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Trip from Cos Cob, CT to Meriden, CT

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 25m

Distance

62.2 mi

100 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 19 min
4 AM
1h 19m ★
6 AM
1h 25m
8 AM
1h 38m
10 AM
1h 30m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 38m
8 PM
1h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Cos Cob, CT, CT

Cos Cob, CT

MART PRODUCTION

Downtown Meriden, CT, CT

Meriden, CT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Cos Cob, CT to Meriden, CT covers 62.2 miles and takes about 1h 25m 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, I 95, CT 8 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 23.5 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.01 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 25m. Total distance: 62.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 25m highway drive covering 62.2 miles, with most of the trip on Wilbur Cross Parkway and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 23.5 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 17 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 23.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.7 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 points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 95: New York City, New Haven

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95: New York City, New Haven
8
25.1 mi into trip | ~35m in

Take the exit toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 27A Toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury
8
30.7 mi into trip | ~42m 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
8
58 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Take the exit toward US 5: Wallingford, Meriden

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 61 Toward US 5: Wallingford, Meriden
7
61.4 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in | East Main Street

Turn sharp left onto East Main Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Cos Cob, CT and Meriden, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury and New Haven.

Waterbury

25.1 mi in | ~35m

New Haven

29 mi in | ~40m | via CT 8

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Wilbur Cross Parkway 23.5 mi 28m
I 95 23.1 mi 31m
CT 8 5 mi 5m
Merritt Parkway 3 mi 4m
South Broad Street 2.2 mi 4m
East Putnam Avenue 1.3 mi 2m
North Colony Road 0.9 mi 1m
East Main Street 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Wilbur Cross Parkway — 23.5 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cos Cob, CT and Meriden, CT.

1

Start on Maplewood Drive

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Maplewood Drive
2

Turn right onto Loughlin Avenue

387 ft · 21 sec · Loughlin Avenue
3

Turn left onto Strickland Road

480 ft · 24 sec · Strickland Road
4

Turn right onto US 1

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Putnam Avenue
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 95: New York City, New Haven Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto I 95

23 mi · 31 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 27A Toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury Use the right lane.
8

Continue on CT 8; CT 25

3.2 mi · 3 min · CT 8; CT 25
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8

1.8 mi · 2 min · CT 8
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 6 Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven Use the slight right lane.
11

Merge onto CT 15

3.0 mi · 4 min · Merritt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on CT 15

23 mi · 28 min · Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 46 sec
Exit 61 Toward US 5: Wallingford, Meriden Use the right lane.
14

Turn right onto US 5

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Colony Road
Use the straight lane.
15

Continue on US 5

2.2 mi · 4 min · South Broad Street
16

Turn sharp left onto East Main Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
Use the left lane.
17

Arrive at destination

West Main Street

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 31.1 mi from Cos Cob, CT · 43m into the drive

Downtown Fairfield, CT, CT

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fairfield, CT

31 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

Norwalk, CT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Trumbull, CT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 31.1 miles from Cos Cob, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Meriden, CT

The final approach into Meriden, CT usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.01 one way

$20.03 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 22 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $11.02 $22.03
premium $4.86 $11.91 $23.82
diesel $5.61 $13.73 $27.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$10

Estimated CO2 emission: 21.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 18.7 0 $6.53 $2.99
Efficient EV 15.6 0 $5.44 $2.49
EV Truck/SUV 24.9 0 $8.71 $3.98

Gas CO2

22 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (68% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Cos Cob, CT

Morning in Cos Cob on Friday

Local time

10:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Meriden, CT

Morning in Meriden on Friday

Local time

10:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

45°F

Fairfield, CT

31 mi in

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

3 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 25m 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 Cos Cob, CT to Meriden, CT covers 62.2 miles and takes about 1h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Wilbur Cross Parkway, I 95, CT 8. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 31.1 miles from Cos Cob, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.01 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Between Cos Cob, CT and Meriden, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury and New Haven.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Weir Farm National Historical Park.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Meriden, CT to Cos Cob, CT

Plan the drive back the other way.

61.3 mi 1h 24m

Explore more options from Cos Cob, CT or browse trips ending in Meriden, CT.

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