Traveling from Essex Junction to Ludlow covers 94.3 miles, making for a manageable 2-hour and 30-minute journey through the heart of Vermont. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, as the duration is well-suited for a straightforward excursion. Budget approximately $15 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Northeast locations. Navigating this route involves a combination of local streets like Franklin Street, Vermont Route 116, and Vermont Route 103. Whether you are heading south for a weekend getaway or a quick business trip, this drive offers a practical way to traverse the state without requiring an overnight split.
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
47.1 miles from Essex Junction, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vermont Route 103
18.8 mi
28m
Vermont Route 116
14.2 mi
21m
Franklin Street
14.1 mi
23m
Ethan Allen Highway
10.9 mi
16m
North Main Street
6.3 mi
10m
Case Street
6.1 mi
8m
South 116 Road
5.5 mi
8m
North 116 Road
4.1 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Vermont Route 103
— 18.8 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex Junction, VT and Ludlow, VT.
1
Start on VT 15
79 ft·5 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto VT 2A
0.7 mi·2 min·Park Street
3
Continue on VT 2A
2.2 mi·3 min·Essex Road
4
Continue on VT 2A
3.7 mi·5 min·Saint George Road
5
Continue on VT 2A
2.0 mi·2 min·Vermont Route 2A
6
At end of road, turn left onto VT 116
14 mi·21 min·Vermont Route 116
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on VT 116
4.1 mi·6 min·North 116 Road
8
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.9 mi·1 min·Rockydale Road
9
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.5 mi·1 min·East Street
10
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.2 mi·25 sec·Main Street
11
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.6 mi·53 sec·West Street
12
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.5 mi·56 sec·Stony Hill Road
13
Turn left onto VT 116
2.1 mi·3 min·South 116 Road
14
Continue on VT 116
3.4 mi·5 min·South 116 Road
15
Continue on VT 116
6.1 mi·8 min·Case Street
16
Turn right onto VT 116
0.5 mi·51 sec·Ossie Road
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 7
1.1 mi·1 min·U.S. Route 7 South
18
Continue on US 7
11 mi·16 min·Ethan Allen Highway
19
Continue on US 7; VT 73
0.2 mi·39 sec·Conant Square
20
Continue on US 7; VT 73
0.2 mi·44 sec·Center Street
21
Continue on US 7
14 mi·23 min·Franklin Street
22
Continue on US 7
6.3 mi·10 min·North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto VT 103
19 mi·28 min·Vermont Route 103
24
Continue on VT 103; VT 100
0.6 mi·1 min·Pond Street
25
Turn slight left onto VT 103; VT 100
0.2 mi·38 sec·Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
VT 103
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple since the 2-hour and 30-minute duration offers plenty of flexibility for a single-day itinerary. Because the route is relatively short, you only need to account for one stop to refuel or stretch your legs comfortably. Keep in mind that with $15 in fuel costs, it is wise to check your levels before leaving to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the mix of local roads and highways, stay alert for changing speed limits as you transition onto Vermont Route 116. Utilize the 18.8-mile stretch on Vermont Route 103 to maintain a steady pace, as this is the longest segment of your drive where you can settle into a consistent driving rhythm.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 47.1 miles from Essex Junction, VT, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.8 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 21 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.1 miles or 1h 13m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ludlow, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Essex Junction, 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 Essex Junction, VT
This is one driving day of about 94.3 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Essex Junction, 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 Vermont Route 103 for about 18.8 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
4 of 4
4 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 74.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.6 mi into trip|~14m 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
29.6 mi into trip|~46m in|VT 116 / South 116 Road
Turn left onto VT 116 / South 116 Road
Navigation decision point
4
41.7 mi into trip|~1h 4m 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
3
74.6 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|VT 103 / Vermont Route 103
Turn left onto VT 103 / Vermont Route 103
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.18 one way
$30.36 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$16.70
$33.41
premium
$4.86
$18.06
$36.12
diesel
$5.61
$20.82
$41.64
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: 33 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.3
0
$9.90
$4.53
Efficient EV
23.6
0
$8.25
$3.77
EV Truck/SUV
37.7
0
$13.20
$6.04
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 15, 2026
Origin
Essex Junction, VT
Late night
in Essex Junction on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ludlow, VT
Late night
in Ludlow on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
37°F
Leicester, VT
47 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
3 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 30m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed-drive profile, keeping the pace varied as you transition between different types of roads. With a highway share of 38 percent, you will experience a blend of faster stretches and more technical local driving. The longest uninterrupted section lasts for 18.8 miles while traveling on Vermont Route 103, providing a consistent rhythm during the middle portion of your journey. You should expect the character of the road to shift as you move away from the Essex Junction area and navigate through the regional landscape toward Ludlow. It is a drive that demands steady attention rather than a monotonous interstate grind.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.8 mi on Vermont Route 103.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
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 around 8.6 miles in near VT 116 / Vermont Route 116.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Essex Junction, VT to Ludlow, VT is easy. At 2h 30m with 38% 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 29.6 miles (VT 116 / South 116 Road): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles (US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 94.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.8 miles on Vermont Route 103. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 8.6 miles (VT 116 / Vermont Route 116): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.6 miles (VT 116 / South 116 Road): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles (US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ludlow, VT before heading back.
