How far is Montpelier, VT from Essex Junction, VT?

Fastest route

The suggested route from Montpelier, Vermont 05602 to Essex Junction, Essex, VT is approximately 39 minutes long, covering a distance of 35.0 miles. The fastest route, considering current traffic conditions, is via I-89 N.

Directions

  1. Start your journey by heading southwest on Main St toward Pitkin Ct.
  2. Turn right onto Memorial Dr and continue straight to stay on Memorial Dr.
  3. Keep right at the fork, following signs for I-89 N/Burlington, and merge onto I-89 N.
  4. Continue on I-89 N until you reach exit 11 for US-2 toward State Route 117/Richmond/Williston.
  5. Take exit 11 and merge onto US-2 W/U.S. Rte 2 W.
  6. Afterward, make a right turn onto Vermont Rte 117 W.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Consider checking for live traffic updates before starting your journey to ensure the suggested route remains the fastest option.
  • ⛽ It's always a good idea to have enough fuel in your vehicle before embarking on a trip.
  • 📱 Use a reliable navigation app or GPS device to help you stay on track during your drive.
  • 🕐 Leave with some extra time in case of unexpected delays or detours.
  • 📝 Write down or save the directions beforehand for easy reference while driving.
  • 🚦 Observe traffic rules and regulations for a safe and enjoyable journey.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
35.09 mi
00h 40m
Flight
30.88 mi
49.69 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Montpelier.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
30.88 mi
Kilometers
49.69 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.09 mi
Kilometers
56.47 km
Drive Time
00h 40m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Essex Junction
Sun, May 31, 4:01 AM EDT
Return by in Montpelier
Sun, May 31, 4:41 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Montpelier
2026-05-31T03:20
Arrive Essex Junction
Sun, May 31, 4:01 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:40 AM to 7:40 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:10 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Montpelier
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Bolton
VT

Town in Chittenden County, Vermont, USA

From Montpelier
18 mi
00h 20m
To Essex Junction
17.1 mi
00h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Sunday

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 7 mph W
Destination
67°F
Sunday

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Montpelier and Essex Junction.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Montpelier and Essex Junction.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    1103 ft · 27 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Memorial Drive

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Memorial Drive

  3. 3

    Keep slight right

    716 ft · 18 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    30.6 mi · 35 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward VT 2A: Williston, Essex Junction

    1413 ft · 39 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Saint George Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Saint George Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Essex Road

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Essex Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Park Street

    1 km · 2 min · Park Street

  9. 9

    Turn slight right onto Main Street

    24 m · 3 sec · Main Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Montpelier and Essex Junction.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Memorial Drive
31.9 mi · 91%
Essex Road
2.24 mi · 6%
Saint George Road
0.7 mi · 2%
Park Street
0.65 mi · 2%
VT 2A
0.27 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.22 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Memorial Drive

Merge slight left

30.6 mi · 00h 35m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 40m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.2 mi
30.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bolton
00h 20m from Montpelier
Leave By
7:10 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Montpelier and Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Essex Junction.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Montpelier to Essex Junction?

The road trip is about 35.1 miles (56.5 km) and usually takes 00h 40m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Bolton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18 miles from Montpelier and 17.1 miles from Essex Junction.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 30.9 miles (49.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:10 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.89 one way or $9.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Montpelier and Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Essex Junction.

Stop Ideas Near Bolton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bolton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bolton.

RAIL

Waterbury

11 mi away
US Hwy 2 and Park Row
RAIL

Essex Junction station

23 mi away
29 Railroad Ave.
RAIL

Montpelier station

25 mi away
Junction Rd and Short Rd
RAIL

Westport station

50 mi away
Hwy 9N and Ledge Hill Rd

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Montpelier and Essex Junction. Straight-line distance: 30.88 mi (49.69 km).

Montpelier

#1 Montpelier

Capital of Vermont, United States and seat of Washington County

Population7,328
Coordinates44.2600600, -72.5753900
Altitude160
CountryUnited States
Essex Junction

#2 Essex Junction

Village located within Essex, Chittenden County, Vermont

Population10,793
Coordinates44.4906100, -73.1109600
Altitude105
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-72.575417, 44.260072)
End: Main Street (-73.110972, 44.490628)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 56 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.24 gal
4.69 L · about $4.89
Round trip
$9.78
2.48 gal · 9.38 L
Estimated CO2
11 kg one way
Round trip: 22 kg / 49 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $4.89 $9.78
Mid-grade $4.46 $5.53 $11.05
Premium $4.86 $6.02 $12.05
Diesel $6.00 $7.44 $14.87

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Vermont · May 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Montpelier and Essex Junction. The current time is 03:20:56.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.