Origin
St Johnsbury, VT
Night in St Johnsbury on Sunday
Local time
9:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
1h 38m
Distance
76.5 mi
123 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.
St Johnsbury, VT
Tom Fisk
Burlington, VT
Troy Tumbin
Connecting St. Johnsbury to Burlington, this 76.5-mile journey is an efficient way to cross Northern Vermont. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 38 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $12, the transit remains quite affordable for most travelers. Because the route is straightforward and relatively short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stop unless you prefer a leisurely pace. Whether you are heading west for business or leisure, the drive offers a reliable link between these two key regional hubs.
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
38.2 miles from St Johnsbury, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 90% of your travel occurring on major roads like I-89 and U.S. Route 2. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 35.7 miles on I-89. Expect a consistent experience as you transition from the interstate onto U.S. Route 2 West. While the drive is efficient, the shift between highway speeds and local road conditions requires you to stay alert. It is a functional, streamlined path that prioritizes speed and directness over winding secondary roads.
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 5 / Railroad Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.5 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 5 / Railroad Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.5 miles (US 2 / Eastern Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 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 sharp right onto US 5 / Railroad Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
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 |
| Railroad Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between St Johnsbury, VT and Burlington, VT.
Start on Main Street
Turn sharp right onto 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
Since this is a short drive with no mandatory stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You should aim to fill your tank before leaving St. Johnsbury to keep your $12 fuel budget on track for the 76.5-mile trek. Because there are no scheduled stops on this route, make sure you are comfortable with a continuous 1-hour and 38-minute window of driving. Take advantage of the simplicity of this trip by checking traffic conditions on I-89 before you head out. Having the freedom to arrive in Burlington without the need for midway breaks makes this an ideal route for a quick, stress-free transit.
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 76.5 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.2 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, VT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving St 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 St Johnsbury, VT
This is one driving day of about 76.5 miles and 1h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.2 mi from St 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
$12.25 one way
$24.49 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $13.42 | $26.85 |
| premium | $4.83 | $14.54 | $29.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.00 | $33.99 |
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: 26.8 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 | 23 | 0 | $8.03 | $3.67 |
| Efficient EV | 19.1 | 0 | $6.69 | $3.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.71 | $4.90 |
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
Night in St Johnsbury on Sunday
Local time
9:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Burlington on Sunday
Local time
9:52 PM
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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