Origin
Danbury, CT
Morning in Danbury on Friday
Local time
10:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Danbury, CT to East Haven, CT
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
38.2 mi
61 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Danbury, CT
Wikimedia Commons
East Haven, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Danbury, CT to East Haven, CT covers 38.2 miles and takes about 1h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Roosevelt Drive, I 84, Berkshire Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 7.9 miles on Roosevelt Drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.15 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 38.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Danbury, CT to East Haven, CT covers 38.2 miles and takes about 1h 5m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
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.
Roosevelt Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 7.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near White Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 38.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (White Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (I 84): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
White Street
Turn right onto White Street
Navigation decision point
5
3.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 84
Merge onto I 84
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
10.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward CT 34: Derby, New Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 11
Toward CT 34: Derby, New Haven
6
34.3 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
State Street
Turn right onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
34.3 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
Water Street
Turn left onto Water Street
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.
On the drive from Danbury, CT to East Haven, CT, road signs begin pointing toward New Haven along the way.
New Haven
10.6 mi in
|
~14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Roosevelt Drive | 7.9 mi | 15m |
| I 84 | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| Berkshire Road | 5 mi | 9m |
| Derby Turnpike | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| New Haven Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Derby Avenue | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Newtown Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| George Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Roosevelt Drive
— 7.9 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Danbury, CT and East Haven, CT.
1
Start on Library Place
234 ft
·
12 sec
·
Library Place
2
Turn left onto CT 53
436 ft
·
20 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto White Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
White Street
4
Continue on Newtown Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Newtown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 84 East: Waterbury
6
Merge onto I 84
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 11
Toward CT 34: Derby, New Haven
8
Turn right onto Wasserman Way
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Wasserman Way
9
Turn right onto CT 34
5.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Berkshire Road
10
Continue on CT 34
7.9 mi
·
15 min
·
Roosevelt Drive
11
Continue on CT 34
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
12
Turn right onto Derby Avenue
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Derby Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
13
Continue on CT 34
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
New Haven Avenue
14
Continue on CT 34
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Derby Turnpike
15
Continue on CT 34
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Derby Avenue
16
Continue on George Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
George Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto State Street
427 ft
·
12 sec
·
State Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Water Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Water Street
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 1
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Forbes Avenue
20
Turn right onto US 1
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Frontage Road
21
Continue on US 1
446 ft
·
9 sec
·
Frontage Road
22
Continue on US 1
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Saltonstall Parkway
23
Turn right onto CT 142
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Hemingway Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Hemingway Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.1 mi from Danbury, CT · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.1 miles from Danbury, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in East Haven, CT
The final approach into East Haven, 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
$6.15 one way
$12.30 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $6.77 | $13.53 |
| premium | $4.86 | $7.32 | $14.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.43 | $16.87 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.33
Derby Turnpike
(4.7 mi)
$0.33
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$0
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.01 | $1.83 |
| Efficient EV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.34 | $1.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.3 | 0 | $5.35 | $2.44 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
East Haven, CT
Morning in East Haven on Friday
Local time
10:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 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 5m 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 Danbury, CT to East Haven, CT covers 38.2 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Roosevelt Drive, I 84, Berkshire Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.1 miles from Danbury, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.15 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 38.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (White Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (I 84): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Danbury, CT to East Haven, CT, road signs begin pointing toward New Haven along the way.
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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