Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
49.4 mi
79 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
Photo: James Mirakian
The drive from Groton, CT to New Haven, CT covers 49.4 miles and takes about 1h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Forbes Avenue, Water Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 44.5 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.91 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
24.7 miles from Groton, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 31m into the drive .
This is a 1h 3m highway drive covering 49.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and Forbes Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 44.5 miles on I 95.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Forbes Avenue. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Allen Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.4 miles you will encounter 8 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 (Allen Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 95; US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 right onto Allen Street
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 95; US 1
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 1: Frontage Road, Lighthouse Point
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto Olive Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto College Street
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Groton, CT to New Haven, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Lighthouse Point along the way.
Lighthouse Point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 44.5 mi | 54m |
| Forbes Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Water Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Chapel Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Frontage Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Mitchell Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Olive Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Groton, CT and New Haven, CT.
Start on Smith Street
Turn right onto Allen Street
Turn left onto Mitchell Street
Continue on North Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95; US 1
Take the exit
Merge onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Turn right onto Olive Street
Turn left onto Chapel Street
Turn right onto College Street
Arrive at destination
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 49.4 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.7 miles or 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Haven, CT than in the middle of the route.
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 49.4 miles and 1h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.7 mi from Groton, CT · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 49.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 24.7 miles from Groton, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into New Haven, 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 New Haven, CT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.91 one way
$15.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $8.67 | $17.34 |
| premium | $4.83 | $9.39 | $18.78 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.97 | $21.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.19 | $2.37 |
| Efficient EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.32 | $1.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.92 | $3.16 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Groton on Saturday
Local time
6:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in New Haven on Saturday
Local time
6:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
25 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
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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