Vermont driving guide

Planning a trip around Vermont? Read our guide for driving through the Green Mountain State to learn about the different toll roads in Vermont, the state’s speed limits and more.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between Vermont and other states
• Driving conditions

Quick rules of the road

• Drivers can turn left at a red light but only after coming to a stop.
• When approaching a four-way intersection, the first vehicle to approach has the right of way.
• Headlights should be turned on 30 minutes after sunset and left on until 30 minutes before sunrise when driving.
• Headlights must not be brighter than 3770 lumens.
• You are not allowed to operate a handheld device like a cell phone while driving a vehicle in Vermont.

Speed limits in Vermont

Below you can find some of the speed limits in Vermont.

Toll roads in Vermont

There are two toll roads in Vermont, which you may need to use to access specific sights or hiking areas on your trip.

Burke Mountain Toll Road

This scenic toll road takes in stunning sights and leads to some of Vermont’s most popular hiking trails.

From: Burke Mountain Campground

To: The summit of Burke Mountain

Cost for car: $5.00 or an all-day access pass for $15.00

Cost for truck: $5.00 or an all-day access pass for $15.00

How to pay: Cash only

Mt. Mansfield toll road

Stretching 4.5 miles, this historic toll road has been guiding visitors up to the peak of Mount Mansfield for more than 150 years. Make the most of excellent views towards Lake Champlain, as you drive your way to the top.

From: Stowe

To: Mt. Mansfield

Cost for car: $26.00 plus an additional $9.50 for every passenger

Cost for truck: Trucks are unable to use this road

How to pay: Credit card only, cash is not accepted.

Driving ages and license requirements in Vermont

●        The minimum driving age in Vermont is 16 with a Junior Driver’s License.

●        The minimum age to rent a car in Vermont with Hertz is 20.

Learn more about Hertz car rental with our guide for drivers aged under 25.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Vermont

In your vehicle, you must have:

• Your driver’s permit
• Proof of insurance
• Your rental agreement
   

You may also want to carry the following in your car, especially when driving in winter in Vermont:

• Flares and matches or reflective emergency triangles
• Jump cables
• A flashlight
• A tire pressure gauge
• An escape tool like a knife
• A multi-tool
• An ice scraper and snow brush
• Duct tape and plastic zip ties
• Spare tires
• A first aid kit
• A wheel wrench
• Washer fluid.

Vermont speed violations, infractions and penalties

Going over the speed limit in Vermont can be penalized with points on your license, fines and even criminal convictions. So, it's best to keep an eye on the speed limit signs when driving.  

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will add points to your driving record each time you're caught breaking the speed limit in Vermont. If your speeding results in an accident, you may receive additional points and risk having your license revoked or suspended.

A first conviction for breaking the speed limit on a highway could lead to a maximum sentence of three months in prison, a maximum fine of $300 or both.

A second conviction could lead to a maximum term of six months in prison, a $500 fine or both.

Driving with children in Vermont

Vermont’s child restraint law requires all children weighing less than 20 pounds to be in rear-facing car seats in the back of the vehicle.

The law recommends that all children under the age of 13 are seated in the backseat with their seat belts on.

Gas prices in Vermont

The average gas price in Vermont is $3.77 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Ford Focus, that’s about $0.13 per mile.
• For a larger family car like a Nissan Pathfinder, it works out at $0.18 per mile.
• For an SUV like a Ford Expedition, it’s around $0.18 per mile on the highway and $0.22 in the city.

Gas price figure last updated November 14, 2022.

Electric car charging in Vermont

Vermont offers 300 public charging stations, with more planned to be installed across the state. The state boasts the highest per capita charging availability in the US, so if you're considering hiring an electric vehicle with Hertz, you’ll easily find charging locations available. 

Driving between Vermont and other states

Planning a day trip or detour from Vermont? You can easily visit Massachusetts, New Hampshire or New York in your rental car with Hertz.

Renting a car in Vermont with Hertz allows you to explore freely without having to worry about bringing the car back. Discover the diverse landscape of the neighboring states and simply leave the car there in one of our drop-off locations. 

Driving conditions in Vermont

The driving conditions in Vermont are generally good. However, you should expect year-round rain and heavy snowfall in the winter.

Make sure your car is prepared to combat snow and ice and drive carefully in bad weather.