Origin
Meriden, CT
Late night in Meriden on Wednesday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Meriden, CT to Cos Cob, CT
Data updated 37 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
61.3 mi
99 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Meriden, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Cos Cob, CT
MART PRODUCTION
Trip Overview
This 61.3-mile journey from Meriden, CT, to Cos Cob, CT, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 24 minutes. With 88% of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient travel, making it an ideal day trip. Your estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $10. The entire drive stays within the Northeast region and Connecticut, offering a consistent travel experience. This route is best suited for those looking to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
30.7 miles from Meriden, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience on this 61.3-mile trip, as 88% of your drive will be on major roads like the Wilbur Cross Parkway and I-95. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 23.4 miles on the Wilbur Cross Parkway, providing a solid period of consistent driving. While primarily highway, the route may offer glimpses of the surrounding Connecticut landscape between exits. This drive prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Wilbur Cross Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 23.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 61.3 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 30.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
30.2 mi into trip
|
~40m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward CT 8, CT 108: Bridgeport, Waterbury
6
30.4 mi into trip
|
~40m in
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
Toward CT 8 South, CT 108 South: Bridgeport
7
30.8 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CT 8 South: Bridgeport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward CT 8 South: Bridgeport
7
36.1 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South: New York City
8
59.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Riverside, Old Greenwich
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 5
Toward US 1: Riverside, Old Greenwich
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 Meriden, CT to Cos Cob, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Waterbury along the way.
Waterbury
30.2 mi in
|
~40m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wilbur Cross Parkway | 23.4 mi | 28m |
| I 95 | 23.1 mi | 31m |
| CT 8 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Merritt Parkway | 3 mi | 3m |
| East Putnam Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| South Broad Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Cook Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Colony Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Wilbur Cross Parkway
— 23.4 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meriden, CT and Cos Cob, CT.
1
Start on West Main Street
119 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn left onto CT 71
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cook Avenue
3
Continue on CT 71
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Old Colony Road
4
Turn left onto Hall Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Hall Avenue
5
Turn right onto US 5
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Broad Street
6
Continue on US 5
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Colony Road
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward CT 15 South: New Haven
8
Merge onto CT 15
23 mi
·
28 min
·
Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on CT 15
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Merritt Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 34
Toward CT 8, CT 108: Bridgeport, Waterbury
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward CT 8 South, CT 108 South: Bridgeport
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward CT 8 South: Bridgeport
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto CT 8
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
CT 8
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 95 South: New York City
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 95
23 mi
·
31 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 5
Toward US 1: Riverside, Old Greenwich
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn slight left onto US 1
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Putnam Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Strickland Road
480 ft
·
22 sec
·
Strickland Road
19
Turn right onto Loughlin Avenue
387 ft
·
22 sec
·
Loughlin Avenue
20
Turn left onto Maplewood Drive
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Maplewood Drive
21
Arrive at destination
Maplewood Drive
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 24 minutes, this trip offers flexibility for departure times. Starting early can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Cos Cob area. With a fuel cost estimated at $10, you won't need frequent refueling stops. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 23.4 miles on the Wilbur Cross Parkway, so plan your breaks before or after this segment if needed. Consider packing snacks and drinks, as the route is highway-centric with fewer immediate amenities.
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 30.7 miles from Meriden, CT, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.4 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 61.3 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.7 miles or 41m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cos Cob, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Meriden, 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 Meriden, CT
This is one driving day of about 61.3 miles and 1h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Meriden, 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 Wilbur Cross Parkway for about 23.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.7 mi from Meriden, CT · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 61.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.7 miles from Meriden, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cos Cob, CT
The final approach into Cos Cob, 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 Cos Cob, 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
$9.87 one way
$19.74 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $10.86 | $21.72 |
| premium | $4.86 | $11.74 | $23.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.53 | $27.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.44 | $2.94 |
| Efficient EV | 15.3 | 0 | $5.36 | $2.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.58 | $3.92 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Cos Cob, CT
Late night in Cos Cob on Wednesday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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 24m 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 Meriden, CT to Cos Cob, CT covers 61.3 miles and takes about 1h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wilbur Cross Parkway, I 95, CT 8. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.7 miles from Meriden, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.87 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 16 significant decision points across 61.3 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 30.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Meriden, CT to Cos Cob, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Waterbury along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Explore more options from Meriden, CT or browse trips ending in Cos Cob, CT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CT road trips.
Explore maps for Meriden, CT or Cos Cob, CT on MapSof.net.