Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
45.9 mi
74 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hamden, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Stamford, CT
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Hamden, CT to Stamford, CT covers 45.9 miles and takes about 1h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Wilbur Cross Parkway, CT 8 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 20.6 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.39 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 2m. Total distance: 45.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 2m 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.
This is a 1h 2m highway drive covering 45.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and Wilbur Cross Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 20.6 miles on I 95.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Wilbur Cross Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.2 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 45.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward CT 8, CT 108: Bridgeport, 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 toward CT 8 South, CT 108 South: Bridgeport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward CT 8 South: Bridgeport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CT 137 North: Atlantic Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hamden, CT to Stamford, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Waterbury along the way.
Waterbury
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 20.6 mi | 28m |
| Wilbur Cross Parkway | 13.8 mi | 17m |
| CT 8 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Merritt Parkway | 3 mi | 3m |
| Whitney Avenue | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Atlantic Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North State Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hamden, CT and Stamford, CT.
Start on CT 10
Take the ramp
Merge onto CT 15
Continue on CT 15
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto CT 8
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North State Street
Turn right onto Atlantic Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.9 mi from Hamden, CT · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 22.9 miles from Hamden, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Stamford, CT usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.39 one way
$14.78 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $8.13 | $16.26 |
| premium | $4.86 | $8.79 | $17.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.13 | $20.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.82 | $2.20 |
| Efficient EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.02 | $1.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.43 | $2.94 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Late night in Hamden on Saturday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Stamford on Saturday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
45°F
Fairfield, CT
23 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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.
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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