Colchester, VT to Townshend, VT is 147.4 miles and takes about 3h 15m via I 89 and I 91, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Vermont, starting in the Northeast region and ending in the same area. The majority of this drive is on major highways, making it a straightforward and efficient route for a day trip. If you're looking for a relatively quick drive between these two points in Vermont, this route offers a practical option.
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
73.7 miles from Colchester, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 89
77.4 mi
1h 29m
I 91
34.4 mi
39m
Route 35
5 mi
10m
Vermont Route 289
4.5 mi
7m
Saxtons River Road
4.5 mi
8m
Grafton Road
3.3 mi
6m
River Road
3.2 mi
5m
Vermont Route 117
2.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 77.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Traffic on I-89
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 31 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,086 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,377
Quietest
1 AM
~33 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
32.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Townshend, 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
77 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 89
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 91: Brattleboro, White River
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 91 South: Brattleboro
13
Merge onto I 91
34 mi·39 min·I 91
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward US 5, VT 103: Rockingham, Bellows Falls
15
Turn right onto VT 103
2.5 mi·3 min·Rockingham Road
16
Continue on US 5
0.6 mi·56 sec·Rockingham Street
17
Turn straight onto Atkinson Street
0.8 mi·2 min·Atkinson Street
18
Turn right onto VT 121
0.4 mi·43 sec·Old Terrace
19
Continue on VT 121
1.8 mi·4 min·Route 121
20
Continue on VT 121
1.8 mi·3 min·Saxtons River Road
21
Continue on VT 121
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
22
Keep slight right at fork onto VT 121
0.3 mi·50 sec·Main Street
23
Continue on VT 121
2.7 mi·5 min·Saxtons River Road
24
Continue on VT 121
0.2 mi·32 sec·Route 121 East
25
At end of road, turn left onto VT 35
0.2 mi·35 sec·Athens Road
26
Continue on VT 35
1.1 mi·2 min·Route 35
27
Keep slight right at fork onto VT 35
3.9 mi·8 min·Route 35
28
Continue on VT 35
1.6 mi·2 min·Athens Road
29
Continue on VT 35
3.3 mi·6 min·Grafton Road
30
Arrive at destination
VT 35
Trip Plan
For this 147.4-mile drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and ensure a relaxed pace. With a total duration of around 3 hours and 15 minutes, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing to split it. Consider fueling up before you depart, as there's only one recommended stop, and the estimated fuel cost is $26. Pay attention to your exit numbers on I 91, as this is where you'll transition to Route 35 for the final leg of your 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 73.7 miles from Colchester, VT, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.4 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 32 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.7 miles or 1h 31m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Townshend, 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 147.4 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Colchester, 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 89 for about 77.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 125.6 — 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
5
90.7 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward I 91: Brattleboro, White River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 91: Brattleboro, White River
6
91 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 91 South: Brattleboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 91 South: Brattleboro
6
125.6 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 5, VT 103: Rockingham, Bellows Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 6
Toward US 5, VT 103: Rockingham, Bellows Falls
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.06 one way
$52.11 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$28.54
$57.08
premium
$5.29
$30.69
$61.39
diesel
$5.35
$31.05
$62.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.2
0
$15.48
$7.08
Efficient EV
36.9
0
$12.90
$5.90
EV Truck/SUV
59
0
$20.64
$9.43
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Colchester, VT
Afternoon
in Colchester on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 2 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Townshend, VT
Afternoon
in Townshend on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Patchy Fog
NW 1 mph8% chanceLive forecast
71°F
Sharon, VT
74 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
4 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 15m 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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 86.4
Park Closure: Temporary Trail Closures on May 13 for Native Grasslands Restoration
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 86% of the driving occurring on major interstates like I 89 and I 91. You'll experience a longest stretch of 77.4 miles on I 89 before transitioning to Route 35. Expect a rural cruising feel for a significant portion of the trip, especially as you move away from the interstates. The change from highway to surface roads will be noticeable around the point where I 91 ends.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.4 mi on I 89.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and I 91. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near VT 289 / Vermont Route 289.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 147.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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 90.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,502 ft271 ft
Total Climb
1,753 ft
Total Descent
1,448 ft
Highest Point
1,502 ft
~52.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,232 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 Townshend, VT, road signs point toward White River and Bellows Falls.
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 3h 15m. Total distance: 147.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.4 miles on I 89. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Townshend, 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 7 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 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 90.7 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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Townshend, VT, but most travelers stay overnight.
