Spanning 145.7 miles through the heart of Vermont, this trek from Bennington to Hardwick typically takes about 3 hours and 36 minutes behind the wheel. Because the route is compact, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to budget roughly $23 for fuel, making this a budget-friendly way to traverse the state. The drive transitions from the southwestern corner of the Northeast region toward the northern reaches, offering a straightforward path for those looking to cross Vermont efficiently. While the journey is manageable in one go, you have the flexibility to add a stop to break up the drive if you prefer a more leisurely pace.
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
72.9 miles from Bennington, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Route 7
51.6 mi
1h 16m
I 89
27.6 mi
31m
Vermont Route 14 North
18.9 mi
28m
Vermont Route 100
10.7 mi
16m
U.S. Route 4 East
9.3 mi
14m
Vermont Route 107
8.6 mi
13m
U.S. Route 2
4.5 mi
7m
River Street
4.2 mi
7m
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 Hardwick, 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
1.4 mi·3 min·South Main Street
8
Turn right onto US 4
1.2 mi·2 min·Woodstock Avenue
9
Continue on US 4
9.3 mi·14 min·U.S. Route 4 East
10
Turn slight left onto VT 100
11 mi·16 min·Vermont Route 100
11
Continue on VT 107
6.7 mi·10 min·Vermont Route 107
12
Continue on VT 107
3.4 mi·5 min·River Street
13
Turn right onto VT 107
0.9 mi·1 min·South Main Street
14
Continue on VT 107
2.0 mi·3 min·Vermont Route 107
15
Turn left
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 89 North
16
Merge onto I 89
28 mi·31 min·I 89
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 7Toward VT 62 East: Berlin, Barre
18
Continue on VT 62
1.3 mi·1 min·Vermont Route 62
19
Keep slight right at fork onto Berlin State Highway
1.1 mi·1 min·Berlin State Highway
20
Turn left onto US 302
0.2 mi·24 sec·Barre-Montpelier Road
21
Continue on US 302
0.8 mi·1 min·River Street
22
Enter roundabout onto US 2
5 ft·0 sec·River Street
23
Continue on US 2
97 ft·1 sec·River Street
24
Merge onto US 2
0.4 mi·47 sec·East Montpelier Road
25
Continue on US 2
4.5 mi·7 min·U.S. Route 2
26
Turn left onto VT 14
19 mi·28 min·Vermont Route 14 North
27
Continue on VT 14
0.5 mi·53 sec·South Main Street
28
Turn left onto VT 14; VT 15
0.2 mi·19 sec·Wolcott Street
29
Turn right onto West Church Street
234 ft·11 sec·West Church Street
30
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
247 ft·11 sec·Highland Avenue
31
Turn right onto Daniels Road
0.1 mi·23 sec·Daniels Road
32
Turn slight right
78 ft·5 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 36-minute journey, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday traffic fluctuations on the busier segments. Since you only have one planned stop, use that time strategically to refuel or stretch your legs before tackling the final leg on Vermont Route 14 North. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $23 estimated cost can shift depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local station prices. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of scheduling your departure to suit your preference for morning light or afternoon arrival. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prepare for the transition from high-speed interstate travel to the slower, localized speed limits of state roads to ensure a smooth arrival in Hardwick.
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 72.9 miles from Bennington, VT, or about 1h 52m 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 32 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.9 miles or 1h 52m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hardwick, 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 145.7 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 118.9 — 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
4
89.3 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Turn left toward I 89 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 89 North
6
117.4 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward VT 62 East: Berlin, Barre
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7
Toward VT 62 East: Berlin, Barre
4
118.9 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|Berlin State Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto Berlin State Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.46 one way
$46.91 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$25.81
$51.61
premium
$4.86
$27.90
$55.80
diesel
$5.61
$32.17
$64.34
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: 51 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.7
0
$15.30
$6.99
Efficient EV
36.4
0
$12.75
$5.83
EV Truck/SUV
58.3
0
$20.40
$9.32
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Bennington, VT
Night
in Bennington on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hardwick, VT
Night
in Hardwick on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
36°F
Bethel, VT
73 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
8 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 36m 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.
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 80.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of this route relies on major thoroughfares like U.S. Route 7, I-89, and Vermont Route 14 North. You will start with a notable 51.6-mile stretch on U.S. Route 7, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. The road personality shifts from the high-speed flow of the interstate to the more controlled pace of Vermont Route 14 North as you approach Hardwick. Navigating this mix of fast highway stretches and local state roads requires you to stay alert during the transition points. Overall, the drive feels purposeful and efficient, keeping you moving steadily toward your destination without the fatigue of constant, winding backroads.
92% 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: 51.6 mi on U.S. Route 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Route 7 and I 89. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near US 7 / North Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 145.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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 89.3 miles: 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 Bennington, VT to Hardwick, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Barre along the way.
Barre
117.4 mi in|~2h 51m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 145.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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 Hardwick, 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 89.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes — Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Hardwick, VT, but most travelers stay overnight.
