Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Colchester, VT to Brandon, VT

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 33m

Distance

58.4 mi

94 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 26m ★
6 AM
1h 33m
8 AM
1h 47m
10 AM
1h 38m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 39m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 29m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Colchester, VT, VT

Colchester, VT

Wikimedia Commons

town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States

Brandon, VT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a straightforward trip through the heart of Vermont, the 58.4-mile journey from Colchester to Brandon is an ideal day trip. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 33 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable drive that leaves you plenty of time to explore once you arrive. With an estimated fuel cost of only $9, this is an economical way to navigate between these two Northeast locations. Because the duration is relatively short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. The route utilizes a mix of roads, including Vermont Route 116, the Ethan Allen Highway, and Case Street, offering a balanced travel experience. It is a practical choice for anyone wanting to traverse this region efficiently without the stress of a long-haul journey.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

29.2 miles from Colchester, VT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Vermont Route 116 14.2 mi 21m
Ethan Allen Highway 10.9 mi 16m
Case Street 6.1 mi 8m
South 116 Road 5.5 mi 8m
North 116 Road 4.1 mi 6m
Saint George Road 3.7 mi 5m
Essex Road 2.2 mi 3m
Vermont Route 2A 2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Vermont Route 116 — 14.2 mi, about 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colchester, VT and Brandon, VT.

1

Start on East Road

100 ft · 9 sec · East Road
2

Turn left onto VT 2A

1.5 mi · 2 min · Main Street
3

Continue on VT 2A

1.9 mi · 3 min · Colchester Road
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on VT 2A

0.9 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Street
5

Continue on VT 2A

0.7 mi · 2 min · Park Street
6

Continue on VT 2A

2.2 mi · 3 min · Essex Road
7

Continue on VT 2A

3.7 mi · 5 min · Saint George Road
8

Continue on VT 2A

2.0 mi · 2 min · Vermont Route 2A
9

At end of road, turn left onto VT 116

14 mi · 21 min · Vermont Route 116
Use the left lane.
10

Continue on VT 116

4.1 mi · 6 min · North 116 Road
11

Continue on VT 17; VT 116

0.9 mi · 1 min · Rockydale Road
12

Continue on VT 17; VT 116

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Street
13

Continue on VT 17; VT 116

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Main Street
14

Continue on VT 17; VT 116

0.6 mi · 53 sec · West Street
15

Continue on VT 17; VT 116

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Stony Hill Road
16

Turn left onto VT 116

2.1 mi · 3 min · South 116 Road
17

Continue on VT 116

3.4 mi · 5 min · South 116 Road
18

Continue on VT 116

6.1 mi · 8 min · Case Street
19

Turn right onto VT 116

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Ossie Road
20

At end of road, turn left onto US 7

1.1 mi · 1 min · U.S. Route 7 South
21

Continue on US 7

11 mi · 16 min · Ethan Allen Highway
22

Continue on US 7; VT 73

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Conant Square
23

Continue on US 7; VT 73

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Center Street
24

Turn left onto Park Street

109 ft · 4 sec · Park Street
25

Arrive at destination

Park Street

Trip Plan

Since this 1 hour and 33-minute trip is quite short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. While you won't need to plan for formal rest stops, keep in mind that the route's composition of local roads means your pace will fluctuate compared to strictly highway driving. Make sure to account for the $9 fuel budget before you head out to ensure a smooth, worry-free departure. Because the longest stretch of road is only 14.2 miles, you will find frequent opportunities to pull over if you need to stretch your legs or check your map. Focus on navigating the transitions between Vermont Route 116 and Case Street, as staying attentive during these road changes is the best way to maintain a steady, efficient pace throughout the entire 58.4-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 29.2 miles from Colchester, VT, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.2 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 13 miles or 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 29.2 miles or 47m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brandon, VT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Colchester, VT so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Colchester, VT

This is one driving day of about 58.4 miles and 1h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Colchester, VT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Vermont Route 116 for about 14.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Vermont, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bristol, VT

29 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Williston, VT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bristol, VT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 29.2 miles from Colchester, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · first break window

Bliss Bee

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Williston, Vermont

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 13min in 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+18025400094

Visit website

99 Restaurants

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Williston, Vermont

1.2 mi

Bliss Bee

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Williston, Vermont

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+18025400094

Visit website

99 Restaurants

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Williston, Vermont

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18028799901

Visit website

Zaytoona Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30

South Burlington, Vermont

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18028001008

Visit website

Zen Gardens

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

South Burlington, Vermont

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18028628885

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 5

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 58.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | VT 2A / Main Street

Turn left onto VT 2A / Main Street

Navigation decision point

6
12.9 mi into trip | ~22m in | VT 116 / Vermont Route 116

At end of road, turn left onto VT 116 / Vermont Route 116

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
3
33.9 mi into trip | ~55m in | VT 116 / South 116 Road

Turn left onto VT 116 / South 116 Road

Navigation decision point

4
46 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in | US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South

At end of road, turn left onto US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South

Navigation decision point

4
58.4 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in | Park Street

Turn left onto Park Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$9.40 one way

$18.80 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 20 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $10.34 $20.69
premium $4.86 $11.18 $22.37
diesel $5.61 $12.89 $25.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$34–$59

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 20.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 17.5 0 $6.13 $2.80
Efficient EV 14.6 0 $5.11 $2.34
EV Truck/SUV 23.4 0 $8.18 $3.74

Gas CO2

20 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (65% 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

Colchester, VT

Late night in Colchester on Tuesday

Local time

4:48 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brandon, VT

Late night in Brandon on Tuesday

Local time

4:48 AM

EDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

42°F

Bristol, VT

29 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

20 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

1h 33m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive offers a mixed-road profile, transitioning between different types of pavement to keep your trip engaging. Only 30 percent of the route consists of highway driving, so you will spend most of your time navigating local roads that offer a more grounded feel than a standard interstate commute. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along Vermont Route 116, which spans 14.2 miles. As you move away from the initial highway portions, the road environment shifts, requiring you to stay alert through the transition points. Expect a varied experience that moves you through diverse local landscapes rather than a monotonous, high-speed grind.

30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.2 mi on Vermont Route 116.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near VT 2A / Main Street.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Colchester, VT to Brandon, VT is easy. At 1h 33m with 30% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (VT 2A / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.9 miles (VT 116 / Vermont Route 116): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.9 miles (VT 116 / South 116 Road): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Arriving in Brandon, VT

Full guide →

Brandon is a town in Southern Vermont with a population of 4,000 people. The town is known for its vibrant arts scene, including several well known artists who reside there.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 58.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (30%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 14.2 miles on Vermont Route 116. 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: near the start (VT 2A / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.9 miles (VT 116 / Vermont Route 116): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.9 miles (VT 116 / South 116 Road): Navigation decision point.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Brandon, VT before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Brandon, VT to Colchester, VT

Plan the drive back the other way.

58.4 mi 1h 32m

Continue From Brandon, VT

Milton, VT 66.8 mi · 1h 45m Hartford, VT 59.4 mi · 1h 30m Pierces Corner, VT 20.8 mi · 34m

More from Colchester, VT

Guilford, VT 154.7 mi · 3h 7m Westminster, VT 135.3 mi · 2h 44m North Bennington, VT 128.3 mi · 3h 23m Jamaica, VT 117.4 mi · 3h 10m Ludlow, VT 115.1 mi · 2h 38m Manchester, VT 107.2 mi · 2h 55m

More trips to Brandon, VT

Bennington, VT 70.8 mi Barre, VT 58 mi Shelburne, VT 44.1 mi Wallingford, VT 25.6 mi
Escape planner: Colchester, VT Scenic drives in VT

Explore more options from Colchester, VT or browse trips ending in Brandon, VT.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VT road trips.