Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
49m
Distance
37.7 mi
61 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hartford, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Essex, CT
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Hartford, CT to Essex, CT covers 37.7 miles and takes about 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on CT 9, I 91, West Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 24.6 miles on CT 9. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.07 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 49m. Total distance: 37.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
49m 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 49m highway drive covering 37.7 miles, with most of the trip on CT 9 and I 91. The longest continuous stretch is about 24.6 miles on CT 9.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 9 and I 91. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Capitol Avenue.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 37.7 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (Capitol Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles (I 91): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout toward Bradley International Airport, Springfield, New Haven
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 91
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CT 9 South: Middletown, Old Saybrook
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward CT 154, CT 153: Essex
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hartford, CT to Essex, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Old Saybrook along the way.
Old Saybrook
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 9 | 24.6 mi | 29m |
| I 91 | 9.6 mi | 12m |
| West Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Capitol Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Middlesex Turnpike | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Hudson Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Pratt Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hartford, CT and Essex, CT.
Start on Armory Road
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue
Turn left onto Hudson Street
Enter roundabout
Continue
Merge onto I 91
Take the exit
Merge onto CT 9
Take the exit
Turn left onto CT 154
Turn left onto West Avenue
Continue on West Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
Continue on Main Street
Turn left
Turn left onto Pratt Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.9 mi from Hartford, CT · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 37.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 18.9 miles from Hartford, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Essex, CT if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.07 one way
$12.14 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $6.68 | $13.36 |
| premium | $4.86 | $7.22 | $14.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.32 | $16.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.96 | $1.81 |
| Efficient EV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.30 | $1.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.28 | $2.41 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 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 Hartford on Saturday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Light Rain
Destination
Late night in Essex on Saturday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
42°F
Middletown, CT
19 mi in
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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