fluctuate based on local prices, so fill up in Saint Johnsbury if you prefer to avoid potential price variations near Essex Junction. Having this level of flexibility makes the drive easy to manage in a single, relaxed session.
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 36.6 miles from Saint Johnsbury, VT, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.6 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 73.1 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.6 miles or 47m 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 18m
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 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 73.1 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Saint Johnsbury, 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 30.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.6 mi from Saint Johnsbury, VT · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 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
$11.70 one way
$23.40 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $12.83 | $25.65 |
| premium | $4.83 | $13.89 | $27.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.24 | $32.48 |
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: 25.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.68 | $3.51 |
| Efficient EV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.40 | $2.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.23 | $4.68 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Essex Junction, VT
Late night in Essex Junction on Monday
Local time
2:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
51°F
Peru, NY
37 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
2 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
1h 33m 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 Saint Johnsbury, VT to Essex Junction, VT covers 73.1 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 89, U.S. Route 2 West, U.S. Route 2. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.6 miles from Saint Johnsbury, VT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.70 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 1h 33m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
The route from Saint Johnsbury, VT to Essex Junction, VT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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