Origin
Saint Johnsbury, VT
Late night in Saint Johnsbury on Monday
Local time
1:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
1h 43m
Distance
79.5 mi
128 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
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
Shelburne, VT
Tom Fisk
Traveling from Saint Johnsbury to Shelburne covers 79.5 miles across Vermont, making this an efficient journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the trip, keeping the excursion budget-friendly. The drive primarily utilizes I-89 and U.S. Route 2, offering a straightforward path between the Northeast region's key areas. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a day of exploration, the predictable timing makes this a reliable choice for your schedule.
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
39.7 miles from Saint Johnsbury, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 87% of your travel time spent on major roads. You will find yourself cruising along I-89 for the majority of the duration, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 34.4 miles that allows for steady, consistent driving. As you transition between the interstate and U.S. Route 2, the road character shifts from high-speed highway lanes to more localized travel. Expect a functional, direct experience behind the wheel that prioritizes efficiency over technical mountain passes or winding backroads. It is a straightforward drive that keeps you moving toward your destination with minimal fuss.
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 79.5 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
Take the exit toward I 189 West: Shelburne, Rutland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto US 7 / Shelburne Road
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Saint Johnsbury, VT to Shelburne, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Rutland along the way.
Rutland
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 89 | 34.4 mi | 39m |
| U.S. Route 2 West | 25.7 mi | 29m |
| U.S. Route 2 | 7.7 mi | 12m |
| Shelburne Road | 4.8 mi | 9m |
| I 189 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| River Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Memorial Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| High Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Johnsbury, VT and Shelburne, 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
Continue on I 189
Turn left onto US 7
Arrive at destination
Since the total drive time is under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though hitting the road early helps avoid potential traffic flow changes. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily pace the 79.5-mile journey however you like, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer interstate segments. Given that the route consists of high-speed highway stretches, staying alert during the 34.4-mile I-89 segment is key for a safe arrival. Use the shorter duration to your advantage by planning your arrival in Shelburne for a specific time, as the predictability of the route makes tight scheduling quite easy.
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 79.5 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.7 miles or 52m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shelburne, 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 79.5 miles and 1h 43m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.7 mi from Saint Johnsbury, VT · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 Shelburne, 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 Shelburne, VT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$12.73 one way
$25.45 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $13.95 | $27.90 |
| premium | $4.83 | $15.11 | $30.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.66 | $35.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.35 | $3.82 |
| Efficient EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.96 | $3.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.13 | $5.09 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 Shelburne on Monday
Local time
1:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
51°F
Peru, NY
40 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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Saint Johnsbury, VT or browse trips ending in Shelburne, VT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VT road trips.
Explore maps for Saint Johnsbury, VT or Shelburne, VT on MapSof.net.