Origin
St Johnsbury, VT
Evening in St Johnsbury on Sunday
Local time
8:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from St Johnsbury, VT to South Burlington, VT
Drive Time
1h 35m
Distance
75.3 mi
121 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 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
St Johnsbury, VT
Tom Fisk
South Burlington, VT
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 75.3 miles across Vermont, this straightforward trek between St. Johnsbury and South Burlington typically takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes. Because the distance is relatively short, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should expect to spend roughly $12 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable transit between the Northeast region's key hubs. Navigating primarily via I-89 and U.S. Route 2, you will find the route efficient for those prioritizing speed over sightseeing. It serves as a reliable, direct connection for travelers moving across the state, offering a stress-free experience that fits perfectly into a busy itinerary.
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
37.7 miles from St Johnsbury, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 91% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising on I-89, which includes a notable 35.4-mile stretch of uninterrupted highway driving. While the transition onto U.S. Route 2 adds a bit of variety to the road surface, the overall character remains practical and fast-paced. Expect a consistent, steady rhythm behind the wheel as you navigate these primary Vermont corridors. It is an ideal route if you prefer predictable, high-speed travel over the winding, technical backroads sometimes found elsewhere in the state.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 35.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.3 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese 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
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 2 / Eastern Avenue
Turn right onto US 2 / Eastern Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 2; US 5 Alternate / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 5 Alternate / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
36 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
US 2 / East Montpelier Road
Enter roundabout onto US 2 / East Montpelier Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
39.1 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
I 89
Merge onto I 89
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 89 | 35.4 mi | 41m |
| U.S. Route 2 West | 25.7 mi | 29m |
| U.S. Route 2 | 7.7 mi | 12m |
| River Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Memorial Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Williston Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| High Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Railroad Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 35.4 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St Johnsbury, VT and South Burlington, VT.
1
Start on Main Street
90 ft
·
10 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn sharp right onto US 5
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Railroad Street
3
Turn right onto US 2
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Eastern Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 5 Alternate
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Main Street
5
Turn slight right onto US 2
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Western Avenue
6
Continue on US 2
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
U.S. Route 2
7
Continue on US 2
26 mi
·
29 min
·
U.S. Route 2 West
8
Continue on US 2
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
School Street
9
Continue on US 2
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
High Street
10
Continue on US 2
7.1 mi
·
11 min
·
U.S. Route 2
11
Continue on US 2
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Montpelier Road
12
Enter roundabout onto US 2
74 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Montpelier Road
13
Continue on US 2
115 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Montpelier Road
14
Continue on US 2
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
River Street
15
Continue on US 2
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Berlin Street
16
Continue on US 2
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Drive
Use the none lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
18
Merge onto I 89
35 mi
·
41 min
·
I 89
Use the none lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Toward US 2 East: South Burlington
20
Turn slight right onto US 2
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Williston Road
Use the none lane.
21
Continue on US 2
87 ft
·
2 sec
·
Williston Road
22
Arrive at destination
US 2
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 35-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for major breaks, as the 75.3-mile distance is manageable in one go, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving St. Johnsbury is a smart move. Because the route relies so heavily on I-89, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain a smooth pace. If you are traveling during winter months, be prepared for changing road conditions on these major highways. Leveraging the direct nature of this connection allows you to maximize your time once you arrive in South Burlington.
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 37.7 miles from St Johnsbury, VT, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.4 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 75.3 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.7 miles or 49m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Burlington, 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 75.3 miles and 1h 35m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 89 for about 35.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.7 mi from St Johnsbury, VT · 49m 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
Arriving in South Burlington, VT
The final approach into South 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 South Burlington, 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
$12.05 one way
$24.11 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $13.21 | $26.43 |
| premium | $4.83 | $14.31 | $28.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.73 | $33.46 |
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: 26.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.6 | 0 | $7.91 | $3.61 |
| Efficient EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.59 | $3.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.54 | $4.82 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
South Burlington, VT
Evening in South Burlington on Sunday
Local time
8:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 35m 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 South Burlington, VT covers 75.3 miles and takes about 1h 35m 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 West, U.S. Route 2. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.7 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 $12.05 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.3 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.
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.
The route from St Johnsbury, VT to South Burlington, VT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
South Burlington, VT to St Johnsbury, VTPlan the drive back the other way.
76 mi
1h 37m
Continue From South Burlington, VT
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