Trip from St Johnsbury, VT to Manchester, VT

Drive Time

2h 59m

Distance

136 mi

219 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 48m ★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown St Johnsbury, VT, VT

St Johnsbury, VT

Tom Fisk

Downtown Manchester, VT, VT

Manchester, VT

Mylo Kaye

Trip Overview

Stretching 136 miles across Vermont, this drive from St. Johnsbury to Manchester typically takes about 2 hours and 59 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that is easily managed as a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, you can complete the transit efficiently without needing to plan for an overnight stay. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-91, which keeps the travel pace consistent throughout the Northeast region. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a weekend getaway, this route provides a reliable connection between these two Vermont hubs.

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

68 miles from St Johnsbury, VT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip dominated by high-speed interstate travel, with roughly 87% of your time spent on major highways. The longest uninterrupted segment covers 93.8 miles on I-91, offering a steady, predictable rhythm before you transition onto Vermont Route 11 and Rockingham Road. While the first leg is focused on efficiency and speed, the shift toward local roads near the end of your journey changes the character of the drive. You won't find many technical curves in the early stages, making this a practical choice for those who prefer straightforward driving conditions over winding backroads.

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 91 is the longest continuous segment at about 93.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 91 and Vermont Route 11. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 5 / Railroad Street.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from St Johnsbury, VT to Manchester, VT is easy. At 2h 59m with 87% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

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 95.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.9 miles (VT 103 / Rockingham Road): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 5 / Railroad Street

Turn sharp right onto US 5 / Railroad Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

6
95.7 mi into trip | ~1h 51m 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
95.9 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | VT 103 / Rockingham Road

At end of road, turn left onto VT 103 / Rockingham Road

Navigation decision point

5
134.8 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in | VT 7A / Main Street

Enter roundabout onto VT 7A / Main Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
135.2 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in | VT 7A / Main Street

Enter roundabout onto VT 7A / Main Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from St Johnsbury, VT to Manchester, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Bellows Falls along the way.

Bellows Falls

95.7 mi in | ~1h 51m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 91 93.8 mi 1h 48m
Vermont Route 11 17.1 mi 26m
Rockingham Road 6.5 mi 9m
Vermont Route 11 West 4.4 mi 6m
Simonsville Road 3.7 mi 5m
Depot Street 3.2 mi 6m
Vermont Route 103 South 2.5 mi 4m
Railroad Street 1.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 91 — 93.8 mi, about 1h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between St Johnsbury, VT and Manchester, VT.

1

Start on Main Street

90 ft · 10 sec · Main Street
2

Turn sharp right onto US 5

1.6 mi · 2 min · Railroad Street
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
4

Merge onto I 91

94 mi · 1 hr 48 min · I 91
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 41 sec
Exit 6 Toward US 5, VT 103: Rockingham, Bellows Falls
6

At end of road, turn left onto VT 103

6.5 mi · 9 min · Rockingham Road
7

Continue on VT 103

2.5 mi · 4 min · Vermont Route 103 South
8

Continue on VT 11; VT 103

1.2 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
9

Continue on VT 11

4.4 mi · 6 min · Vermont Route 11 West
10

Continue on VT 11

3.7 mi · 5 min · Simonsville Road
11

Continue on VT 11

5.6 mi · 8 min · Vermont Route 11
12

Continue on VT 100; VT 11

0.4 mi · 59 sec · North Main Street
13

Continue on VT 11

12 mi · 17 min · Vermont Route 11
14

Continue on VT 11; VT 30

1.3 mi · 2 min · Depot Street
15

Continue on VT 11; VT 30

1.9 mi · 4 min · Depot Street
16

Enter roundabout onto VT 7A

182 ft · 3 sec · Main Street
17

Continue on VT 7A

0.3 mi · 47 sec · Main Street
18

Enter roundabout onto VT 7A

79 ft · 1 sec · Main Street
19

Continue on VT 7A

0.8 mi · 2 min · Main Street
20

Turn right onto Seminary Avenue

90 ft · 3 sec · Seminary Avenue
21

Arrive at destination

Seminary Avenue

Trip Plan

Because this is a manageable three-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid the heaviest traffic. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, especially since the longest stretch accounts for nearly 94 miles of the total distance. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving St. Johnsbury to ensure you stay within your $22 budget throughout the journey. Since the route relies heavily on I-91, check for construction updates along that corridor before you head out. Utilizing your single planned stop midway through the drive is the best way to keep your energy levels up for the final transition onto local roads.

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 68 miles from St Johnsbury, VT, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.8 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 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 68 miles or 1h 19m 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 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manchester, VT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

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 136 miles and 2h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from St Johnsbury, 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 91 for about 93.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 68 mi from St Johnsbury, VT · 1h 19m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, NY

68 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

Albany, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albany, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68 miles from St Johnsbury, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 91 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.8 miles.

Arriving in Manchester, VT

The final approach into Manchester, 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 Manchester, 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

$21.77 one way

$43.54 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $23.86 $47.73
premium $4.83 $25.85 $51.70
diesel $5.64 $30.21 $60.43

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.8 0 $14.28 $6.53
Efficient EV 34 0 $11.90 $5.44
EV Truck/SUV 54.4 0 $19.04 $8.70

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

St Johnsbury, VT

Evening in St Johnsbury on Sunday

Local time

7:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Manchester, VT

Evening in Manchester on Sunday

Local time

7:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°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

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

2h 59m 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 St Johnsbury, VT to Manchester, VT covers 136 miles and takes about 2h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 91, Vermont Route 11, 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 68 miles from St Johnsbury, VT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.77 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.
The drive from St Johnsbury, VT to Manchester, VT is easy. At 2h 59m with 87% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 5 / Railroad Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 95.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.9 miles (VT 103 / Rockingham Road): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from St Johnsbury, VT to Manchester, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Bellows Falls along the way.

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Return Trip

Manchester, VT to St Johnsbury, VT

Plan the drive back the other way.

135.5 mi 2h 58m

Explore more options from St Johnsbury, VT or browse trips ending in Manchester, VT.

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