The transportation reality
Vermont is defined by its rural settlement pattern. Its largest city, Burlington, has a population just under 45,000. Across 251 towns, 14 counties and 9,600 miles of public highway there are no multi-lane beltways, no major toll roads and virtually no light rail.
Roughly 95 percent of visitors require a private vehicle. About 3,100 miles — 32 percent of the network — is unpaved dirt or gravel. There is one major commercial airport, Burlington International, and two interstates, I-89 and I-91. Regional bus networks exist in Chittenden County and select resort corridors, but you cannot meaningfully explore the mountain gaps, state parks, covered bridges or general stores without a car.
The road hierarchy
Adjust your expectations about speed and surface.
Interstates I-89 and I-91 — 65 mph, for fast transit. I-89 cuts diagonally from White River Junction through Montpelier, Waterbury and Burlington to the Canadian border; I-91 traces the eastern border along the Connecticut River from Massachusetts to Derby Line.
Primary state routes 100, 7 and 4 — 35 to 50 mph scenic corridors. Route 100, Vermont’s Main Street, runs 217 miles north-south through the Green Mountains, linking nearly every ski area. Route 7 is the western corridor connecting Bennington, Manchester, Middlebury and Burlington.
Mountain gap roads 108, 125 and 17 — 15 to 30 mph with hairpin turns. Route 108 through Smugglers' Notch closes in winter and narrows to one lane around boulders; Route 125 over Middlebury Gap has 12 percent grades; Route 17 over Appalachian Gap has sharp switchbacks near Mad River Glen.
Class 3 town dirt roads — 25 to 35 mph, gravel with mud potential, giving access to trailheads, campsites and rural B&Bs.
A note on billboards
Vermont is one of only four US states that completely bans roadside billboards. Navigation relies entirely on official brown state historic markers, blue food and lodging highway signs, and GPS — which means downloading offline maps before you head into the gaps.
Winter driving, November to April
Winter demands specific preparation.
Drive system — all-wheel or four-wheel drive strongly advised.
Tires — M+S rated all-season at minimum; dedicated snow tires are better.
Clearance — a minimum of six inches for unplowed dirt roads.
Emergency kit — ice scraper, collapsible shovel, tow strap and blanket.
Washer fluid — de-icer formula rated to minus 20 Fahrenheit.
How plowing priority works
Vermont’s Agency of Transportation prioritizes state highways during storms. The interstates, I-89 and I-91, are cleared continuously throughout an active storm. Primary state routes such as 100 and 7 are plowed regularly, though slush accumulates during high-intensity snowfall. Town dirt roads are plowed by local municipal crews, and you should expect hard-packed snow or ice for up to 24 hours after a storm.
Trains, buses and ferries
For travellers who prefer not to drive the whole distance, three options exist.
Amtrak runs two daily routes. The Vermonter comes from Washington DC, New York Penn Station and Connecticut to Brattleboro, White River Junction, Montpelier, Waterbury and Burlington Union Station. The Ethan Allen Express connects New York Penn Station to Rutland and Burlington via Albany.
Regional buses cover limited ground. Green Mountain Transit serves Chittenden County — Burlington, South Burlington and Winooski. Tri-Valley Transit and Southeast Vermont Transit connect Middlebury, Rutland, Wilmington and Brattleboro on limited schedules. Resort shuttles in Stowe and Killington run free in winter between village hotels and base lodges.
Lake Champlain Transportation Company ferries connect western Vermont to New York on three routes: Grand Isle to Plattsburgh, 20 minutes, year-round; Charlotte to Essex, 25 minutes, seasonal; and Shoreham to Ticonderoga, 7 minutes, a seasonal cable ferry.
Cheat sheet
What each mode is actually good for.
Rental car with AWD — statewide, essential for 95 percent of itineraries, 55 to 120 a day.
Amtrak — major valley corridors; excellent for arrival but you still need a car on site, 45 to 110 one way.
Green Mountain Transit bus — the Burlington metro area only; free to 2 dollars a ride, and non-existent in rural areas.
Resort shuttles — Stowe, Killington and Okemo; free seasonal service between hotels and mountains.
Uber and Lyft — Burlington and South Burlington only; non-existent in the mountain gaps and small towns.
Good to know
Do you need a car in Vermont?+
For about 95 percent of itineraries, yes. Outside Burlington there is almost no transit, and the state’s mountain gaps, state parks, covered bridges and general stores are unreachable without one. Burlington itself is walkable and bikeable.
Can you take a train to Vermont?+
Yes. Amtrak’s Vermonter runs daily from Washington DC and New York to Brattleboro, White River Junction, Montpelier, Waterbury and Burlington; the Ethan Allen Express links New York to Rutland and Burlington via Albany. You will still want a car once here.
How much of Vermont is dirt road?+
About 3,100 miles — roughly 32 percent of the state’s 9,600 miles of public highway. These Class 3 town roads are how you reach trailheads, campsites and rural inns, and they soften badly in mud season.
Is winter driving in Vermont difficult?+
Manageable with preparation. Use all-wheel or four-wheel drive with proper winter tires, at least six inches of clearance, and carry a scraper, shovel, tow strap and blanket. Interstates are plowed continuously; town dirt roads can stay snow-packed for 24 hours.
Are there ferries across Lake Champlain?+
Three. Grand Isle to Plattsburgh runs 20 minutes year-round; Charlotte to Essex is a seasonal 25-minute crossing; and Shoreham to Ticonderoga is a seasonal 7-minute cable ferry — all run by the Lake Champlain Transportation Company.