Spanning 80.6 miles through the heart of Vermont, this trip from Milton to Chittenden is an ideal one-day excursion. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 10 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable drive that doesn't require an overnight stay. With fuel costs estimated at just $13, it is an economical way to traverse the Northeast region. The journey utilizes a combination of I-89, US 7, and the Ethan Allen Highway to connect these two points. Whether you are heading out for a quick change of scenery or a specific destination, this route offers a straightforward path between the two towns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.3 miles from Milton, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 7
26.8 mi
45m
Ethan Allen Highway
22.5 mi
32m
I 89
10.4 mi
12m
Shelburne Road
6.8 mi
13m
U.S. Route 7 South
4.3 mi
7m
U.S. Route 7
3.1 mi
4m
Sangamon Road
2.2 mi
4m
I 189
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 7
— 26.8 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milton, VT and Chittenden, VT.
1
Start on Main Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Main Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 7
1.1 mi·2 min·River Street
3
Continue on River Street
246 ft·7 sec·River Street
4
Turn right onto Railroad Street
323 ft·9 sec·Railroad Street
5
Turn straight onto US 7
4.3 mi·7 min·U.S. Route 7 South
6
Turn right onto US 2
0.2 mi·23 sec·U.S. Route 2
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
8
Merge onto I 89
10 mi·12 min·I 89
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 189 West: Shelburne, Rutland
10
Merge onto I 189
1.2 mi·1 min·I 189
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Turn left onto US 7
6.8 mi·13 min·Shelburne Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on US 7
12 mi·19 min·Ethan Allen Highway
13
Continue on US 7
3.1 mi·4 min·U.S. Route 7
14
Continue on US 7
10 mi·13 min·Ethan Allen Highway
15
Enter roundabout onto US 7
348 ft·16 sec·US 7
Toward VT 125
16
Continue on US 7
27 mi·44 min·US 7
Toward VT 125
17
Turn left onto Sangamon Road
2.2 mi·4 min·Sangamon Road
18
At end of road, turn left onto Chittenden Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·Chittenden Road
19
Continue on East Pittsford - Chittenden Road
1.0 mi·2 min·East Pittsford - Chittenden Road
20
Turn slight left onto Mountain Top Road
197 ft·8 sec·Mountain Top Road
21
Turn left onto Holden Road
158 ft·8 sec·Holden Road
22
Turn right
19 ft·1 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best without worrying about a grueling multi-day itinerary. Since there are no designated stops on this 80.6-mile route, consider fueling up in Milton before you head out to ensure you have a full tank for the duration of the trip. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning between I-89 and US 7 to avoid missing your turnoffs. Since the route is efficient, you can easily dedicate your entire day to your destination in Chittenden rather than spending your energy on the road. Enjoy the simplicity of this compact Vermont commute.
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 40.3 miles from Milton, VT, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.8 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 18 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.3 miles or 1h 4m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chittenden, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Milton, 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 Milton, VT
This is one driving day of about 80.6 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Milton, VT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 7 for about 26.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 50.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 7 / River Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 7 / River Street
Navigation decision point
5
16.5 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward I 189 West: Shelburne, Rutland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 189 West: Shelburne, Rutland
5
16.7 mi into trip|~25m in|I 189
Merge onto I 189
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
17.9 mi into trip|~27m in|US 7 / Shelburne Road
Turn left onto US 7 / Shelburne Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|US 7
Enter roundabout onto US 7 toward VT 125
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward VT 125
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.98 one way
$25.95 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$14.28
$28.55
premium
$4.86
$15.43
$30.87
diesel
$5.61
$17.80
$35.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.46
$3.87
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.05
$3.22
EV Truck/SUV
32.2
0
$11.28
$5.16
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 15, 2026
Origin
Milton, VT
Late night
in Milton on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chittenden, VT
Late night
in Chittenden on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°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
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
2h 10m 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 80.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed-road experience, balancing efficiency with local travel. Roughly 57% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a blend of quick transit and slower, more deliberate segments. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 26.8 miles while traveling along US 7, which helps maintain steady progress. As you transition between the interstate and the Ethan Allen Highway, the rhythm of the road shifts, requiring you to adapt to changing speed limits and traffic patterns. It is a practical drive that keeps you moving while offering enough variety to keep the journey from feeling monotonous.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.8 mi on US 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 7 / River Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 10m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 7 / River Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.7 miles (I 189): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,140 ft174 ft
Total Climb
1,143 ft
Total Descent
303 ft
Highest Point
1,140 ft
~80.6 mi in
Elevation Range
966 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 Milton, VT to Chittenden, VT, road signs begin pointing toward Rutland along the way.
Rutland
16.5 mi in|~25m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 80.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.8 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 0.1 miles (US 7 / River Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.7 miles (I 189): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Chittenden, VT before heading back.
