Getting Around in Vermont
Road travel provides access to Vermont’s valleys and peaks, serving as most Vermontans primary method of transportation. Despite the state’s mountainous terrain, which one would think might be difficult to navigate by automobile; Vermont had the third fewest vehicular related deaths in 2009. In total, Vermont is serviced by 2,843 miles of highway, including 3 major interstates. Interstate 89 cuts diagonally across the state, with access to both the state’s capital city of Montpelier and its largest city, Burlington. Spanning from Massachusetts up to Canada, Interstate 91 connects Brattleboro with White River Junction, St. Johnsbury and Newport, serving as the eastern border for the southern part of the state. Interstate 93, ending at its northernmost point in St. Johnsbury, runs southwest providing passage to the state of New Hampshire. Vermont’s drivers will notice relatively convenient interstate commute free of oversized trucks, as vehicles weighing more than 80,000 lbs. are restricted to Vermont’s secondary roads.
Railway travel is also a viable option for Vermont’s vacationers and residents. The state is home to two separate Amtrak trains . The Vermonter, opened in 1995, connects travelers from the city of St. Albans to its southernmost stop in Washington D.C. The nine stations serviced within the state of Vermont see more than 60,000 passengers annually. The Vermonter is currently considering expanding its track, covering the area between White River Junction to Springfield, Mass., allowing for more flexibility in travel time. The Ethan Allen Express, Amtrack’s other train, operates on a 241 mile track from New York City to Rutland, VT. Along the course of its route rests the Killington ski resort area, making this train a stop for weekend getaways, particularly in the winter months. Like the Vermonter, the Ethan Allen Express has also planned to expand, with a proposed stop in Burlington to take advantage of the city’s sizeable population and increase ridership.