Bennington to Saint Johnsbury is 156 miles and takes about 3 hours 24 minutes via I 91 and U.S. Route 7, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Vermont, connecting the Northeast region from its southern edge to its northern reaches. Expect a largely highway experience, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. With only one recommended stop, it's a quick way to cover ground within the state.
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
78 miles from Bennington, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 91
93.4 mi
1h 48m
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
— 93.4 mi, about 1h 48m
Traffic on I-91
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~453 veh/hr typical
· worst 835
Quietest
1 AM
~14 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
32.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 63 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 Saint Johnsbury, 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
93 mi·1 hr 48 min·I 91
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 20Toward US 5: Saint Johnsbury
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
21
Turn straight onto US 5
0.9 mi·1 min·US 5
22
Turn right onto US 2
105 ft·1 sec·Portland Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 2
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3 hour 24 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Bennington to avoid any potential traffic. Since this is a single-day trip with just one recommended stop, you have flexibility to either push through or take a break as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 93.4-mile stretch on I 91 where services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $27 should help you budget accordingly for the 156-mile journey.
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 78 miles from Bennington, VT, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.4 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 34 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78 miles or 1h 53m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Johnsbury, 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 156 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 I 91 for about 93.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 155 — 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
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...
5
154.8 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 5: Saint Johnsbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 20
Toward US 5: Saint Johnsbury
5
155 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.23 one way
$54.45 round trip
$4.43/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.93
$30.30
$60.61
premium
$5.30
$32.56
$65.11
diesel
$6.18
$37.95
$75.90
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: 54.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.8
0
$16.38
$7.49
Efficient EV
39
0
$13.65
$6.24
EV Truck/SUV
62.4
0
$21.84
$9.98
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Bennington, VT
Late night
in Bennington on Tuesday
Local time
4:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
SW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Saint Johnsbury, VT
Late night
in Saint Johnsbury on Tuesday
Local time
4:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Sunny
S 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
55°F
Rockingham, VT
78 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
2 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 24m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 91.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 90% of the 156 miles on major roads like I 91. You'll experience a long stretch of 93.4 miles on I 91 without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads, primarily Vermont Route 11 30, will occur later in the drive. Given the high highway percentage, anticipate frequent exits and merges as you navigate the interstate system.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.4 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 10 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 156 miles you will encounter 10 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 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,553 ft403 ft
Total Climb
1,793 ft
Total Descent
1,874 ft
Highest Point
1,553 ft
~34.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,150 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 Saint Johnsbury, 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.
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 3h 24m. Total distance: 156 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.4 miles on I 91. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Saint Johnsbury, 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 8 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 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.2 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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Johnsbury, VT, but most travelers stay overnight.
