Spanning 87.6 miles across Vermont, this straightforward trek connects Bennington to Hartland in approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget about $14 for fuel to cover the distance, making this an economical choice for a regional getaway. Since both towns reside within the Northeast, you will experience consistent travel conditions throughout the journey. Whether you are heading north for business or a quick change of scenery, the route provides a reliable connection through the heart of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.8 miles from Bennington, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 91
25 mi
28m
U.S. Route 7
21.2 mi
28m
Vermont Route 11 30
11.5 mi
17m
Rockingham Road
6.6 mi
10m
Vermont Route 11
5.6 mi
8m
Vermont Route 11 West
4.4 mi
6m
Simonsville Road
3.7 mi
5m
Vermont Route 103 South
2.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 91
— 25 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bennington, VT and Hartland, 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
21 mi·28 min·U.S. Route 7
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward VT 11, VT 30
8
Turn right onto VT 11; VT 30
1.7 mi·2 min·Depot Street
9
Continue on VT 11; VT 30
12 mi·17 min·Vermont Route 11 30
10
Continue on VT 100; VT 11
0.4 mi·59 sec·North Main Street
11
Continue on VT 11
5.6 mi·8 min·Vermont Route 11
12
Continue on VT 11
3.7 mi·5 min·Simonsville Road
13
Continue on VT 11
4.4 mi·6 min·Vermont Route 11 West
14
Continue on VT 11
1.2 mi·3 min·Main Street
15
Continue on VT 103
2.5 mi·4 min·Vermont Route 103 South
16
Continue on VT 103
6.6 mi·10 min·Rockingham Road
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 91 North: Springfield, White River Junction
18
Merge onto I 91
25 mi·28 min·I 91
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 9Toward US 5, VT 12: Hartland, Windsor
20
Turn left onto US 5; VT 12
1.1 mi·1 min·U.S. Route 5
21
Arrive at destination
US 5; VT 12
Trip Plan
Given the quick 2-hour and 5-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around traffic or personal preference. Since there are no designated stops required by the route data, you can easily manage the entire 87.6-mile distance in one go without fatigue. Make sure your tank is ready for the trip, keeping in mind the $14 fuel cost estimate. To make the most of your drive, prioritize keeping a steady pace on I-91, which accounts for the most significant portion of your travel time. This streamlined route is ideal for those who prefer getting to their destination quickly rather than lingering on the road.
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 43.8 miles from Bennington, VT, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.8 miles or 1h 5m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hartland, 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 87.6 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Bennington, VT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 91 for about 25 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 86.3 — 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
5
23.3 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward VT 11, VT 30
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward VT 11, VT 30
7
61.2 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 91 North: Springfield, White River Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 91 North: Springfield, White River Jun...
6
86.3 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 5, VT 12: Hartland, Windsor
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 9
Toward US 5, VT 12: Hartland, Windsor
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.10 one way
$28.20 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$15.52
$31.03
premium
$4.86
$16.78
$33.55
diesel
$5.61
$19.34
$38.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.3
0
$9.20
$4.20
Efficient EV
21.9
0
$7.66
$3.50
EV Truck/SUV
35
0
$12.26
$5.61
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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 as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Bennington, VT
Late night
in Bennington on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hartland, VT
Late night
in Hartland on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Londonderry, VT
44 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
22 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
2h 5m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on major thoroughfares, with 82% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will navigate a combination of I-91, U.S. Route 7, and Vermont Route 11/30 to complete the journey. The experience is defined by efficiency, featuring a longest uninterrupted stretch of 25 miles while cruising on I-91. While you transition between different road types, the overall character remains practical and fast-paced. Expect a steady, predictable rhythm behind the wheel as you move through these primary Vermont transportation corridors.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25 mi on I 91.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 91 and U.S. Route 7. You will hit about 9 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 87.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 23.3 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 Hartland, VT, road signs begin pointing toward White River Junction 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 87.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 25 miles on I 91. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Hartland, 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. 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 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hartland, VT before heading back.
