Origin
Townshend, VT
Afternoon in Townshend on Wednesday
Local time
2:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Townshend, VT to Essex Junction, VT
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 6m
Distance
143.4 mi
231 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 55m
★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Townshend, VT
Wikimedia Commons
Essex Junction, VT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Townshend, VT to Essex Junction, VT covers 143.4 miles and takes about 3h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 89, I 91, Route 35 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 83.1 miles on I 89. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.09 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
71.7 miles from Townshend, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 6m highway drive covering 143.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 89 and I 91. The longest continuous stretch is about 83.1 miles on I 89.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 83.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and I 91. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 10.1 miles in near VT 121 / Route 121 East.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 6m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.1 miles (VT 121 / Route 121 East): Navigation decision point; at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
10.1 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
VT 121 / Route 121 East
Turn right onto VT 121 / Route 121 East
Navigation decision point
5
21.4 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward I 91 North: Springfield, White River Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 91 North: Springfield, White River Jun...
4
56.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 89 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 89 North
6
139.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward VT 2A: Williston, Essex Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward VT 2A: Williston, Essex Junction
4
139.8 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
VT 2A / Saint George Road
Turn right onto VT 2A / Saint George Road
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Townshend, VT to Essex Junction, VT, road signs begin pointing toward White River Junction along the way.
White River Junction
21.4 mi in
|
~42m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 89 | 83.1 mi | 1h 35m |
| I 91 | 34.6 mi | 40m |
| Route 35 | 5 mi | 10m |
| Saxtons River Road | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| Grafton Road | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| Essex Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Rockingham Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Route 121 | 1.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Townshend, VT and Essex Junction, VT.
1
Start on VT 35
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Grafton Road
2
Continue on VT 35
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Athens Road
3
Continue on VT 35
5.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Route 35
4
Continue on VT 35
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Athens Road
5
Turn right onto VT 121
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Route 121 East
6
Continue on VT 121
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Saxtons River Road
7
Continue on VT 121
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
8
Continue on VT 121
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Saxtons River Road
9
Continue on VT 121
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Route 121
10
Continue on VT 121
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Old Terrace
11
Turn left onto Atkinson Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Atkinson Street
12
Turn straight onto US 5
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Rockingham Street
13
Continue on US 5
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Rockingham Road
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 91 North: Springfield, White River Junction
15
Merge onto I 91
35 mi
·
40 min
·
I 91
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 89 North
17
Merge onto I 89
83 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
I 89
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 12
Toward VT 2A: Williston, Essex Junction
19
Turn right onto VT 2A
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint George Road
20
Continue on VT 2A
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Essex Road
21
Continue on VT 2A
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Park Street
22
Turn slight right onto VT 15
79 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
VT 15
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.7 miles from Townshend, VT, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.7 miles or 1h 41m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Essex Junction, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Townshend, 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 Townshend, VT
This is one driving day of about 143.4 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Townshend, 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 89 for about 83.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.7 mi from Townshend, VT · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.7 miles from Townshend, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 89 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.1 miles.
Arriving in Essex Junction, VT
The final approach into Essex Junction, 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 Essex Junction, 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
$23.09 one way
$46.17 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $25.40 | $50.80 |
| premium | $4.86 | $27.46 | $54.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.66 | $63.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43 | 0 | $15.06 | $6.88 |
| Efficient EV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.55 | $5.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.08 | $9.18 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Essex Junction, VT
Afternoon in Essex Junction on Wednesday
Local time
2:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°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
5 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
3h 6m 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 Townshend, VT to Essex Junction, VT covers 143.4 miles and takes about 3h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 89, I 91, Route 35. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.7 miles from Townshend, VT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.09 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 6m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.1 miles (VT 121 / Route 121 East): Navigation decision point; at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Townshend, VT to Essex Junction, VT, road signs begin pointing toward White River Junction along the way.
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