Trip from Waitsfield, VT to Hartford, VT

Drive Time

1h 31m

Distance

71.3 mi

115 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 25m ★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 27m

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

Downtown Waitsfield, VT, VT

Waitsfield, VT

Andrea Davis

Downtown Hartford, VT, VT

Hartford, VT

Andrea Davis

Trip Overview

If you are looking to travel from Waitsfield to Hartford, Vermont, expect a 71.3-mile journey that takes approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes. This route is designed as a direct day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay to reach your destination. With a modest fuel budget of about $10, it is an economical choice for travelers navigating the Northeast. Since you are staying entirely within Vermont, you will experience the classic charm of the region without crossing state lines. Because the drive is relatively short and straightforward, it serves as a practical connection between these two locations for anyone aiming to complete the trip in a single session.

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

35.7 miles from Waitsfield, VT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Drive Character

Forget about the monotony of long highway stretches; this route consists of 0% highway driving, opting instead for a turn-heavy local experience. You will navigate via Bridge Street, East Warren Road, and Roxbury Mountain Road, keeping your focus sharp as you transition through the local topography. The character of this drive is distinctly technical rather than fast-paced, requiring you to stay engaged with every curve and intersection. Because the path relies exclusively on local roads, you should prepare for a steady, winding pace rather than high-speed cruising. It is an ideal way to see the landscape up close while maintaining constant control behind the wheel.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 54.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and Vermont Route 100B. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 12.3 miles in near US 2 / U.S. Route 2.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Waitsfield, VT to Hartford, VT is easy. At 1h 31m with 89% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 12.3 miles (US 2 / U.S. Route 2): Navigation decision point; at 13 miles: Navigation decision point; at 13.1 miles (I 89): Merge point - match speed before joining.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

3
12.3 mi into trip | ~21m in | US 2 / U.S. Route 2

Turn left onto US 2 / U.S. Route 2

Navigation decision point

4
13 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

3
13.1 mi into trip | ~22m in | I 89

Merge onto I 89

Merge point - match speed before joining

5
67.9 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Take the exit toward US 4: Woodstock, Quechee

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 4: Woodstock, Quechee
4
68.3 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in | US 4 / Woodstock Road

At end of road, turn right onto US 4 / Woodstock Road

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 89 54.7 mi 1h 3m
Vermont Route 100B 7.9 mi 13m
Main Street 3.9 mi 6m
Woodstock Road 2.6 mi 3m
U.S. Route 2 0.5 mi 1m
Vermont Route 100 South 0.5 mi <1m
V.A. Cutoff Road 0.4 mi <1m
Center Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 89 — 54.7 mi, about 1h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waitsfield, VT and Hartford, VT.

1

Start on VT 100

3.9 mi · 6 min · Main Street
2

Continue on VT 100

0.5 mi · 45 sec · Vermont Route 100 South
3

Continue on VT 100B

7.9 mi · 13 min · Vermont Route 100B
4

Turn left onto US 2

0.5 mi · 1 min · U.S. Route 2
5

Turn slight right

145 ft · 6 sec
6

Turn straight onto Center Road

241 ft · 5 sec · Center Road
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
8

Merge onto I 89

55 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 89
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward US 4: Woodstock, Quechee
10

At end of road, turn right onto US 4

2.6 mi · 3 min · Woodstock Road
11

Turn right onto TH 132

144 ft · 11 sec · TH 132
12

Turn left onto V.A. Cutoff Road

0.4 mi · 54 sec · V.A. Cutoff Road
13

Arrive at destination

Christian Street

Trip Plan

Given the turn-heavy nature of these local roads, plan your departure during daylight hours to ensure maximum visibility of the winding path. Since the total transit time is under two hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule without needing to worry about mid-trip rest stops. Keep in mind that your $10 fuel estimate is based on a direct run, so ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Waitsfield to avoid searching for stations along the more remote stretches. A smart approach is to treat this as a focused drive where you prioritize concentration on the road's curves over speed. With no mandatory stops required, you can easily complete the 71.3-mile distance in one comfortable, uninterrupted push.

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 35.7 miles from Waitsfield, VT, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.7 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 71.3 miles or 1h 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 35.7 miles or 48m 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 17m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Waitsfield, 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 Waitsfield, VT

This is one driving day of about 71.3 miles and 1h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waitsfield, 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 54.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 35.7 mi from Waitsfield, VT · 48m into the drive

Downtown Peru, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Peru, NY

36 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 71.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peru, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 35.7 miles from Waitsfield, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Hartford, VT

The final approach into Hartford, 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 Hartford, 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

$11.41 one way

$22.83 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $12.51 $25.02
premium $4.83 $13.55 $27.11
diesel $5.64 $15.84 $31.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 24.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.4 0 $7.49 $3.42
Efficient EV 17.8 0 $6.24 $2.85
EV Truck/SUV 28.5 0 $9.98 $4.56

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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

Waitsfield, VT

Late night in Waitsfield on Monday

Local time

2:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hartford, VT

Late night in Hartford on Monday

Local time

2:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

51°F

Peru, NY

36 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

2 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

1h 31m 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 Waitsfield, VT to Hartford, VT covers 71.3 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 89, Vermont Route 100B, Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.7 miles from Waitsfield, VT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.41 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 Waitsfield, VT to Hartford, VT is easy. At 1h 31m with 89% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.3 miles (US 2 / U.S. Route 2): Navigation decision point; at 13 miles: Navigation decision point; at 13.1 miles (I 89): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from Waitsfield, VT to Hartford, VT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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