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Trip from Franklin, VT to Springfield, VT

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 23m

Distance

164.2 mi

264 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 11m ★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

town in Vermont

Franklin, VT

Wikimedia Commons

town in Vermont, United States

Springfield, VT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Franklin, VT to Springfield, VT is 164.2 miles and takes about 3h 23m 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, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given that 91% of this drive is on the highway, expect a straightforward and efficient trip. It’s a good option if you're looking for a single-day excursion with minimal time spent on slower, local roads.

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

82.1 miles from Franklin, VT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 89 112.8 mi 2h 11m
I 91 27.8 mi 32m
Vermont Route 105 6.7 mi 9m
Sheldon Road 4.4 mi 6m
North Sheldon Road 2.6 mi 4m
Charlestown Road 2 mi 3m
Fisher Pond Road 1.8 mi 3m
Vermont Route 120 1.7 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 89 — 112.8 mi, about 2h 11m

Traffic on I-89

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 41 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,356 veh/hr typical · worst 1,605

Quietest

2 AM

~54 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

25.1×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Franklin, VT and Springfield, VT.

1

Start on this road

56 ft · 9 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Hanna Road

171 ft · 6 sec · Hanna Road
3

Turn right onto VT 120

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
4

Continue on VT 120

2.6 mi · 4 min · North Sheldon Road
5

Continue on VT 120

1.7 mi · 3 min · Vermont Route 120
6

Turn right onto VT 105

6.7 mi · 9 min · Vermont Route 105
7

Continue on VT 105

4.4 mi · 6 min · Sheldon Road
8

Continue on VT 104

1.8 mi · 3 min · Fisher Pond Road
9

Continue on VT 104

0.6 mi · 1 min · Fairfax Road
10

Take the ramp

266 ft · 15 sec
Toward I 89 Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 89 South: Burlington Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 89

113 mi · 2 hr 11 min · I 89
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 91: Brattleboro, White River
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 91 South: Brattleboro
15

Merge onto I 91

28 mi · 32 min · I 91
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 7 Toward US 5, VT 11, VT 106: Springfield
17

Turn straight onto US 5; VT 11

2.0 mi · 3 min · Charlestown Road
18

Continue on VT 11

1.3 mi · 2 min · Clinton Street
19

Continue on VT 11

0.3 mi · 50 sec · Main Street
20

Arrive at destination

VT 11

Trip Plan

For this 3h 23m drive, leaving Franklin, VT in the morning will give you ample time to reach Springfield, VT. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $26, this trip is easy to manage. The longest stretch is 112.8 miles on I 89, so be sure to top off your fuel tank before starting that segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but an early start ensures a relaxed pace.

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 82.1 miles from Franklin, VT, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.8 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 36 miles or 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 82.1 miles or 1h 44m 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 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, VT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Franklin, 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 Franklin, VT

This is one driving day of about 164.2 miles and 3h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Franklin, 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 112.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Chittenden County, Vermont, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bolton, VT

82 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Cumberland Head, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bolton, VT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.1 miles from Franklin, VT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 89 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Zaytoona Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

South Burlington, Vermont

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 58min in 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18028001008

Visit website

Wayside Restaurant, Bakery & Creamery

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Montpelier, Vermont

1.8 mi

Simon Pearce

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Quechee, Vermont

2.2 mi

Zaytoona Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

South Burlington, Vermont

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18028001008

Visit website

Wayside Restaurant, Bakery & Creamery

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Montpelier, Vermont

Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm

+18022236611

Visit website

Simon Pearce

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Expensive

Quechee, Vermont

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18022951470

Visit website

Bliss Bee

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Williston, Vermont

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+18025400094

Visit website

99 Restaurants

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Williston, Vermont

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18028799901

Visit website

Saap

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Randolph, Vermont

Hours: 12–2 pm

+18025658292

Visit website

Taj-E-India

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

White River Junction, Vermont

Hours: 11:30 am–7:30 pm

+18026988849

Visit website

K&P Restaurant and Bar & Catering Services

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

South Royalton, Vermont

Hours: 11:30 am–8:30 pm

+19298992253

Visit website

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area I-91 (South Bound)

0 mi from route

Rest Area I-89 (South Bound)

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Vermont Welcome Center - Sharon

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area I-89 (North Bound)

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Rest Area

0.5 mi from route

Rest Area

0.6 mi from route

Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Cornish, New Hampshire

Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

+16036752175

Visit website

World's Tallest Filing Cabinet

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Burlington, Vermont

Hours: Open 24 hours

American Precision Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Windsor, Vermont

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18026745781

Visit website

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 18.8 and 160.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
18.8 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the ramp toward I 89

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 89
7
18.9 mi into trip | ~30m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 89 South: Burlington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 89 South: Burlington
5
132.1 mi into trip | ~2h 42m 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
132.4 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 91 South: Brattleboro

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 91 South: Brattleboro
6
160.3 mi into trip | ~3h 15m in

Take the exit toward US 5, VT 11, VT 106: Springfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 7 Toward US 5, VT 11, VT 106: Springfield

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.77 one way

$51.54 round trip

$3.99/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $28.94 $57.87
premium $4.81 $31.11 $62.21
diesel $4.80 $31.00 $62.01

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: 57.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.3 0 $17.24 $7.88
Efficient EV 41.1 0 $14.37 $6.57
EV Truck/SUV 65.7 0 $22.99 $10.51

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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 Jul 13, 2026

Origin

Franklin, VT

Night in Franklin on Saturday

Local time

9:29 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Partly Cloudy

S 3 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Destination

Springfield, VT

Night in Springfield on Saturday

Local time

9:29 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Partly Cloudy

SW 1 mph 1% chance Live forecast

55°F

Bolton, VT

82 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

3h 23m 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

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...

8 mi from route ~21 min detour Free near mile 124.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is primarily highway driving, with 91% of the 164.2 miles on interstates like I 89 and I 91. You'll experience a long stretch of 112.8 miles on I 89 before transitioning to Vermont Route 105. Expect to encounter a steady flow of traffic and numerous exits along the interstate sections.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.8 mi on I 89.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and I 91. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 18.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 164.2 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 18.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,542 ft 190 ft

Total Climb

1,725 ft

Total Descent

1,760 ft

Highest Point

1,542 ft

~93.8 mi in

Elevation Range

1,352 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Franklin, VT to Springfield, VT, road signs begin pointing toward White River along the way.

White River

132.1 mi in | ~2h 42m

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Red Hen Cafe

Cafe

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour
Visit website

Boston Dreams Coffehouse

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Skinny Pancake

Cafe

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Cuisine: burger;coffee_shop;crepe

KC's Bagel Cafe

Cafe

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Copper Fox

Restaurant

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0 mi from route

Springfield, VT

Visit website

Springfield Village Pizza

Restaurant

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0 mi from route

Springfield, VT

Cuisine: pizza

Sheri's Place

Restaurant

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0 mi from route

Springfield, VT

Hours: Mo,Sa,Su off; Tu-Th,Fr 17:00-20:00

Domino's

Fast_food

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Springfield, VT

Cuisine: pizza

Hours: Mo-Th 10:30-24:00; Fr-Sa 10:30-01:00; Su...

Visit website

Bent Nails Roadhouse

Restaurant

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Middlesex, VT

Cuisine: american;burger;sandwich;breakfast

Hours: We-Th 12:00-19:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-20:00; Su...

Visit website

Windsor Pizza Chef

Restaurant

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Windsor, VT

Cuisine: italian;pizza

Hours: 11:00-21:00

Aldis Hill Park

Park

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Accès rivière

Picnic_site

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Mt Ascutney State Park Campground

Camp_site

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Windsor, VT

Visit website

Bethel Village Historic District

Park

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Mt. Ascutney State Park

Park

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Blood Rock

Viewpoint

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Smith's clothespin

Artwork

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Saint Albans Historical Museum

Museum

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

VT

Visit website

Saint Albans Historic District

District

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Windsor Village Historic District

District

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Bethel Village Historic District

Heritage

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Monument 618A

Boundary_stone

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Mt Ascutney State Park Campground

Camp_site

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Windsor, VT

Visit website

Catamount Bed & Breakfast

Guest_house

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

The Old Stagecoach Inn

Motel

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Waterbury

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in Franklin, VT

Full guide →

Arriving in Springfield, VT

Full guide →

Founded 1761

Springfield is a town of 9,400 people (2010) in southeastern Vermont along the Black River. In 2007, the city was selected to host the premiere of The Simpsons Movie after winning a contest to find the Springfield that most closely resembled the town featured in the movie and TV show.

Top landmarks

  • Stellafane Observatory — observatory in Vermont, USA
  • Parker Hill Rural Historic District — historic district in Springfield, Vermont
  • Southview Housing Historic District — historic district in Springfield, Vermont

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 164.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 112.8 miles on I 89. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 11 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 18.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.1 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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, VT, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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