how long will it take?

[bev123]

I've never been to Vermont, but I'll be in New England for about four days including Columbus Day weekend. I'd like to see the fall color all around the state, but I'm told the traffic is very bad that time of year. How long would it take to drive from Bennington to Stowe? Can I make that round trip in one day, or should I take it slower? I was told Rte. 100 was the best drive, but someone else told me that would take too long. Any help would be great, thank you.

[pwt54]

Yes, you can drive from Bennington to Stowe and back ina day.Heck, you can drive from one end of the State to the other end and back in one day. You should do route 100. It won't take that much longer. You can take the "fast" way back. The "fast" way would be; take I-89 west to exit 12 in Williston. Turn left and drive route 2A south to the end at route 116. Turn left and drive route 116 south to the end at route US 7 in East Middlebury. Turn left and drive route US 7 south to Bennington.

[ixl]

I drove all around Vermont during foliage season last year and IMO the traffic concerns are overrated. It might gum up a bit near tourist attractions but on the whole.. I saw little traffic.

If you want to take 100, the most direct route from Bennington to Stowe would be to take 7 up to Manchester, then 11 across to 100 and 100 up.

But if there is still color in the higher elevations and you aren't afraid of a bumpy dirt road, instead go up to Arlington and take the Kelly Stand Road across to route 100 in the Stratton area. Be sure to stop and check out Roaring Branch, which runs along the first few miles of the Kelly Stand Road. --c

[pwt54]

Stowe is usually busy on Colombus Day weekend. They usually have something going on. Things can jam up at the route 100 and 108 intersection.