If you are planning a transit across northern Vermont, this 76.4-mile trip from Burlington to St. Johnsbury is a straightforward connection between the Lake Champlain area and the Northeast Kingdom. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 38 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal one-day excursion. Budget roughly $12 for fuel to complete the journey, which relies heavily on major thoroughfares. Because the drive is efficient and relatively short, you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have extra time to explore the destination. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick change of scenery, this route offers a practical link between two distinct parts of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.2 miles from Burlington, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 89
35.3 mi
41m
U.S. Route 2
33.4 mi
41m
River Street
1.3 mi
2m
Main Street
1.3 mi
3m
Memorial Drive
1.2 mi
2m
High Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Railroad Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Berlin Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 35.3 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, VT and St Johnsbury, VT.
1
Start on Main Street
1.2 mi·3 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on US 2
0.2 mi·35 sec·Williston Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 89 South: MontpelierUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 89
35 mi·41 min·I 89
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 8Toward US 2: Montpelier, Saint Johnsbury
6
Continue on Memorial Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·Memorial Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 2
0.5 mi·1 min·Berlin Street
8
Turn slight left onto US 2
1.2 mi·2 min·River Street
9
Enter roundabout onto US 2
137 ft·1 sec·River Street
10
Continue on US 2
97 ft·1 sec·River Street
11
Merge onto US 2
0.4 mi·47 sec·East Montpelier Road
12
Continue on US 2
7.1 mi·11 min·U.S. Route 2
13
Continue on US 2
0.6 mi·39 sec·High Street
14
Continue on US 2
0.2 mi·12 sec·School Street
15
Continue on US 2
26 mi·30 min·U.S. Route 2
16
Continue on US 2
0.4 mi·36 sec·Western Avenue
17
Continue on US 2
227 ft·3 sec·Western Avenue
18
Continue on US 2; US 5 Alternate
0.1 mi·11 sec·Main Street
19
Turn right onto US 2
0.3 mi·32 sec·Eastern Avenue
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 5
0.5 mi·56 sec·Railroad Street
21
Turn sharp left onto Main Street
90 ft·3 sec·Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid any potential rush hour congestion near Burlington. With no mandatory stops required for a 1-hour and 38-minute duration, you can easily complete the trip in one sitting without needing to plan for long breaks. Keep in mind that the majority of your travel is on high-speed infrastructure, so ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained highway driving before you depart. My best advice is to fill up your tank before leaving Burlington, as the $12 fuel estimate is based on typical transit and having a full tank gives you total peace of mind for the duration of the 76.4-mile trek.
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 38.2 miles from Burlington, VT, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.3 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.2 miles or 48m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St Johnsbury, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Burlington, VT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Burlington, VT
This is one driving day of about 76.4 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Burlington, VT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 89 for about 35.3 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 1.4 and 76.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 89 South: Montpelier
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 89 South: Montpelier
6
36.9 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward US 2: Montpelier, Saint Johnsbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 8
Toward US 2: Montpelier, Saint Johnsbury
4
40.4 mi into trip|~52m in|US 2 / River Street
Enter roundabout onto US 2 / River Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
75.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|US 2; US 5 / Railroad Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 5 / Railroad Street
Navigation decision point
5
76.4 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|Main Street
Turn sharp left onto Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.30 one way
$24.60 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$13.53
$27.06
premium
$4.86
$14.63
$29.26
diesel
$5.61
$16.87
$33.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.9
0
$8.02
$3.67
Efficient EV
19.1
0
$6.69
$3.06
EV Truck/SUV
30.6
0
$10.70
$4.89
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 14, 2026
Origin
Burlington, VT
Morning
in Burlington on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
S 12 mph84% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:13PM EDT until April 14 at 6:15PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:52PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Destination
St Johnsbury, VT
Morning
in St Johnsbury on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Rain Showers
S 5 mph89% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:13PM EDT until April 14 at 6:15PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:52PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
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
1 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
1h 38m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 90% of your travel occurring on major routes including I-89, U.S. Route 2, and River Street. You will settle into a rhythmic pace during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 35.3 miles on I-89, which provides the bulk of the mileage. As you transition off the interstate and onto secondary roads like River Street, the character of the drive shifts from high-speed transit to more localized traffic. Expect a consistent, efficient experience that prioritizes speed over technical curves or winding backroads. It is a functional drive designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.3 mi on I 89.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and U.S. Route 2. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 38m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 36.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.4 miles (US 2 / River Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,456 ft197 ft
Total Climb
1,260 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
1,456 ft
~65.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,260 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 Burlington, VT to St Johnsbury, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Johnsbury along the way.
Saint Johnsbury
36.9 mi in|~45m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 76.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 35.3 miles on I 89. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 36.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.4 miles (US 2 / River Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at St Johnsbury, VT before heading back.
