Origin
Essex Junction, VT
Morning in Essex Junction on Sunday
Local time
9:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
67.9 mi
109 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Essex Junction, VT
Wikimedia Commons
Chittenden, VT
Andrea Davis
Essex Junction, VT to Chittenden, VT is 67.9 miles and takes about 1h 49m via Vermont Route 116 and Ethan Allen Highway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Vermont, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a turn-heavy local road experience for most of this journey. With a relatively short duration and manageable distance, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, offering a straightforward way to travel between these two Vermont locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.9 miles from Essex Junction, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Route 116 | 14.2 mi | 21m |
| Ethan Allen Highway | 10.9 mi | 16m |
| Franklin Street | 10.2 mi | 17m |
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Essex Junction, VT and Chittenden, VT.
Start on VT 15
Turn left onto VT 2A
Continue on VT 2A
Continue on VT 2A
Continue on VT 2A
At end of road, turn left onto VT 116
Continue on VT 116
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
Turn left onto VT 116
Continue on VT 116
Continue on VT 116
Turn right onto VT 116
At end of road, turn left onto US 7
Continue on US 7
Continue on US 7; VT 73
Continue on US 7; VT 73
Continue on US 7
Turn left onto Sangamon Road
At end of road, turn left onto Chittenden Road
Continue on East Pittsford - Chittenden Road
Turn slight left onto Mountain Top Road
Turn left onto Holden Road
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Given the 1 hour and 49-minute drive time, you can comfortably start your trip anytime in the morning or early afternoon and still arrive with plenty of daylight. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when you're ready. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $11, and while there are no designated stops, it's wise to plan for a quick break if needed. A practical tip for this route: be prepared for the numerous turns, especially on Vermont Route 116, and adjust your speed accordingly.
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.
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 15 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.9 miles or 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 1h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chittenden, VT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Essex Junction, VT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Essex Junction, VT
This is one driving day of about 67.9 miles and 1h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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.
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 33.9 miles from Essex Junction, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 67.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto VT 116 / Vermont Route 116
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Sangamon Road
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto Chittenden Road
Navigation decision point
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$10.93 one way
$21.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $12.03 | $24.05 |
| premium | $4.86 | $13.00 | $26.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.99 | $29.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.13 | $3.26 |
| Efficient EV | 17 | 0 | $5.94 | $2.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.51 | $4.35 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Essex Junction on Sunday
Local time
9:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Chittenden on Sunday
Local time
9:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
39°F
Bristol, VT
34 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is characterized by its frequent turns, making it a more engaging local drive rather than a high-speed transit. With only 26% of the drive on highways, you'll spend most of your time navigating smaller roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14.2 miles along Vermont Route 116. As you progress, the road's personality shifts, offering a dynamic driving experience that keeps you attentive, unlike a monotonous interstate cruise.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 8.6 miles in near VT 116 / Vermont Route 116.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Essex Junction, VT to Chittenden, VT is easy. At 1h 49m with 26% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.6 miles (VT 116 / Vermont Route 116): Lane positioning matters here; at 41.7 miles (US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South): Navigation decision point; at 64.4 miles (Sangamon Road): Navigation decision point.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 67.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (26%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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.
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