How far is Montpelier, VT from Fairfax, VT?

The driving distance from Montpelier, VT to Fairfax, VT is about 46.5 miles (74.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 35.2 miles (56.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
46.53 mi
01h 07m
Flight
35.23 mi
56.69 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Montpelier.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
35.23 mi
Kilometers
56.69 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
46.53 mi
Kilometers
74.88 km
Drive Time
01h 07m

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 01h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fairfax
Wed, May 13, 12:17 AM EDT
Return by in Montpelier
Wed, May 13, 1:25 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Montpelier
2026-05-12T23:10
Arrive Fairfax
Wed, May 13, 12:17 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Montpelier
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Richmond
VT

Place in Vermont, United States of America

From Montpelier
23.2 mi
00h 33m
To Fairfax
23.3 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Tuesday

Patchy Frost then Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 7 mph NW
Destination
53°F
Tuesday

Patchy Frost then Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Montpelier and Fairfax.

  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

    25.1 mi · 29 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 2: Richmond, Williston

    1914 ft · 50 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    57 m · 7 sec · West Main Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto River Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · River Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Vermont Route 117

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Vermont Route 117

  9. 9

    Continue on River Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · River Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Sand Hill Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Sand Hill Road

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Sand Hill Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Sand Hill Road

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Jericho Road

    1406 ft · 42 sec · Jericho Road

  13. 13

    Turn sharp right onto Browns River Road

    8.1 mi · 14 min · Browns River Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Vermont Route 128

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Vermont Route 128

  15. 15

    Continue on Browns River Road

    1 km · 1 min · Browns River Road

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Main Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Main Street

  17. 17

    Turn sharp right onto River Road

    13 m · 5 sec · River Road

  18. 18

    Turn left

    8 m · 2 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
40.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Memorial Drive
26.4 mi · 57%
Browns River Road
8.71 mi · 19%
Vermont Route 128
2.87 mi · 6%
Vermont Route 117
2.79 mi · 6%
Sand Hill Road
2.2 mi · 5%
River Road
2 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Memorial Drive

Merge slight left

25.1 mi · 00h 29m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.3 mi
35.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Richmond
00h 33m from Montpelier
Leave By
4:14 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Patchy Frost then Sunny leaving Montpelier and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Fairfax.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Montpelier to Fairfax?

The road trip is about 46.5 miles (74.9 km) and usually takes 01h 07m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Richmond is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.2 miles from Montpelier and 23.3 miles from Fairfax.

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

The direct path is about 35.2 miles (56.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.47 one way or $12.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Montpelier and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Fairfax.

Stop Ideas Near Richmond

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Richmond, 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 Richmond.

RAIL

Essex Junction station

13 mi away
29 Railroad Ave.
RAIL

Waterbury

21 mi away
US Hwy 2 and Park Row
RAIL

Montpelier station

35 mi away
Junction Rd and Short Rd
RAIL

Port Kent station

41 mi away
Hwy 373 & Back Rd

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Montpelier and Fairfax. Straight-line distance: 35.23 mi (56.69 km).

Montpelier

#1 Montpelier

Capital of Vermont, United States and seat of Washington County

Population7,328
Coordinates44.2600600, -72.5753900
Altitude160
CountryUnited States
Fairfax

#2 Fairfax

Town in Vermont, United States

Population4,917
Coordinates44.6653300, -73.0087500
Altitude110
CountryUnited States
Start: Montpelier (-72.57539, 44.26006)
End: Fairfax (-73.00875, 44.66533)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 75 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.64 gal
6.22 L · about $6.47
Round trip
$12.94
3.28 gal · 12.44 L
Estimated CO2
14.6 kg one way
Round trip: 29.1 kg / 64 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $6.47 $12.94
Mid-grade $4.46 $7.31 $14.62
Premium $4.86 $7.97 $15.93
Diesel $6.00 $9.84 $19.67

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Montpelier and Fairfax. The current time is 23:10:11.

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.