Origin
Swanton, VT
Afternoon in Swanton on Wednesday
Local time
3:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Swanton, VT to Burlington, VT
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
45m
Distance
37 mi
60 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Swanton, VT
Andrea Davis
Burlington, VT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit across Northern Vermont, the 37-mile journey from Swanton to Burlington is an ideal choice. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 45 minutes, making it a perfect one-day transit rather than an overnight excursion. Budgeting approximately $6 for fuel should cover your needs for this short hop between the two Northeast communities. Because the trip is so efficient, it offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, you will find this path to be a practical and reliable way to connect these two points.
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
18.5 miles from Swanton, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience as 93% of your commute takes place on high-speed roads. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-89, which accounts for a 34.3-mile stretch of the journey. Once you exit the interstate, the final transition into Burlington involves navigating local thoroughfares like First Street and Main Street. This route prioritizes speed over winding backroads, providing a consistent pace behind the wheel. It is a no-nonsense transit that gets you from point A to point B with minimal interruption.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 8 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
First Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
596 ft
110 ft
Total Climb
664 ft
Total Descent
630 ft
Highest Point
596 ft
~9.3 mi in
Elevation Range
486 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Swanton, VT to Burlington, VT is easy. At 45m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Swanton, VT to Burlington, VT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| First Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 89 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 2 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Williston Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
First Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swanton, VT and Burlington, VT.
1
Start on Grand Avenue
62 ft
·
3 sec
·
Grand Avenue
2
Turn right onto First Street
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
First Street
3
Take the exit right toward I 89 South: Saint Albans, Burlington
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 89 South: Saint Albans, Burlington
4
Merge slight left
34 mi
·
39 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward US 2 West: Burlington
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 2 West: Burlington
6
Turn straight onto Williston Road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Williston Road
7
Continue on Main Street
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
8
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since the drive takes less than an hour, you have the advantage of total departure flexibility. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the 37-mile distance is easily manageable in a single stint. Keep in mind that while the interstate portion is straightforward, pay close attention to your navigation as you transition onto Main Street and First Street to reach your final destination in Burlington. Checking local traffic reports before you leave can help ensure your 45-minute estimate remains accurate. Remember that because this is a short trip, you can easily adjust your departure time to avoid potential peak-hour congestion in the city.
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 18.5 miles from Swanton, VT, or about 22m into the drive.
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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.5 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Swanton, 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 Swanton, VT
This is one driving day of about 37 miles and 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Swanton, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.5 mi from Swanton, VT · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.5 miles from Swanton, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Burlington, VT
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.96 one way
$11.91 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $6.55 | $13.11 |
| premium | $4.86 | $7.09 | $14.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.17 | $16.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.89 | $1.78 |
| Efficient EV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.24 | $1.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.18 | $2.37 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Burlington, VT
Afternoon in Burlington on Wednesday
Local time
3:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°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
11 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
45m 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 Swanton, VT to Burlington, VT covers 37 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are First Street, I 89 South, US 2 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.5 miles from Swanton, VT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.96 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.
The drive from Swanton, VT to Burlington, VT is easy. At 45m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Swanton, VT to Burlington, VT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Swanton, VT to Burlington, VT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 110 ft to 596 ft elevation with about 664 ft of total climbing.
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