Origin
Hartford, CT
Afternoon in Hartford on Sunday
Local time
4:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
14m
Distance
9.7 mi
16 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
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.
Hartford, CT
MART PRODUCTION
Manchester, CT
MART PRODUCTION
Traveling between Hartford and Manchester, Connecticut, is a quick 9.7-mile journey that typically takes about 14 minutes. Because the distance is so short, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your route utilizes a combination of I-84, US-6, and Center Street to navigate the Northeast corridor. With a fuel cost of just $2, this is an incredibly budget-friendly commute or short-haul excursion. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, the convenience of this connection makes it a straightforward drive. It is an ideal option if you prefer efficiency and minimal time behind the wheel.
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
4.9 miles from Hartford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 70% of your travel taking place on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-84, which includes your longest uninterrupted stretch of 6.1 miles. Transitioning from the interstate onto US-6 and Center Street shifts the pace, moving you from a fast-moving highway environment into local transit. Expect a functional, point-to-point experience rather than a scenic tour, as the road is designed for utility and speed. Staying alert is key during the transition from the high-speed highway segments to the local road network.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 84 and Center Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Broad Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 9.7 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: at 0.1 miles (Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (I 84; US 6): 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.
Turn right onto Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 84
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6 toward I 84 East: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 6 toward US 6, US 44: Middle Turnpike West, Manchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 84 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Center Street | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| US 6 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Middle Turnpike West | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Broad Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Center Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Armory Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hartford, CT and Manchester, CT.
Start on Armory Road
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue
Turn right onto Broad Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 84; US 6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6
Take the exit onto US 6
Turn right onto US 6; US 44
Turn right onto US 6; US 44
Continue on US 6; US 44
Arrive at destination
Since the entire trip lasts only 14 minutes and requires zero planned stops, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily work this drive into any part of your schedule without worrying about lengthy travel logistics or rest breaks. Keep in mind that while the fuel cost is low at $2, traffic patterns on I-84 can vary, so checking real-time conditions before you pull away is a smart move. Because your longest stretch is 6.1 miles on the interstate, be prepared for quick lane changes as you approach your exit for US-6. Enjoy the ease of such a short transit time between these two Connecticut hubs.
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 9.7 miles or 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.9 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manchester, CT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hartford, 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 Hartford, CT
This is one driving day of about 9.7 miles and 14m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.9 mi from Hartford, CT · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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 9.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 4.9 miles from Hartford, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Manchester, 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 Manchester, CT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$1.55 one way
$3.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $1.70 | $3.40 |
| premium | $4.83 | $1.84 | $3.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.16 | $4.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.02 | $0.47 |
| Efficient EV | 2.4 | 0 | $0.85 | $0.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.36 | $0.62 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in Hartford on Sunday
Local time
4:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Manchester on Sunday
Local time
4:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
5 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.
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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