Traveling from Manchester to Burlington covers 99.8 miles of Vermont's classic landscape. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 44 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect one-day excursion. Budget roughly $16 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographic feel throughout the journey. Because the total duration is under three hours, there is no need to split this into an overnight stay. This route is an ideal way to connect two of Vermont's most notable hubs without the hassle of a long-haul commute.
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
49.9 miles from Manchester, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Route 7
28.9 mi
45m
U.S. Route 7 North
14.1 mi
23m
Ethan Allen Highway
12.3 mi
19m
Grove Street
10.9 mi
16m
North Pleasant Street
10.2 mi
13m
Shelburne Road
6.8 mi
13m
Main Street
4.5 mi
9m
U.S. Route 7 South
4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
U.S. Route 7
— 28.9 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manchester, VT and Burlington, VT.
1
Start on Seminary Avenue
90 ft·7 sec·Seminary Avenue
2
Turn slight left onto VT 7A
0.8 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto VT 7A
93 ft·2 sec·Main Street
4
Continue on VT 7A
0.3 mi·47 sec·Main Street
5
Enter roundabout onto VT 7A; VT 30
91 ft·1 sec·Main Street
6
Continue on VT 7A; VT 30
186 ft·4 sec·Main Street
7
Enter roundabout onto VT 7A
17 ft·0 sec·Main Street
8
Continue on VT 7A
3.2 mi·6 min·Main Street
9
Continue on VT 7A
1.6 mi·2 min·Vermont Route 7A
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 7
26 mi·41 min·U.S. Route 7
11
Continue on US 4; US 7
2.8 mi·5 min·South Main Street
12
Continue on US 7
14 mi·23 min·U.S. Route 7 North
13
Continue on US 7; VT 73
0.2 mi·42 sec·Center Street
14
Continue on US 7; VT 73
0.2 mi·39 sec·Conant Square
15
Continue on US 7
11 mi·16 min·Grove Street
16
Continue on US 7
4.0 mi·5 min·U.S. Route 7 South
17
Continue on US 7; VT 125
1.2 mi·3 min·Court Street
18
Enter roundabout onto US 7
375 ft·14 sec·North Pleasant Street
19
Continue on US 7
10 mi·13 min·North Pleasant Street
20
Continue on US 7
3.1 mi·4 min·U.S. Route 7
21
Continue on US 7
12 mi·19 min·Ethan Allen Highway
22
Continue on US 7
6.8 mi·13 min·Shelburne Road
23
Continue on US 7
1.0 mi·2 min·Shelburne Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Enter roundabout onto US 7
139 ft·2 sec·Shelburne Street
25
Continue on US 7
0.1 mi·11 sec·Shelburne Street
26
Continue on US 7 Alternate
0.8 mi·2 min·Saint Paul Street
27
Turn right onto Main Street
504 ft·19 sec·Main Street
Use the right lane.
28
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. You only need to build in one stop to keep the journey relaxed and manageable. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as setting aside $16 for gas will ensure you reach your destination without worry. Because U.S. Route 7 serves as your primary artery, try to avoid peak commuting hours if you prefer a quieter road experience. Planning your single stop around the midpoint of the 99.8-mile drive is a great way to break up the 2-hour and 44-minute travel time effectively.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 49.9 miles from Manchester, VT, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.9 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 22 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.9 miles or 1h 24m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Manchester, 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 Manchester, VT
This is one driving day of about 99.8 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Manchester, 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 U.S. Route 7 for about 28.9 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 99.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|VT 7A / Main Street
Enter roundabout onto VT 7A / Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
1.2 mi into trip|~3m in|VT 7A; VT 30 / Main Street
Enter roundabout onto VT 7A; VT 30 / Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
1.2 mi into trip|~3m in|VT 7A / Main Street
Enter roundabout onto VT 7A / Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
6 mi into trip|~12m in|US 7 / U.S. Route 7
At end of road, turn left onto US 7 / U.S. Route 7
Navigation decision point
6
99.7 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.07 one way
$32.13 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$17.68
$35.35
premium
$4.86
$19.11
$38.22
diesel
$5.61
$22.03
$44.07
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: 34.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.9
0
$10.48
$4.79
Efficient EV
25
0
$8.73
$3.99
EV Truck/SUV
39.9
0
$13.97
$6.39
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Manchester, VT
Late night
in Manchester on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Burlington, VT
Late night
in Burlington on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
36°F
Brandon, VT
50 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
1 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
2h 44m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate primarily along U.S. Route 7 and the Ethan Allen Highway. With 49% of the route consisting of highway driving, you will alternate between faster stretches and slower local segments. The longest uninterrupted portion of the trip spans 28.9 miles, allowing you to settle into a rhythm before conditions shift. The road’s personality is defined by this blend of highway efficiency and the more moderate pace of regional travel. You will find that the drive changes character as you progress north, requiring you to stay attentive to varying speed limits and road types.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.9 mi on U.S. Route 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near VT 7A / Main Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Manchester, VT to Burlington, VT is easy. At 2h 44m with 49% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (VT 7A / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.2 miles (VT 7A; VT 30 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.2 miles (VT 7A / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 99.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.9 miles on U.S. Route 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 0.8 miles (VT 7A / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.2 miles (VT 7A; VT 30 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.2 miles (VT 7A / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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 Burlington, VT before heading back.
