Origin
Wilmington, VT
Afternoon in Wilmington on Wednesday
Local time
4:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wilmington, VT to Burlington, VT
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 31m
Distance
169.7 mi
273 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 19m
★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wilmington, VT
Tim Dusenberry
Burlington, VT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 169.7-mile drive from Wilmington to Burlington, Vermont, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 31 minutes. With 95% of the route on highways, it's an efficient way to travel within the Northeast region. The estimated fuel cost is around $27, making it an economical option for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-89, I-91, and Vermont Route 9 East. Given its manageable length and primarily highway profile, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip.
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
84.9 miles from Wilmington, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 169.7-mile trip, with 95% of your travel occurring on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 88.2 miles on I-89, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. While mostly highway, the inclusion of Vermont Route 9 East provides a slight variation in scenery and road type. This route is designed for efficient travel, allowing you to cover ground quickly and with minimal detours.
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 88.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and I 91. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 18.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Wilmington, VT to Burlington, VT is easy. At 3h 31m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 18.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.9 miles (I 91): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 79.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
18.3 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
3
18.9 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 91
Merge onto I 91
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
79.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 89 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 89 North
3
79.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
I 89
Merge onto I 89
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
167.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 2 West: Burlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 2 West: Burlington
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 89 | 88.2 mi | 1h 42m |
| I 91 | 60.6 mi | 1h 10m |
| Vermont Route 9 East | 11.7 mi | 19m |
| Marlboro Road | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Western Avenue | 1.7 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| East Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Williston Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 88.2 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington, VT and Burlington, VT.
1
Start on South Main Street
96 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Continue on VT 9; VT 100
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on VT 9; VT 100
12 mi
·
19 min
·
Vermont Route 9 East
4
Continue on VT 9
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Marlboro Road
5
Continue on VT 9
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Western Avenue
6
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
7
Merge onto I 91
61 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 91
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 89 North
9
Merge onto I 89
88 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
I 89
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
Toward US 2 West: Burlington
11
Turn straight onto US 2
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Williston Road
12
Continue on US 2
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 31-minute drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Burlington without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop and 95% of the route on highways, you can easily manage fuel and rest breaks. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 88.2 miles on I-89, so plan your break before or after this segment if needed. Consider checking Vermont's traffic conditions before you depart, especially if traveling during peak hours or on a weekend.
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 84.9 miles from Wilmington, VT, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.2 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 37 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.9 miles or 1h 50m 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 53m
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 Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, VT
This is one driving day of about 169.7 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Wilmington, 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 88.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.9 mi from Wilmington, VT · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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 84.9 miles from Wilmington, 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 88.2 miles.
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
$27.32 one way
$54.64 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $30.06 | $60.12 |
| premium | $4.86 | $32.50 | $64.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.47 | $74.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.9 | 0 | $17.82 | $8.15 |
| Efficient EV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.85 | $6.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.9 | 0 | $23.76 | $10.86 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Burlington, VT
Afternoon in Burlington on Wednesday
Local time
4:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Hartford, VT
85 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
1 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
3h 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 Wilmington, VT to Burlington, VT covers 169.7 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 89, I 91, Vermont Route 9 East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.9 miles from Wilmington, VT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.32 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.
The drive from Wilmington, VT to Burlington, VT is easy. At 3h 31m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.9 miles (I 91): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 79.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Wilmington, VT to Burlington, VT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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