Origin
South Burlington, VT
Evening in South Burlington on Sunday
Local time
8:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Burlington, VT to Chester, VT
Drive Time
2h 41m
Distance
133.4 mi
215 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 31m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Burlington, VT
Tom Fisk
Chester, VT
Helena Jankovičová Kováčová
Trip Overview
Traveling from South Burlington to Chester covers 133.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 41 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused journey, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $21 on fuel for the trip. You will navigate primarily via I-89 and I-91 before finishing on Rockingham Road. This route is an efficient way to traverse the Northeast, moving you smoothly through the heart of Vermont. It is a practical choice for those who prioritize 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.7 miles from South Burlington, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
With 94% of your journey spent on highways, this drive is designed for consistent speed and minimal interruptions. You will settle in for a longest stretch of 88 miles on I-89, allowing you to cover the bulk of the distance quickly. The experience shifts from the interstate environment to the more local feel of Rockingham Road as you near your destination in Chester. Expect a steady, highway-focused pace that keeps you moving efficiently toward your goal. While the road is consistent, the transition from the fast-paced interstates to the final local stretch provides a distinct change in driving rhythm.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 88 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and I 91. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 88.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 41m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 88.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 123.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
88.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 91: Brattleboro, White River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 91: Brattleboro, White River
6
89.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 91 South: Brattleboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 91 South: Brattleboro
6
123.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 5, VT 103: Rockingham, Bellows Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 6
Toward US 5, VT 103: Rockingham, Bellows Falls
5
124 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
|
VT 103 / Rockingham Road
At end of road, turn left onto VT 103 / Rockingham Road
Navigation decision point
4
133.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
|
VT 35 / Grafton Street
Turn left onto VT 35 / Grafton Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
Between South Burlington, VT and Chester, VT, road signs point toward White River and Bellows Falls.
White River
88.9 mi in
|
~1h 44m
Bellows Falls
123.8 mi in
|
~2h 25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 89 | 88 mi | 1h 41m |
| I 91 | 34.4 mi | 39m |
| Rockingham Road | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| Vermont Route 103 South | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Williston Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Grafton Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 88 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Burlington, VT and Chester, VT.
1
Start on US 2
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Williston Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 89 South: Montpelier
3
Merge onto I 89
88 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 89
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 91: Brattleboro, White River
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 91 South: Brattleboro
6
Merge onto I 91
34 mi
·
39 min
·
I 91
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 6
Toward US 5, VT 103: Rockingham, Bellows Falls
8
At end of road, turn left onto VT 103
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Rockingham Road
9
Continue on VT 103
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Vermont Route 103 South
10
Continue on VT 11; VT 103
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
11
Turn left onto VT 35
72 ft
·
2 sec
·
Grafton Street
12
Arrive at destination
VT 35
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid potential traffic. Planning for one stop is a great way to break up the 2-hour and 41-minute duration and keep you refreshed behind the wheel. Keep your $21 fuel budget in mind, though having a little extra set aside for local fluctuations is always a smart move. Given that the majority of your time is spent on I-89 and I-91, focus your attention on navigating these high-speed segments safely. Take advantage of the single planned stop to stretch your legs before you exit onto Rockingham Road for the final leg of your journey.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.7 miles from South Burlington, VT, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.7 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chester, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Burlington, 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 South Burlington, VT
This is one driving day of about 133.4 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from South Burlington, VT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 89 for about 88 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.7 mi from South Burlington, VT · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.7 miles from South Burlington, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 89 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88 miles.
Arriving in Chester, VT
The final approach into Chester, 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 Chester, 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
$21.35 one way
$42.71 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $23.41 | $46.82 |
| premium | $4.83 | $25.36 | $50.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.64 | $59.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40 | 0 | $14.01 | $6.40 |
| Efficient EV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.67 | $5.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.4 | 0 | $18.68 | $8.54 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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
Chester, VT
Evening in Chester on Sunday
Local time
8:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
9 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 41m 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 South Burlington, VT to Chester, VT covers 133.4 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 89, I 91, Rockingham Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.7 miles from South Burlington, VT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.35 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 41m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 88.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 123.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between South Burlington, VT and Chester, VT, road signs point toward White River and Bellows Falls.
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