Bennington, VT to Franklin, VT is 166.5 miles and takes about 4h 12m via U.S. Route 7 and I 89, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Vermont, connecting the Northeast region of the state to itself. It's a highway-focused journey, making it a straightforward trip for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll be spending a good portion of your time on major arteries, so expect quicker travel times. This route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
83.2 miles from Bennington, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Route 7
54.8 mi
1h 20m
I 89
25.8 mi
30m
U.S. Route 7 North
15.1 mi
25m
Ethan Allen Highway
12.3 mi
19m
Grove Street
10.9 mi
16m
North Pleasant Street
10.2 mi
13m
Vermont Route 105
6.7 mi
10m
Shelburne Road
6.6 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
U.S. Route 7
— 54.8 mi, about 1h 20m
Traffic on I-89
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,762 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~83 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 33 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bennington, VT and Franklin, 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
4.0 mi·5 min·U.S. Route 7 South
13
Continue on US 7; VT 125
1.2 mi·3 min·Court Street
14
Enter roundabout onto US 7
375 ft·14 sec·North Pleasant Street
15
Continue on US 7
10 mi·13 min·North Pleasant Street
16
Continue on US 7
3.1 mi·4 min·U.S. Route 7
17
Continue on US 7
12 mi·19 min·Ethan Allen Highway
18
Continue on US 7
6.6 mi·13 min·Shelburne Road
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 189: Montpelier, Saint AlbansUse the slight right / right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 189
1.2 mi·1 min·I 189
Toward I 89
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 89 North: Winooski, Saint Albans
22
Merge onto I 89
26 mi·30 min·I 89
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 19Toward US 7, VT 36, VT 104: Saint Albans
24
Turn right onto VT 104
0.6 mi·1 min·Fairfax Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on VT 104
1.8 mi·3 min·Fisher Pond Road
26
Continue on VT 105
4.4 mi·6 min·Sheldon Road
27
Continue on VT 105
6.7 mi·10 min·Vermont Route 105
28
Turn left onto VT 120
1.7 mi·3 min·Vermont Route 120
29
Continue on VT 120
2.6 mi·4 min·North Sheldon Road
30
Continue on VT 120
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
31
Turn left onto Hanna Road
171 ft·6 sec·Hanna Road
32
Turn right
56 ft·4 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 12m duration, this trip is comfortably manageable in a single day, so you can leave whenever suits your schedule. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 54.8 miles on U.S. Route 7, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps before embarking on this longer segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, it's a relatively budget-friendly drive. Keep an eye on the road signs as you transition between U.S. Route 7 and I 89 to ensure you're following the correct path to Franklin. This is a direct route, so focus on enjoying the drive rather than getting lost.
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 83.2 miles from Bennington, VT, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.8 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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.2 miles or 2h 9m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, 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 166.5 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 54.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 147.7 — 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
7
119.5 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 189: Montpelier, Saint Albans
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right / right lanes.
Toward I 189: Montpelier, Saint Albans
6
121 mi into trip|~3h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 89 North: Winooski, Saint Albans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 89 North: Winooski, Saint Albans
6
147.1 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 7, VT 36, VT 104: Saint Albans
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 19
Toward US 7, VT 36, VT 104: Saint Albans
5
147.7 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|VT 104 / Fairfax Road
Turn right onto VT 104 / Fairfax Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.43 one way
$58.86 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$32.24
$64.48
premium
$5.29
$34.67
$69.34
diesel
$5.35
$35.07
$70.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50
0
$17.48
$7.99
Efficient EV
41.6
0
$14.57
$6.66
EV Truck/SUV
66.6
0
$23.31
$10.66
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Bennington, VT
Afternoon
in Bennington on Wednesday
Local time
3:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Patchy Fog
NW 1 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Franklin, VT
Afternoon
in Franklin on Wednesday
Local time
3:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Patchy Fog
NW 1 mph4% chanceLive forecast
74°F
New Haven, VT
83 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
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
4h 12m 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 51.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 66% of the journey utilizing interstate or major highway conditions. You'll experience a significant stretch of 54.8 miles on U.S. Route 7, offering a consistent pace for a considerable portion of the trip. As you progress, the route transitions between different main roads, including U.S. Route 7 and I 89, providing a mix of driving experiences. While predominantly highway, the changes in road designation will keep the drive from becoming entirely monotonous. Expect mostly smooth sailing on well-maintained thoroughfares.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.8 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 I 89. You will hit about 14 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 166.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 119.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
982 ft168 ft
Total Climb
823 ft
Total Descent
1,055 ft
Highest Point
982 ft
~11.9 mi in
Elevation Range
814 ft
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 Franklin, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Albans along the way.
Bennington is a town in Southwestern Vermont. Boasting five covered bridges it is a classic Vermont country town, and is also home to Bennington College. This article also encompasses the neighboring town of North Bennington.
Top landmarks
•Old Bennington — village in Vermont
•Bennington Battle Monument — monument in Bennington, Vermont, United States
•Bennington Museum — museum in Bennington, Vermont, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 166.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.8 miles on U.S. Route 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Franklin, 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. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 119.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Franklin, VT, but most travelers stay overnight.
