Origin
Colchester, CT
Evening in Colchester on Sunday
Local time
5:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colchester, CT to Waterbury, CT
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
43 mi
69 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 1m
★
6 AM
1h 7m
8 AM
1h 17m
10 AM
1h 10m
12 PM
1h 9m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 17m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colchester, CT
MART PRODUCTION
Waterbury, CT
MART PRODUCTION
Trip Overview
Spanning 43 miles across Connecticut, this trip from Colchester to Waterbury is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 6 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, it serves perfectly as a quick day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $7 on fuel for the one-way trek. You will be navigating through the Northeast, transitioning across the state using a combination of Middletown Road, I-691, and I-84. It is an efficient route for those looking to reach their destination without a major time commitment, making it ideal for a flexible schedule.
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
21.5 miles from Colchester, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 43-mile drive offers a mixed-road experience, characterized by a 35% highway share that keeps you moving efficiently. You won't face long, monotonous stretches, as the longest uninterrupted highway segment is just 7.8 miles on I-691. The transition from local roads like Middletown Road onto the interstate system provides a varied pace that keeps the drive engaging. You will find that the personality of the road shifts as you merge onto I-84, moving from quieter corridors to the more standard flow of Connecticut’s major traffic arteries. It is a functional drive that balances regional road navigation with brief interstate stretches.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 691 is the longest continuous segment at about 7.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18 miles in near CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 43 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 18 miles (CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles (CT 3 / Newfield Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 19.9 miles (CT 66 / Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
18 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
19.8 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
CT 3 / Newfield Street
At end of road, turn left onto CT 3 / Newfield Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
19.9 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
CT 66 / Washington Street
Turn right onto CT 66 / Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
33.9 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 84 West: Waterbury
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Exit 8B
Toward I 84 West: Waterbury
8
42 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward Meadow Street, Bank Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward Meadow Street, Bank Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 691 | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| I 84 | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| Middletown Road | 6.1 mi | 10m |
| Meriden Road | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Portland-Cobalt Road | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Colchester Avenue | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Middletown Avenue | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Washington Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 691
— 7.8 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colchester, CT and Waterbury, CT.
1
Start on Hayward Avenue
181 ft
·
14 sec
·
Hayward Avenue
2
Turn left onto CT 16
132 ft
·
6 sec
·
Lebanon Avenue
3
Turn left onto CT 16; CT 85
445 ft
·
10 sec
·
Main Street
4
Turn right onto CT 16
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Linwood Avenue
5
Continue on CT 16
6.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Middletown Road
6
Continue on CT 16
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Colchester Avenue
7
Continue on CT 16
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Middletown Avenue
8
Turn left onto CT 66
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
West High Street
9
Continue on CT 66
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Portland-Cobalt Road
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on CT 17; CT 66
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Marlborough Street
Use the none lane.
11
At end of road, turn left onto CT 17; CT 66
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto Grand Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Street
13
At end of road, turn left onto Prospect Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Prospect Street
14
Continue on Liberty Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Liberty Street
15
At end of road, turn left onto CT 3
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Newfield Street
16
Turn right onto CT 66
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on CT 66
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Meriden Road
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 691
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
I 691
Use the none lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B
Toward I 84 West: Waterbury
Use the none lane.
20
Merge onto I 84
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 84
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 21
Toward Meadow Street, Bank Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Meadow Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Meadow Street
23
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
West Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should keep an eye on traffic patterns as you approach Waterbury on I-84. Because the total duration is just over an hour, you likely won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way. With a modest fuel budget of $7, filling up before you leave Colchester is the most practical way to start your journey. Keep in mind that the route relies heavily on the I-691 segment for its highway portion, so check local traffic reports for that specific stretch before pulling out of your driveway. Enjoy the simplicity of this short Connecticut transit.
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 21.5 miles from Colchester, CT, or about 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.8 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 43 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.5 miles or 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterbury, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colchester, 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 Colchester, CT
This is one driving day of about 43 miles and 1h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colchester, 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 I 691 for about 7.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.5 mi from Colchester, CT · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.5 miles from Colchester, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Waterbury, CT
The final approach into Waterbury, 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 Waterbury, 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
$6.88 one way
$13.77 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $7.55 | $15.09 |
| premium | $4.83 | $8.17 | $16.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.55 | $19.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.52 | $2.06 |
| Efficient EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.76 | $1.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.02 | $2.75 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% 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
Waterbury, CT
Evening in Waterbury on Sunday
Local time
5:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
22 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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 6m 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 Colchester, CT to Waterbury, CT covers 43 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 691, I 84, Middletown Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.5 miles from Colchester, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.88 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 14 significant decision points across 43 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 18 miles (CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles (CT 3 / Newfield Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 19.9 miles (CT 66 / Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Colchester, CT to Waterbury, CT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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