Essex Junction to North Bennington is 123.9 miles and takes about 3h 14m via North Main Street and Vermont Route 116, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Vermont, connecting two points in the Northeast region. With only 14% of the route on highways, expect a more scenic and potentially slower pace as you navigate surface roads for most of the trip. It's a manageable distance for a single day, allowing for a relaxed departure or a leisurely arrival.
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
62 miles from Essex Junction, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Main Street
52.8 mi
1h 19m
Vermont Route 116
14.2 mi
21m
Franklin Street
14.1 mi
23m
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
Longest stretch:
North Main Street
— 52.8 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex Junction, VT and North Bennington, 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
53 mi·1 hr 19 min·North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward VT 7A
24
Keep slight right at fork
482 ft·13 sec
Toward VT 7A NorthUse the right lane.
25
Turn straight onto VT 7A
0.4 mi·46 sec·Harwood Hill Road
26
Turn left onto Overlea Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Overlea Road
27
Continue on Mechanic Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Mechanic Street
28
At end of road, turn right onto Prospect Street
429 ft·15 sec·Prospect Street
29
Turn right onto Sage Street
179 ft·6 sec·Sage Street
30
Turn right onto VT 67A
444 ft·20 sec·Main Street
31
Turn left onto VT 67
20 ft·0 sec·Bank Street
32
Arrive at destination
VT 67
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3h 14m duration, you can comfortably start this trip anytime in the morning and still arrive well before evening. The route includes only one recommended stop, so you have flexibility to add more if desired or to push through if you prefer. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since the longest stretch is over 50 miles, and plan your fill-up accordingly, estimating around $20 for fuel. Driving mostly surface roads means you'll encounter varied speed limits and potentially more local traffic, so staying aware of your surroundings is key.
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 62 miles from Essex Junction, VT, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.8 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 27 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62 miles or 1h 37m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Bennington, 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 123.9 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 North Main Street for about 52.8 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
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 123.9 — 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.
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
7
121.6 mi into trip|~3h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward VT 7A North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward VT 7A North
5
123.7 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|Prospect Street
At end of road, turn right onto Prospect Street
Navigation decision point
5
123.9 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|VT 67 / Bank Street
Turn left onto VT 67 / Bank Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.95 one way
$39.89 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$21.95
$43.89
premium
$4.86
$23.73
$47.45
diesel
$5.61
$27.36
$54.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.2
0
$13.01
$5.95
Efficient EV
31
0
$10.84
$4.96
EV Truck/SUV
49.6
0
$17.35
$7.93
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Morning
in Essex Junction on Sunday
Local time
8:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North Bennington, VT
Morning
in North Bennington on Sunday
Local time
8:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
36°F
Brandon, VT
62 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
26 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 14m 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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 72.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily on surface roads, making up 86% of the 123.9 miles. You'll spend most of your time on local routes like North Main Street and Vermont Route 116, with only a short 14% on highways. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 52.8 miles on North Main Street. Expect a rural cruising feel for a substantial portion of the drive, with less frequent exits and a steadier pace.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.8 mi on North Main Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.6 miles in near VT 116 / Vermont Route 116.
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 123.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 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 121.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 123.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (14%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.8 miles on North Main Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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.
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 41.7 miles (US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South): Navigation decision point; at 121.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 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 North Bennington, VT, but most travelers stay overnight.
