Origin
Fairfield, CT
Night in Fairfield on Friday
Local time
11:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfield, CT to North Haven, CT
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
41m
Distance
30.7 mi
49 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 41m
8 AM
0h 48m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 43m
3 PM
0h 44m
5 PM
0h 48m
8 PM
0h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfield, CT
David Kanigan
North Haven, CT
David Kanigan
Trip Overview
The drive from Fairfield, CT to North Haven, CT covers 30.7 miles and takes about 41m 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, CT 8, I 95 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 15.6 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.94 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 41m. Total distance: 30.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 41m highway drive covering 30.7 miles, with most of the trip on Wilbur Cross Parkway and CT 8. The longest continuous stretch is about 15.6 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 15 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 15.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and CT 8. 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 Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 30.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 41m.
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 8.6 miles (CT 8): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese 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
6
8.6 mi into trip
|
~11m 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
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
7
29.7 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward CT 22: North Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53
Toward CT 22: North Haven
6
30.7 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
US 5 / Washington Avenue
Turn left onto US 5 / Washington Avenue
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 Fairfield, CT and North Haven, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury and New Haven.
Waterbury
4.7 mi in
|
~6m
New Haven
8.6 mi in
|
~11m
|
via CT 8
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wilbur Cross Parkway | 15.6 mi | 19m |
| CT 8 | 5 mi | 5m |
| I 95 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Merritt Parkway | 3 mi | 4m |
| Clintonville Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Mill Plain Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Bishop Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Post Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Wilbur Cross Parkway
— 15.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, CT and North Haven, 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 27A
Toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury
Use 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 6
Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
Use 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
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 53
Toward CT 22: North Haven
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
At end of road, turn right onto CT 22
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Bishop Street
13
Continue on US 5; CT 22
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Clintonville Road
14
Turn left onto US 5
27 ft
·
0 sec
·
Washington Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
US 5
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.94 one way
$9.88 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $5.44 | $10.88 |
| premium | $4.86 | $5.88 | $11.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.78 | $13.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.22 | $1.47 |
| Efficient EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.69 | $1.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.30 | $1.96 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
North Haven, CT
Night in North Haven on Friday
Local time
11:18 PM
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
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
41m 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 North Haven, CT covers 30.7 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wilbur Cross Parkway, CT 8, I 95. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.3 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 $4.94 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 short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 30.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 41m.
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 8.6 miles (CT 8): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Fairfield, CT and North Haven, 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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