The drive from Fairfield, CT to Ellington, CT covers 75.2 miles and takes about 1h 39m 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 $12.11 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.
Midpoint
37.6 miles from Fairfield, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 75.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 39m highway drive covering 75.2 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 23 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 4.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
4.7 mi into trip|~6m 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
10.3 mi into trip|~13m 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
68.2 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward CT 30, CT 83: Vernon Center, Rockville
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 64-65
Toward CT 30, CT 83: Vernon Center, Rockville
9
68.5 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CT 30 South, CT 83: Talcottville, Rockville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 64
Toward CT 30 South, CT 83: Talcottville, Rockvi...
9
68.7 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CT 83 North: Rockville, Ellington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CT 83 North: Rockville, Ellington
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fairfield, CT and Ellington, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury, New Haven and Rockville.
Waterbury
4.7 mi in|~6m
New Haven
8.6 mi in|~11m|via CT 8
Rockville
68.2 mi in|~1h 26m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Wilbur Cross Parkway
30.4 mi
37m
Berlin Turnpike
15.7 mi
20m
I 84
8 mi
9m
CT 8
5 mi
5m
I 95
4.3 mi
5m
Merritt Parkway
3 mi
4m
Talcottville Road
2.8 mi
4m
West Road
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Wilbur Cross Parkway
— 30.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, CT and Ellington, CT.
1
Start on US 1
186 ft·12 sec·Post Road
2
Turn left onto Mill Plain Road
0.2 mi·22 sec·Mill Plain Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 95 North
4
Merge onto I 95
4.3 mi·5 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 27AToward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, WaterburyUse the right lane.
6
Continue on CT 8; CT 25
3.2 mi·3 min·CT 8; CT 25
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8
1.8 mi·2 min·CT 8
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 6Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New HavenUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto CT 15
3.0 mi·4 min·Merritt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CT 15
30 mi·37 min·Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 5; CT 15
16 mi·20 min·Berlin Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 84; US 6
1.4 mi·1 min·I 84; US 6
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6
6.6 mi·7 min·I 84; US 6
Toward I 84 East: BostonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 64-65Toward CT 30, CT 83: Vernon Center, RockvilleUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 64Toward CT 30 South, CT 83: Talcottville, RockvilleUse the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward CT 83 North: Rockville, EllingtonUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto CT 83
2.8 mi·4 min·Talcottville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on CT 74; CT 83
0.5 mi·50 sec·Windsor Avenue
19
Continue on CT 74; CT 83
0.2 mi·19 sec·Union Street
20
Turn left onto CT 83
0.1 mi·11 sec·West Street
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on CT 83
2.1 mi·3 min·West Road
22
Turn left onto CT 286
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
CT 286
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 37.6 miles from Fairfield, CT, or about 48m 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.6 miles or 48m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ellington, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairfield, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fairfield, CT
This is one driving day of about 75.2 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Fairfield, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 37.6 mi from Fairfield, CT
· 48m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Weir Farm National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Visit the home and studio of America's most beloved Impressionist, J. Alden Weir, and walk in the footsteps of generations of world-class artists. Set amidst more than 60 acres of painterly woods, fie...
From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 75.2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.6
0
$7.90
$3.61
Efficient EV
18.8
0
$6.58
$3.01
EV Truck/SUV
30.1
0
$10.53
$4.81
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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Fairfield, CT
Late night
in Fairfield on Saturday
Local time
5:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ellington, CT
Late night
in Ellington on Saturday
Local time
5:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Kensington, CT
38 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
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 39m 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 Fairfield, CT to Ellington, CT covers 75.2 miles and takes about 1h 39m 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 37.6 miles from Fairfield, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.11 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 75.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Fairfield, CT and Ellington, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury, New Haven and Rockville.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
