This 92.4-mile drive from Colchester, VT, to Sutton, VT, is a manageable day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 7 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing U.S. Route 2, I-89, and I-91, the journey offers a highway-focused experience through Vermont's Northeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, this route is budget-friendly for a single day's adventure. You won't need to split this drive into multiple days; it's perfectly suited for a straightforward excursion. The overall feel is efficient travel, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.2 miles from Colchester, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Route 2
32.9 mi
41m
I 89
24.9 mi
28m
I 91
6.6 mi
7m
Calendar Brook Road
4.5 mi
10m
Vermont Route 289
4.5 mi
7m
River Road
3.2 mi
5m
Vermont Route 117
2.8 mi
4m
Lynburke Road
2.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
U.S. Route 2
— 32.9 mi, about 41m
Traffic on I-89
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,245 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,567
Quietest
1 AM
~35 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
35.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 35 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 Colchester, VT and Sutton, 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
1.0 mi·1 min·Colchester Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto VT 289
4.5 mi·7 min·Vermont Route 289
Toward VT 289 EastUse the left lane.
5
At end of road, turn left onto VT 117
2.4 mi·3 min·River Road
Toward US 2, VT 289 West: Richmond
6
Continue on VT 117
2.8 mi·4 min·Vermont Route 117
7
Continue on VT 117
0.8 mi·1 min·River Road
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 2
0.3 mi·36 sec·West Main Street
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
10
Merge onto I 89
25 mi·28 min·I 89
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 8Toward US 2: Montpelier, Saint Johnsbury
12
Continue on Memorial Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·Memorial Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 2
0.5 mi·1 min·Berlin Street
14
Turn slight left onto US 2
1.2 mi·2 min·River Street
15
Enter roundabout onto US 2
137 ft·1 sec·River Street
16
Continue on US 2
97 ft·1 sec·River Street
17
Merge onto US 2
0.4 mi·47 sec·East Montpelier Road
18
Continue on US 2
7.1 mi·11 min·U.S. Route 2
19
Continue on US 2
0.6 mi·39 sec·High Street
20
Continue on US 2
0.2 mi·12 sec·School Street
21
Continue on US 2
26 mi·29 min·U.S. Route 2
22
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 91
23
Merge onto I 91
6.6 mi·7 min·I 91
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 23Toward US 5: Lyndonville, East Burke
25
Turn right onto US 5
0.3 mi·27 sec·Memorial Drive
26
Continue on US 5
1.0 mi·1 min·Broad Street
27
Continue on US 5
0.1 mi·12 sec·Depot Street
28
At end of road, turn right onto US 5
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
29
Turn straight onto US 5
2.7 mi·4 min·Lynburke Road
30
Turn slight left onto Calendar Brook Road
4.5 mi·10 min·Calendar Brook Road
31
Turn slight right onto Center Street
157 ft·5 sec·Center Street
32
Turn right onto Burke Road
182 ft·8 sec·Burke Road
33
Arrive at destination
Burke Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 7 minutes for this 92.4-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility. Consider leaving Colchester in the morning to maximize daylight and take advantage of the lower fuel cost of $15. There are no specified stops in the data, so you can decide on breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before departing, as the longest stretch is over 30 miles. This route is straightforward, making it easy to navigate and enjoy without needing extensive planning.
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 46.2 miles from Colchester, VT, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.9 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 20 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.2 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sutton, 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.
+
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 Colchester, VT
This is one driving day of about 92.4 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Colchester, VT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on U.S. Route 2 for about 32.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 84.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in|VT 289 / Vermont Route 289
Turn left onto VT 289 / Vermont Route 289 toward VT 289 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward VT 289 East
5
7 mi into trip|~11m in|VT 117 / River Road
At end of road, turn left onto VT 117 / River Road toward US 2, VT 289 West: Richmond
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 2, VT 289 West: Richmond
6
38.3 mi into trip|~50m 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
6
82.7 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 5: Lyndonville, East Burke
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 23
Toward US 5: Lyndonville, East Burke
5
84.4 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|US 5 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 5 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.50 one way
$29.00 round trip
$3.99/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$16.28
$32.57
premium
$4.81
$17.51
$35.01
diesel
$4.80
$17.45
$34.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.7
0
$9.70
$4.44
Efficient EV
23.1
0
$8.09
$3.70
EV Truck/SUV
37
0
$12.94
$5.91
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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 Jul 8, 2026
Origin
Colchester, VT
Late night
in Colchester on Sunday
Local time
4:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
SE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sutton, VT
Late night
in Sutton on Sunday
Local time
4:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
2h 7m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 78% of the route on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.9 miles along U.S. Route 2, offering a good period of consistent travel. While much of this journey is on interstates, the inclusion of U.S. Route 2 breaks up the monotony, providing a slightly varied driving experience. This mix means you'll experience both efficient highway cruising and stretches on a more traditional American highway.
78% 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: 32.9 mi on U.S. Route 2.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Route 2 and I 89. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near VT 289 / Vermont Route 289.
Driving Effort5/10
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 92.4 miles you will encounter 15 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 2.5 miles (VT 289 / Vermont Route 289): Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (VT 117 / River Road): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,558 ft271 ft
Total Climb
1,830 ft
Total Descent
893 ft
Highest Point
1,558 ft
~66 mi in
Elevation Range
1,287 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Colchester, VT and Sutton, VT, road signs point toward Saint Johnsbury and Burke.
Saint Johnsbury
38.3 mi in|~50m
Burke
82.7 mi in|~1h 48m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Colchester is a town in Northwest Vermont. It is home to Saint Michael's College. Colchester is primarily a bedroom community of Burlington. The town is very spread out, with most businesses and residences clustered in three villages: Colchester village, Mallet's Bay, and Severance Corners. St. Michael's College is located in the southeast corner of the town near Winooski and Essex Junction.
Top landmarks
•Fort Ethan Allen — historic Army base in Vermont, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 92.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.9 miles on U.S. Route 2. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 2.5 miles (VT 289 / Vermont Route 289): Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (VT 117 / River Road): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.3 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 Sutton, VT before heading back.
