Driving Time between Bristol, Maine and Burlington, Vermont

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Exploring Routes: Driving From Bristol, Maine to Burlington, Vermont

For those planning a road trip from Bristol, Maine to Burlington, Vermont, the question of route and travel time is definitely on their minds. The direct distance between the two locations is approximately 200 miles, and the length of the drive can vary based on a few different routes and traffic patterns along the way.

Exploring The Routes

The Fastest Route

The quickest way to travel from Bristol, Maine to Burlington, Vermont is to drive via I-295 S and I-95 S for the majority of the way, followed by a stretch on US-2 W to make the final connection to Burlington. This route has a total distance of approximately 250 miles and a travel time of around 4 hours, depending on traffic.

The Scenic Route

For those who want to enjoy the scenery along the way, taking US-1 S and US-2 W is a fantastic option. It might not be the quickest route, but it certainly will be worth it with jaw-dropping views and interesting pit stops along the way. This route travels the coast through Maine down to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. From there, the route features small towns, mountains, and lakes, a scenery change many road-trippers welcome. The distance along this route is around 290 miles, and you can expect to spend approximately 6 hours to complete the journey, subject to traffic.

The Traffic-Proof Route

For drivers who don't like to deal with traffic, it may be worth considering taking non-interstate highways. For this approach, the recommended route is NH-49 W through the mountains, which then connects to VT-100 N. While this route is scenic, it is also characterized by being a more isolated route, meaning it is less traveled by other vehicles, especially large trucks. It would also be worth noting that this route is popular during the fall season since travelers interested in fall foliage opt to pass through. It is a distance of nearly 255 miles, and without traffic, you can expect to complete the trip in about 5 hours.

Peak and Low-Traffic Times

The time it takes to travel from Bristol, Maine to Burlington, Vermont can vary greatly depending on the time of day and week. Generally speaking, mornings and evenings can see increased traffic, especially during weekdays, while travel time may decrease on weekends. Here's a rough estimate of how long it will take you to get to your destination based on peak and low-traffic times:

Fastest Route:

  • Peak Traffic: 5-5.5 hours
  • Low Traffic: 3.5 - 4 hours

Scenic Route:

  • Peak Traffic: 7 - 8 hours
  • Low Traffic: 5 - 6 hours

Traffic-Proof Route:

  • Peak Traffic: 6-7 hours
  • Low Traffic: 4 - 4.5 hours

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the route you choose will determine how long it takes to travel from Bristol, Maine to Burlington, Vermont. If you take the fastest route, you can expect to spend around four hours on the road. While on the scenic route, one can take the opportunity to enjoy the journey instead of speeding through. In contrast, taking the traffic-proof route will result in longer travel times, but minimized traffic. No matter which route you select or when you plan to drive, we wish you happy travels!