Connecting Hartland to Shelburne, this 104.1-mile journey across Vermont typically takes about 2 hours and 6 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and manageable in a single session, it works perfectly as a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can anticipate a fuel budget of approximately $17 for the drive, making it a budget-friendly way to cross the state. Since both towns are located in the Northeast, the trip provides a consistent regional feel as you transition between these Vermont locales. It is a highly practical connection for those looking to move efficiently between the two points without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52 miles from Hartland, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 89
86.9 mi
1h 40m
I 91
9.2 mi
10m
Shelburne Road
4.8 mi
9m
I 189
1.4 mi
2m
U.S. Route 5
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 86.9 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hartland, VT and Shelburne, 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
87 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 89
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 189 West: Shelburne, RutlandUse the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 189
1.4 mi·2 min·I 189
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Turn left onto US 7
4.8 mi·9 min·Shelburne Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Arrive at destination
US 7
Trip Plan
Given the drive's two-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. Because the route is almost entirely interstate-based, keep a close watch on your speed and traffic flow, especially when merging onto I-89. With no required stops programmed into the data, you are free to power through the 104.1 miles in one go, but keeping your fuel tank in mind before hitting the highway is a smart move. Since you will be spending the vast majority of your time on the interstate, ensure your vehicle is highway-ready before leaving Hartland. Having a clear plan for your arrival in Shelburne will help you make the most of your day once you pull off the main road.
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 52 miles from Hartland, VT, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.9 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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52 miles or 1h 1m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shelburne, 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.
+
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 Hartland, VT
This is one driving day of about 104.1 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 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 86.9 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 99.3 — 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
7
97.6 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 189 West: Shelburne, Rutland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 189 West: Shelburne, Rutland
6
99.3 mi into trip|~1h 56m in|US 7 / Shelburne Road
Turn left onto US 7 / Shelburne Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.76 one way
$33.52 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$18.44
$36.88
premium
$4.86
$19.93
$39.87
diesel
$5.61
$22.98
$45.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.2
0
$10.93
$5.00
Efficient EV
26
0
$9.11
$4.16
EV Truck/SUV
41.6
0
$14.57
$6.66
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 20, 2026
Origin
Hartland, VT
Morning
in Hartland on Tuesday
Local time
6:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Shelburne, VT
Morning
in Shelburne on Tuesday
Local time
6:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
2h 6m 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 14.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive that relies heavily on major thoroughfares, with 95% of your time spent on interstates like I-89 and I-91. You will find yourself settling into a rhythm during the longest uninterrupted stretch, which spans 86.9 miles on I-89. The personality of this trip is defined by its efficiency rather than technical curves or winding backroads. Once you exit the interstate, you will transition onto Shelburne Road for the final leg of your journey. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience that prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal navigation stress.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.9 mi on I 89.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and I 91. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 6m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
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 Hartland, VT to Shelburne, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Rutland along the way.
The longest stretch is about 86.9 miles on I 89. 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 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 Shelburne, VT before heading back.
