Origin
Bridgeport, CT
Morning in Bridgeport on Wednesday
Local time
7:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bridgeport, CT to Crystal Lake, CT
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
1h 36m
Distance
73.8 mi
119 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 51m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 40m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bridgeport, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Crystal Lake, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Bridgeport, CT to Crystal Lake, CT covers 73.8 miles and takes about 1h 36m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Wilbur Cross Parkway, Berlin Turnpike, I 84 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.4 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.88 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
36.9 miles from Bridgeport, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 36m highway drive covering 73.8 miles, with most of the trip on Wilbur Cross Parkway and Berlin Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 30.4 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Wilbur Cross Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 30.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and Berlin Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 73.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (CT 8): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward CT 8, CT 25 North: Trumbull, Waterbury
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CT 8, CT 25 North: Trumbull, Waterbury
6
3.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
CT 8
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8 toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
8
5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
7
56.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
I 84; US 6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6 toward I 84 East: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 84 East: Boston
8
66.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward CT 31: Rockville, Coventry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67
Toward CT 31: Rockville, Coventry
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bridgeport, CT and Crystal Lake, CT, road signs point toward New Haven and Coventry.
New Haven
5 mi in
|
~6m
Coventry
66.9 mi in
|
~1h 24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wilbur Cross Parkway | 30.4 mi | 37m |
| Berlin Turnpike | 15.7 mi | 20m |
| I 84 | 12.1 mi | 14m |
| CT 8 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Crystal Lake Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Merritt Parkway | 3 mi | 4m |
| Hartford Turnpike | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Stafford Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Wilbur Cross Parkway
— 30.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bridgeport, CT and Crystal Lake, CT.
1
Start on CT 130
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Fairfield Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward CT 8, CT 25 North: Trumbull, Waterbury
3
Merge onto CT 8; CT 25
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
CT 8; CT 25
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
CT 8
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 6
Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto CT 15
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Merritt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on CT 15
30 mi
·
37 min
·
Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 5; CT 15
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Berlin Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 84; US 6
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 84; US 6
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 84; US 6
Toward I 84 East: Boston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 67
Toward CT 31: Rockville, Coventry
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto CT 31
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Reservoir Road
13
Turn right onto CT 30
275 ft
·
5 sec
·
Hartford Turnpike
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on CT 30
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Hyde Avenue
15
Continue on CT 30
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Hartford Turnpike
16
Continue on CT 30; CT 74
412 ft
·
14 sec
·
Tolland Stage Road
17
Turn left onto CT 30
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Crystal Lake Road
18
Continue on CT 30
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Stafford Road
19
Turn right onto CT 140
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Crystal Lake Road
20
Continue on CT 140
511 ft
·
10 sec
·
Sandy Beach Road
21
Arrive at destination
CT 140
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.9 miles from Bridgeport, CT, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 73.8 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.9 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crystal Lake, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bridgeport, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bridgeport, CT
This is one driving day of about 73.8 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bridgeport, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Wilbur Cross Parkway for about 30.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.9 mi from Bridgeport, CT · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 73.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.9 miles from Bridgeport, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Crystal Lake, CT
The final approach into Crystal Lake, CT usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Crystal Lake, CT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.88 one way
$23.76 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $13.07 | $26.14 |
| premium | $4.86 | $14.13 | $28.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.29 | $32.59 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.19
Berlin Turnpike
(15.7 mi)
$1.10
Hartford Turnpike
(1.2 mi)
$0.09
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.75 | $3.54 |
| Efficient EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.46 | $2.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.33 | $4.72 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Crystal Lake, CT
Morning in Crystal Lake on Wednesday
Local time
7:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
37 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 36m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bridgeport, CT to Crystal Lake, CT covers 73.8 miles and takes about 1h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wilbur Cross Parkway, Berlin Turnpike, I 84. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.9 miles from Bridgeport, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.88 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 73.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (CT 8): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bridgeport, CT and Crystal Lake, CT, road signs point toward New Haven and Coventry.
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