If you are planning a transit across Vermont, the 97.7-mile trek from Hartland to Essex Junction is a straightforward affair that typically takes about 1 hour and 56 minutes. Because this route is entirely contained within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent atmosphere throughout the journey. Budgeting around $16 for fuel is a safe bet for this drive, which is easily managed as a single-day excursion. Since there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to power through or take your time depending on your schedule. It is a highly efficient way to move between these two points without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.9 miles from Hartland, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 89
83.1 mi
1h 35m
I 91
9.2 mi
10m
Essex Road
2.2 mi
3m
U.S. Route 5
1.1 mi
1m
Saint George Road
0.7 mi
1m
Park Street
0.7 mi
2m
Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hartland, VT and Essex Junction, VT.
1
Start on US 5; VT 12
1.1 mi·1 min·U.S. Route 5
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 91 North
3
Merge onto I 91
9.2 mi·10 min·I 91
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 89 North
5
Merge onto I 89
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·I 89
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 12Toward VT 2A: Williston, Essex Junction
7
Turn right onto VT 2A
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint George Road
8
Continue on VT 2A
2.2 mi·3 min·Essex Road
9
Continue on VT 2A
0.7 mi·2 min·Park Street
10
Turn slight right onto VT 15
79 ft·2 sec·Main Street
11
Arrive at destination
VT 15
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of under two hours, you have the freedom to depart whenever suits your itinerary best. You should keep in mind that the lack of scheduled stops means you are entirely in control of your own pacing; feel free to pull off as needed for fuel or a quick stretch. Given that nearly the entire route relies on major interstates, keep a close watch on traffic flow, especially if you are traveling during peak commuting hours. Because the longest stretch is over 83 miles, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you merge onto I-89 to avoid any mid-trip stress. Taking advantage of this flexibility is the best way to ensure a smooth arrival in Essex Junction.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.9 miles from Hartland, VT, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.9 miles or 57m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Essex Junction, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hartland, VT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hartland, VT
This is one driving day of about 97.7 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Hartland, VT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 89 for about 83.1 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 94.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.1 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 91 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 91 North
3
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in|I 91
Merge onto I 91
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
10.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 89 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 89 North
6
93.8 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward VT 2A: Williston, Essex Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward VT 2A: Williston, Essex Junction
4
94.1 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|VT 2A / Saint George Road
Turn right onto VT 2A / Saint George Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.73 one way
$31.46 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$17.31
$34.61
premium
$4.86
$18.71
$37.42
diesel
$5.61
$21.57
$43.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.3
0
$10.26
$4.69
Efficient EV
24.4
0
$8.55
$3.91
EV Truck/SUV
39.1
0
$13.68
$6.25
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 19, 2026
Origin
Hartland, VT
Late night
in Hartland on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Essex Junction, VT
Late night
in Essex Junction on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
35°F
Northfield, VT
49 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
22 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
1h 56m 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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 16.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 96% of this trip is spent on high-speed roads. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-89 and I-91, with a notable 83.1-mile stretch on I-89 serving as the backbone of your journey. The transition from the interstate onto Essex Road marks the final leg of the drive, shifting the pace as you reach your destination. Because this route prioritizes speed over local navigation, it functions primarily as a functional commute rather than a leisurely scenic tour. You will find that the consistency of the highway makes for a predictable and steady experience behind the wheel.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.1 mi on I 89.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and I 91. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Hartland, VT to Essex Junction, VT is easy. At 1h 56m with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (I 91): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 97.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 83.1 miles on I 89. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 1.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (I 91): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 Essex Junction, VT before heading back.
