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Create accountDrive Time
48m
Distance
30.7 mi
49 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfield, CT
MART PRODUCTION
Southbury, CT
David Kanigan
If you are planning to travel from Fairfield to Southbury, expect a straightforward 30.7-mile journey that typically takes about 48 minutes behind the wheel. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as the distance is short enough that you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You will navigate a combination of I-95, CT 25, and I-84 to complete the transit between these two Connecticut locations. With a minimal fuel cost of approximately $5, this drive is an economical choice for those moving between the coastal region and the inland areas of the state. It is a highly practical connection that prioritizes efficiency over exploration, making it ideal for commuters or those with a specific destination in mind. Because the trip is so quick, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal 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
15.3 miles from Fairfield, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with roughly 81% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will encounter a mix of interstate travel and state highway segments, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the 48-minute trip. The longest uninterrupted portion of your journey occurs on CT 25, which spans 12 miles of the total distance. As you transition between the different road types, the feel of the drive shifts from the busier lanes of I-95 to the more direct stretches found on CT 25 and I-84. You should be prepared for a functional, no-nonsense driving experience that gets you from start to finish with minimal deviation from the main highway corridors.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
52 ft
Total Descent
22 ft
Highest Point
45 ft
~6.4 mi in
Elevation Range
31 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 25 and I 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Mill Plain Road.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 30.7 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: near the start (Mill Plain Road): Navigation decision point; 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 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Mill Plain Road
Navigation decision point
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
Keep slight left at fork onto CT 25 toward CT 25 North: Trumbull, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 6 toward US 6 East, CT 67: Southbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6 toward US 6 East, CT 67: Southbury
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Fairfield, CT and Southbury, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury and New York City.
Waterbury
New York City
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 25 | 12 mi | 18m |
| I 84 | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| I 95 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| CT 8 | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Toddy Hill Road | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| Botsford Hill Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Main Street North | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| US 6 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, CT and Southbury, CT.
Start on US 1
Turn left onto Mill Plain Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Continue on CT 8; CT 25
Keep slight left at fork onto CT 25
Turn right onto Botsford Hill Road
Continue on Toddy Hill Road
At end of road, turn left onto CT 34
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 84; US 6
Take the exit onto US 6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6
Turn left onto US 6; CT 67
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short, 30.7-mile drive, you have the advantage of total flexibility when it comes to planning your departure time. You won't need to schedule formal rest stops, as the duration is under an hour, allowing you to drive straight through without needing to refuel or take a break. Keep in mind that because the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like I-84 and I-95, traffic patterns on these highways will have the greatest impact on your total travel time. Check local traffic reports before you leave to ensure the 48-minute estimate holds up for your specific window of travel. As a concrete tip, prioritize smooth lane changes when transitioning between the different highway systems to maintain your momentum throughout the trip.
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.
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 30.7 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.3 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southbury, CT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, CT
This is one driving day of about 30.7 miles and 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.3 mi from Fairfield, CT · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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.
A short stop after about 30.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 15.3 miles from Fairfield, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Southbury, 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 Southbury, CT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$4.91 one way
$9.83 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $5.39 | $10.77 |
| premium | $4.83 | $5.84 | $11.67 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.82 | $13.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Fairfield on Sunday
Local time
9:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Clear
Destination
Night in Southbury on Sunday
Local time
9:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
33°F
Clear
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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