Bennington, VT to Bakersfield, VT is 158.8 miles and takes about 4 hours 8 minutes via U.S. Route 7 and Vermont Route 116, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, specifically traversing Vermont from south to north. It's a highway-focused drive that offers a straightforward path through the state. With a recommended one-day duration and a manageable fuel cost, this route is a practical choice for a direct journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
79.4 miles from Bennington, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Route 7
51.6 mi
1h 16m
U.S. Route 7 North
15.1 mi
25m
Vermont Route 116
14.2 mi
21m
Vermont Route 15
13.9 mi
22m
Grove Street
10.9 mi
16m
Case Street
6 mi
8m
South 116 Road
5.5 mi
8m
Browns Trace
5.3 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
U.S. Route 7
— 51.6 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bennington, VT and Bakersfield, VT.
1
Start on VT 9
0.1 mi·26 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Depot Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Depot Street
3
Merge onto US 7
0.3 mi·47 sec·North Street
4
Continue on US 7
1.0 mi·1 min·U.S. Route 7 North
5
Merge onto US 7; VT 279
0.2 mi·15 sec·Bennington Bypass
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 7
52 mi·1 hr 16 min·U.S. Route 7
7
Continue on US 4; US 7
2.8 mi·5 min·South Main Street
8
Continue on US 7
14 mi·23 min·U.S. Route 7 North
9
Continue on US 7; VT 73
0.2 mi·42 sec·Center Street
10
Continue on US 7; VT 73
0.2 mi·39 sec·Conant Square
11
Continue on US 7
11 mi·16 min·Grove Street
12
Continue on US 7
1.1 mi·1 min·U.S. Route 7 South
13
Turn right onto VT 116
0.5 mi·45 sec·Ossie Road
14
Turn left onto VT 116
364 ft·6 sec·Church Street
15
Continue on VT 116
6.0 mi·8 min·Case Street
16
Continue on VT 116
5.5 mi·8 min·South 116 Road
17
Turn right onto VT 17; VT 116
0.5 mi·48 sec·Stony Hill Road
18
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.6 mi·55 sec·West Street
19
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.2 mi·22 sec·Main Street
20
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.5 mi·1 min·East Street
21
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.9 mi·1 min·Rockydale Road
22
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
4.1 mi·6 min·North 116 Road
23
Continue on VT 116
9.0 mi·13 min·Vermont Route 116
24
Continue on VT 116
5.3 mi·7 min·Vermont Route 116
25
Turn right onto VT 2A
2.0 mi·2 min·Vermont Route 2A
26
Continue on VT 2A
2.9 mi·4 min·Saint George Road
27
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
28
Merge onto I 89
5.2 mi·6 min·I 89
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·40 sec
Exit 11Toward US 2: Richmond, Bolton
30
Turn left onto US 2
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Main Street
31
Turn right onto VT 117
240 ft·6 sec·River Road
32
Turn right onto Governor Peck Highway
0.8 mi·1 min·Governor Peck Highway
33
Continue on Governor Peck Road
1.4 mi·2 min·Governor Peck Road
34
At end of road, turn left onto Browns Trace
1.8 mi·3 min·Browns Trace
35
Keep slight right at fork onto Browns Trace
3.5 mi·7 min·Browns Trace
36
At end of road, turn right onto VT 15
12 mi·18 min·Vermont Route 15
37
Continue on VT 15
2.3 mi·3 min·Vermont Route 15
38
Enter roundabout onto VT 108
212 ft·4 sec·Vermont Route 108 North
39
Continue on VT 108
4.1 mi·6 min·Vermont Route 108 North
40
Continue on VT 108
2.4 mi·3 min·Bakersfield Road
41
Continue on VT 108
3.7 mi·5 min·Vermont Route 108 South
42
Turn left onto VT 36
368 ft·7 sec·Fairfield Road
43
Arrive at destination
VT 36
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour driving time and single recommended day, you have flexibility in when you start your journey. Leaving in the morning will allow ample time to reach Bakersfield without feeling rushed. There's one designated stop area on this route, so plan your breaks accordingly, especially considering the longest stretch of 51.6 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $26, and it's always wise to top off before heading into any less populated stretches.
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 79.4 miles from Bennington, VT, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.6 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 35 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.4 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bakersfield, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bennington, 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 Bennington, VT
This is one driving day of about 158.8 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Bennington, 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 U.S. Route 7 for about 51.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 134.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|US 7 / North Street
Merge onto US 7 / North Street
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in|US 7 / U.S. Route 7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 7 / U.S. Route 7
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
126.7 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 2: Richmond, Bolton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 11
Toward US 2: Richmond, Bolton
5
126.9 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|US 2 / West Main Street
Turn left onto US 2 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
134.7 mi into trip|~3h 30m in|VT 15 / Vermont Route 15
At end of road, turn right onto VT 15 / Vermont Route 15
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.56 one way
$51.13 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$28.13
$56.26
premium
$4.86
$30.41
$60.82
diesel
$5.61
$35.06
$70.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.6
0
$16.67
$7.62
Efficient EV
39.7
0
$13.90
$6.35
EV Truck/SUV
63.5
0
$22.23
$10.16
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Bennington, VT
Night
in Bennington on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bakersfield, VT
Night
in Bakersfield on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
36°F
Huntington, VT
79 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
6 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
4h 8m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Walk through one of Vermont's most beautiful landscapes under the shade of the Mount Tom Forest, the oldest continuously managed scientific forest in the United States. This is a landscape of loss, re...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 54.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with about 70% of the journey taking place on major roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on U.S. Route 7 North, experiencing its consistent flow. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 51.6 miles on U.S. Route 7, offering a chance to settle in. As you progress north, the route transitions to Vermont Route 116, offering a slightly different driving feel as you continue toward your destination.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.6 mi on U.S. Route 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Route 7 and U.S. Route 7 North. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near US 7 / North Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 158.8 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 0.6 miles (US 7 / North Street): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 2.1 miles (US 7 / U.S. Route 7): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 126.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Bennington, VT to Bakersfield, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Bolton along the way.
Bolton
126.7 mi in|~3h 13m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 158.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.6 miles on U.S. Route 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Bakersfield, VT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through VT can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (US 7 / North Street): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 2.1 miles (US 7 / U.S. Route 7): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 126.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Bakersfield, VT, but most travelers stay overnight.
