Spanning 102.3 miles, this journey from Williston to Manchester, Vermont, takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget roughly $16 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Northeast destinations. By utilizing a mix of North Main Street, Vermont Route 116, and Franklin Street, you can navigate through the heart of the state efficiently. It is a straightforward trip that balances local road travel with just enough highway time to keep things moving.
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
51.2 miles from Williston, VT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Main Street
28.6 mi
46m
Vermont Route 116
14.2 mi
21m
Franklin Street
14.1 mi
23m
Ethan Allen Highway
10.9 mi
16m
Case Street
6.1 mi
8m
South 116 Road
5.5 mi
8m
Main Street
4.6 mi
9m
North 116 Road
4.1 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
North Main Street
— 28.6 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williston, VT and Manchester, VT.
1
Start on North Williston Road
18 ft·1 sec·North Williston Road
2
Continue on US 2
2.3 mi·4 min·Williston Road
3
Turn sharp left onto VT 2A
3.7 mi·5 min·Saint George Road
4
Continue on VT 2A
2.0 mi·2 min·Vermont Route 2A
5
At end of road, turn left onto VT 116
14 mi·21 min·Vermont Route 116
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on VT 116
4.1 mi·6 min·North 116 Road
7
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.9 mi·1 min·Rockydale Road
8
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.5 mi·1 min·East Street
9
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.2 mi·25 sec·Main Street
10
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.6 mi·53 sec·West Street
11
Continue on VT 17; VT 116
0.5 mi·56 sec·Stony Hill Road
12
Turn left onto VT 116
2.1 mi·3 min·South 116 Road
13
Continue on VT 116
3.4 mi·5 min·South 116 Road
14
Continue on VT 116
6.1 mi·8 min·Case Street
15
Turn right onto VT 116
0.5 mi·51 sec·Ossie Road
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 7
1.1 mi·1 min·U.S. Route 7 South
17
Continue on US 7
11 mi·16 min·Ethan Allen Highway
18
Continue on US 7; VT 73
0.2 mi·39 sec·Conant Square
19
Continue on US 7; VT 73
0.2 mi·44 sec·Center Street
20
Continue on US 7
14 mi·23 min·Franklin Street
21
Continue on US 7
29 mi·46 min·North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto VT 7A
1.6 mi·2 min·Vermont Route 7A
23
Continue on VT 7A
3.2 mi·6 min·Main Street
24
Enter roundabout onto VT 7A; VT 30
65 ft·1 sec·Main Street
25
Continue on VT 7A; VT 30
180 ft·4 sec·Main Street
26
Enter roundabout onto VT 7A
94 ft·1 sec·Main Street
27
Continue on VT 7A
0.3 mi·47 sec·Main Street
28
Enter roundabout onto VT 7A
79 ft·1 sec·Main Street
29
Continue on VT 7A
0.8 mi·2 min·Main Street
30
Turn right onto Seminary Avenue
90 ft·3 sec·Seminary Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
Seminary Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your own schedule. With only one recommended stop along the way, you can easily complete the drive in one go without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, as the winding nature of the local roads can sometimes impact consumption more than highway driving. Given the turn-heavy profile of the route, try to plan your single stop somewhere near the middle of your journey to give yourself a break from the wheel. Staying alert on these secondary roads is the best way to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip to Manchester.
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 51.2 miles from Williston, VT, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.6 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.2 miles or 1h 19m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manchester, VT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Williston, 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 Williston, VT
This is one driving day of about 102.3 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Williston, 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 North Main Street for about 28.6 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 101.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in|VT 2A / Saint George Road
Turn sharp left onto VT 2A / Saint George Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
8 mi into trip|~13m in|VT 116 / Vermont Route 116
At end of road, turn left onto VT 116 / Vermont Route 116
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
41.1 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South
At end of road, turn left onto US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South
Navigation decision point
5
101.1 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|VT 7A / Main Street
Enter roundabout onto VT 7A / Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
101.5 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|VT 7A / Main Street
Enter roundabout onto VT 7A / Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.47 one way
$32.94 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$18.12
$36.24
premium
$4.86
$19.59
$39.18
diesel
$5.61
$22.59
$45.17
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: 35.8 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
30.7
0
$10.74
$4.91
Efficient EV
25.6
0
$8.95
$4.09
EV Truck/SUV
40.9
0
$14.32
$6.55
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 15, 2026
Origin
Williston, VT
Night
in Williston on Saturday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Manchester, VT
Night
in Manchester on Saturday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
36°F
Brandon, VT
51 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
6 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 45m 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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 70.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as only 19% of this route takes place on highways. You will spend much of your time navigating local roads, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being a 28.6-mile segment on North Main Street. The road requires your full attention due to its technical nature and constant shifts in direction. While the highway share is relatively low, the transitions between the various routes keep the experience dynamic. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that favors steady focus over high-speed cruising.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.6 mi on North Main Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near VT 2A / Saint George Road.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Williston, VT to Manchester, VT is easy. At 2h 45m with 19% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (VT 2A / Saint George Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 8 miles (VT 116 / Vermont Route 116): Lane positioning matters here; at 41.1 miles (US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 102.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.6 miles on North Main Street. 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 2.3 miles (VT 2A / Saint George Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 8 miles (VT 116 / Vermont Route 116): Lane positioning matters here; at 41.1 miles (US 7 / U.S. Route 7 South): 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 Manchester, VT before heading back.
