Origin
South Burlington, VT
Evening in South Burlington on Sunday
Local time
8:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Burlington, VT to St Johnsbury, VT
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
76 mi
122 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 30m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Burlington, VT
Tom Fisk
St Johnsbury, VT
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward connection between South Burlington and St. Johnsbury, this 76-mile route is a highly efficient choice. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 37 minutes behind the wheel, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $12, it is also an affordable way to traverse this portion of the Northeast. You will rely primarily on I-89 and U.S. Route 2 to navigate between these two Vermont points. Because of the manageable duration, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have specific reasons to linger. This drive offers a practical, no-nonsense path for commuters or travelers moving across the state.
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 South Burlington, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily weighted toward highway travel, with 91% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself mostly on I-89, which features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 35.5 miles. As you transition from the interstate onto U.S. Route 2 and River Street, the character of the drive shifts from a fast-paced highway experience to more localized road conditions. While the interstate segments allow for steady cruising, the final portions require more focused navigation. Overall, the drive feels like a functional, highway-focused transit that prioritizes speed and directness over winding secondary roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 35.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and U.S. Route 2. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 36.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 37m 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 36.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40 miles (US 2 / River Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 75.2 miles (US 2 / Eastern Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
36.5 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward US 2: Montpelier, Saint Johnsbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 8
Toward US 2: Montpelier, Saint Johnsbury
4
40 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
US 2 / River Street
Enter roundabout onto US 2 / River Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
75.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
US 2 / Eastern Avenue
Turn right onto US 2 / Eastern Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
75.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
US 2; US 5 / Railroad Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 5 / Railroad Street
Navigation decision point
5
76 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
Main Street
Turn sharp left onto Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from South Burlington, VT to St Johnsbury, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Johnsbury along the way.
Saint Johnsbury
36.5 mi in
|
~43m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 89 | 35.5 mi | 41m |
| U.S. Route 2 | 33.4 mi | 41m |
| River Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Memorial Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Williston Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| High Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Railroad Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Berlin Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 35.5 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Burlington, VT and St Johnsbury, 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
36 mi
·
41 min
·
I 89
4
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8
Toward US 2: Montpelier, Saint Johnsbury
5
Continue on Memorial Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Drive
Use the left / none lanes.
6
Continue on US 2
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Berlin Street
7
Turn slight left onto US 2
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
River Street
8
Enter roundabout onto US 2
137 ft
·
1 sec
·
River Street
9
Continue on US 2
97 ft
·
1 sec
·
River Street
10
Merge onto US 2
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
East Montpelier Road
11
Continue on US 2
7.1 mi
·
11 min
·
U.S. Route 2
12
Continue on US 2
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
High Street
13
Continue on US 2
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
School Street
14
Continue on US 2
26 mi
·
30 min
·
U.S. Route 2
15
Continue on US 2
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Western Avenue
16
Continue on US 2
227 ft
·
3 sec
·
Western Avenue
17
Continue on US 2; US 5 Alternate
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Main Street
18
Turn right onto US 2
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Eastern Avenue
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 5
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Railroad Street
20
Turn sharp left onto Main Street
90 ft
·
3 sec
·
Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily make the drive in one go without needing scheduled stops, though it is smart to check your fuel levels before leaving South Burlington to ensure you stay within your $12 estimate. Given that the route is almost entirely highway-based, be prepared for consistent traffic flow on I-89. Because the trip takes less than two hours, you can comfortably leave in the morning or afternoon without feeling rushed. A solid tip for this specific route is to stay alert during the transition from the interstate to the local roads on River Street, as the change in pace can be sudden.
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 38 miles from South Burlington, VT, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.5 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 76 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 46m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St Johnsbury, 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 76 miles and 1h 37m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 89 for about 35.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38 mi from South Burlington, VT · 46m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38 miles from South Burlington, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in St Johnsbury, VT
The final approach into St Johnsbury, 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 St Johnsbury, 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
$12.17 one way
$24.33 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $13.34 | $26.67 |
| premium | $4.83 | $14.45 | $28.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.88 | $33.77 |
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 | $7.98 | $3.65 |
| Efficient EV | 19 | 0 | $6.65 | $3.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.64 | $4.86 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
St Johnsbury, VT
Evening in St Johnsbury on Sunday
Local time
8:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 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
1h 37m 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 St Johnsbury, VT covers 76 miles and takes about 1h 37m 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, River 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 38 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 $12.17 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 37m 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 36.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40 miles (US 2 / River Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 75.2 miles (US 2 / Eastern Avenue): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from South Burlington, VT to St Johnsbury, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Johnsbury along the way.
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Return Trip
St Johnsbury, VT to South Burlington, VTPlan the drive back the other way.
75.3 mi
1h 35m
Continue From St Johnsbury, VT
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