Origin
Groton, CT
Late night in Groton on Wednesday
Local time
1:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Groton, CT to Waterbury, CT
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
65.3 mi
105 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 20m
★
6 AM
1h 26m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Groton, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Waterbury, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 65.3-mile drive from Groton, CT, to Waterbury, CT, will take you approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that is easily manageable as a day trip, so no overnight stays are necessary. The estimated fuel cost is around $11, making it an economical journey. You'll primarily travel on CT 9 and I-95 before transitioning to I-691. Given its relatively short distance and highway nature, this route is best suited for efficient travel within the Northeast region.
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
32.7 miles from Groton, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 84% of the journey on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 23.3 miles on CT 9, offering a sustained period of highway driving. While not a scenic byway, this route prioritizes directness and speed, allowing you to cover ground efficiently. The character of the drive is consistent, maintaining a highway feel for most of its 65.3 miles.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CT 9 is the longest continuous segment at about 23.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 9 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 65.3 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: at 17.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
17.8 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 69
Toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
7
18 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
6
56.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 84 West: Waterbury
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 8B
Toward I 84 West: Waterbury
5
57.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
I 84
Merge onto I 84
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
64.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward Meadow Street, Bank Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward Meadow Street, Bank Street
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 Groton, CT to Waterbury, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Hartford along the way.
Hartford
17.8 mi in
|
~24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 9 | 23.3 mi | 27m |
| I 95 | 16.4 mi | 20m |
| I 691 | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| I 84 | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| Meriden Road | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Washington Street | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| Mitchell Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Meadow Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CT 9
— 23.3 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Groton, CT and Waterbury, CT.
1
Start on Smith Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Smith Street
2
Turn right onto Allen Street
446 ft
·
24 sec
·
Allen Street
3
Turn left onto Mitchell Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Mitchell Street
4
Continue on North Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Street
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
6
Merge onto I 95; US 1
16 mi
·
20 min
·
I 95; US 1
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 69
Toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
9
Continue on CT 9
23 mi
·
27 min
·
CT 9
10
Turn left
150 ft
·
3 sec
Toward CT 66 West: Middletown
11
Continue on Washington Street
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on CT 66
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Meriden Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 691
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
I 691
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B
Toward I 84 West: Waterbury
15
Merge onto I 84
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 21
Toward Meadow Street, Bank Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Meadow Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Meadow Street
18
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
West Main Street
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over 1.5 hours, this trip offers plenty of flexibility for departure times. Leaving early can help you avoid potential commuter traffic, especially as you approach the Waterbury area. Since it's a short drive, you won't need to worry about extensive stopovers, though a quick break might be welcome after the 23.3-mile stretch on CT 9. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is low at $11, it's always wise to be aware of your nearest exits for services, particularly on the interstate segments.
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 32.7 miles from Groton, CT, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.3 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 65.3 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.7 miles or 42m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterbury, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Groton, 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 Groton, CT
This is one driving day of about 65.3 miles and 1h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Groton, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on CT 9 for about 23.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.7 mi from Groton, CT · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 65.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.7 miles from Groton, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Waterbury, CT
The final approach into Waterbury, 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 Waterbury, CT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.51 one way
$21.02 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $11.57 | $23.13 |
| premium | $4.86 | $12.50 | $25.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.42 | $28.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.86 | $3.13 |
| Efficient EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.71 | $2.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.14 | $4.18 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Waterbury, CT
Late night in Waterbury on Wednesday
Local time
1:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
33 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
4 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 26m 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 Groton, CT to Waterbury, CT covers 65.3 miles and takes about 1h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CT 9, I 95, I 691. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.7 miles from Groton, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.51 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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 65.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Groton, CT to Waterbury, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Hartford along the way.
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