Spanning 94.3 miles, this trek from Ludlow to Essex Junction is a straightforward journey through the heart of Vermont. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 29 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel budget of $15, the route is both efficient and budget-friendly. You will primarily navigate via Vermont Route 103 North, US 7, and Vermont Route 116. Because the drive is relatively short, there is no need to split it into an overnight stay, allowing you the flexibility to complete the transit in one go.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.1 miles from Ludlow, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 7
33 mi
53m
Vermont Route 103 North
18.7 mi
28m
Vermont Route 116
14.2 mi
21m
Case Street
6 mi
8m
South 116 Road
5.5 mi
8m
North 116 Road
4.1 mi
6m
Saint George Road
3.7 mi
5m
Essex Road
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 7
— 33 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ludlow, VT and Essex Junction, VT.
1
Start on VT 103
0.2 mi·38 sec·Main Street
2
Continue on VT 103; VT 100
0.6 mi·1 min·Pond Street
3
Continue on VT 103; VT 100
19 mi·28 min·Vermont Route 103 North
4
Turn right onto US 7
33 mi·53 min·US 7
5
Turn right onto VT 116
0.5 mi·45 sec·Ossie Road
6
Turn left onto VT 116
364 ft·6 sec·Church Street
7
Continue on VT 116
6.0 mi·8 min·Case Street
8
Continue on VT 116
5.5 mi·8 min·South 116 Road
9
Turn right onto VT 17; VT 116
0.5 mi·48 sec·Stony Hill Road
10
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.6 mi·55 sec·West Street
11
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.2 mi·22 sec·Main Street
12
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.5 mi·1 min·East Street
13
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.9 mi·1 min·Rockydale Road
14
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
4.1 mi·6 min·North 116 Road
15
Continue on VT 116
9.0 mi·13 min·Vermont Route 116
16
Continue on VT 116
5.3 mi·7 min·Vermont Route 116
17
Turn right onto VT 2A
2.0 mi·2 min·Vermont Route 2A
18
Continue on VT 2A
3.7 mi·5 min·Saint George Road
19
Continue on VT 2A
2.2 mi·3 min·Essex Road
20
Continue on VT 2A
0.7 mi·2 min·Park Street
21
Turn slight right onto VT 15
79 ft·2 sec·Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
VT 15
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes under two and a half hours, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that best suits your schedule without worrying about mid-trip lodging. Keep in mind that while there are no mandatory stops listed, building in a brief break during your 33-mile stretch on US 7 can help you stay refreshed. Monitor your fuel levels before leaving Ludlow, as your $15 estimate is based on standard consumption for the 94.3-mile distance. Because this is a direct route, try to avoid peak traffic hours in the busier sections to maintain your estimated arrival time. Being prepared for these transitions between state routes will ensure a smooth and predictable travel experience.
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 47.1 miles from Ludlow, VT, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.1 miles or 1h 16m 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 3m
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 Ludlow, 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 Ludlow, VT
This is one driving day of about 94.3 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Ludlow, VT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 7 for about 33 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
3 of 3
3 decision points cluster between mile 52.6 and 85.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
52.6 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|VT 116 / Ossie Road
Turn right onto VT 116 / Ossie Road
Navigation decision point
3
64.6 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|VT 17; VT 116 / Stony Hill Road
Turn right onto VT 17; VT 116 / Stony Hill Road
Navigation decision point
3
85.7 mi into trip|~2h 15m in|VT 2A / Vermont Route 2A
Turn right onto VT 2A / Vermont Route 2A
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
Ludlow, VT
Late night
in Ludlow on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°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
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 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 29m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 3.3
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 highway-focused profile, with approximately 72% of the journey spent on faster, more direct roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 33 miles along US 7. While the road is designed for efficiency, the transition between Route 103, US 7, and Route 116 keeps the experience from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Expect a mix of driving conditions that prioritize steady progress while connecting you through the Northeast region. It is a practical drive that balances speed with the varied character of Vermont’s state road network.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33 mi on US 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 7 and Vermont Route 103 North. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 52.6 miles in near VT 116 / Ossie Road.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Ludlow, VT to Essex Junction, VT is easy. At 2h 29m with 72% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 52.6 miles (VT 116 / Ossie Road): Navigation decision point; at 64.6 miles (VT 17; VT 116 / Stony Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 85.7 miles (VT 2A / Vermont Route 2A): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 94.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 33 miles on US 7. 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 52.6 miles (VT 116 / Ossie Road): Navigation decision point; at 64.6 miles (VT 17; VT 116 / Stony Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 85.7 miles (VT 2A / Vermont Route 2A): 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 Essex Junction, VT before heading back.
