The drive from Moodus, CT to Stamford, CT covers 79.5 miles and takes about 1h 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on CT 15, I 95, CT 8 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 29.8 miles on CT 15.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.80 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.
Midpoint
39.7 miles from Moodus, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 79.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 55m highway drive covering 79.5 miles, with most of the trip on CT 15 and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 29.8 miles on CT 15.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CT 15 is the longest continuous segment at about 29.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 15 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.1 miles in near CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.5 miles you will encounter 20 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 13.1 miles (CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
13.1 mi into trip|~24m in|CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
21.2 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward I 91 South, CT 15 South: New Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 91 South, CT 15 South: New Haven
7
21.6 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the exit toward CT 15 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17
Toward CT 15 South
7
21.9 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CT 15 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CT 15 South
8
51.8 mi into trip|~1h 16m 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
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 Moodus, CT to Stamford, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Waterbury along the way.
Waterbury
51.8 mi in|~1h 16m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CT 15
29.8 mi
37m
I 95
20.6 mi
28m
CT 8
4.5 mi
5m
Meriden Road
4.2 mi
5m
Portland-Cobalt Road
4.2 mi
7m
Moodus Road
3.5 mi
6m
Middle Haddam Road
2.5 mi
4m
Washington Street
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
CT 15
— 29.8 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Moodus, CT and Stamford, CT.
1
Start on CT 149
0.3 mi·28 sec·East Haddam Moodus Road
2
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 151
1.1 mi·2 min·Moodus Leesville Road
3
Turn straight onto CT 151
0.8 mi·1 min·Leesville Road
4
Continue on CT 151
3.5 mi·6 min·Moodus Road
5
Continue on CT 151
2.5 mi·4 min·Middle Haddam Road
6
Turn left onto CT 66
4.2 mi·7 min·Portland-Cobalt Road
7
Continue on CT 17; CT 66
0.9 mi·2 min·Marlborough Street
Use the straight lane.
8
At end of road, turn left onto CT 17; CT 66
1.1 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto Grand Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Grand Street
10
At end of road, turn left onto Prospect Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Prospect Street
11
Continue on Liberty Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Liberty Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto CT 3
0.1 mi·19 sec·Newfield Street
13
Turn right onto CT 66
1.9 mi·3 min·Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on CT 66
4.2 mi·5 min·Meriden Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 1BToward I 91 South, CT 15 South: New HavenUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 91
0.1 mi·11 sec·I 91
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 17Toward CT 15 SouthUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
437 ft·8 sec
Toward CT 15 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto CT 15
30 mi·37 min·CT 15
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 34Toward CT 8, CT 108: Bridgeport, WaterburyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward CT 8 South, CT 108 South: Bridgeport
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward CT 8 South: BridgeportUse the slight left lane.
23
Merge onto CT 8
4.5 mi·5 min·CT 8
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95 South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto I 95
21 mi·28 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 7Toward CT 137 North: Atlantic StreetUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn straight onto North State Street
0.3 mi·47 sec·North State Street
28
Turn right onto Atlantic Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Atlantic Street
29
Arrive at destination
Atlantic Street
Trip Plan
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 39.7 miles from Moodus, CT, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.8 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 17 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.7 miles or 1h 1m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stamford, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Moodus, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Moodus, CT
This is one driving day of about 79.5 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Moodus, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on CT 15 for about 29.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.7 mi from Moodus, CT
· 1h 1m into the drive
The midpoint is around 39.7 miles from Moodus, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Stamford, CT
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Weir Farm National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Visit the home and studio of America's most beloved Impressionist, J. Alden Weir, and walk in the footsteps of generations of world-class artists. Set amidst more than 60 acres of painterly woods, fie...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 68.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.80 one way
$25.60 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$14.08
$28.16
premium
$4.86
$15.22
$30.45
diesel
$5.61
$17.55
$35.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.8
0
$8.35
$3.82
Efficient EV
19.9
0
$6.96
$3.18
EV Truck/SUV
31.8
0
$11.13
$5.09
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Moodus, CT
Afternoon
in Moodus on Saturday
Local time
1:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Stamford, CT
Afternoon
in Stamford on Saturday
Local time
1:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
W 5 mph1% chanceLive 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
14 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 55m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Moodus, CT to Stamford, CT covers 79.5 miles and takes about 1h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CT 15, 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 39.7 miles from Moodus, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.80 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.5 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.1 miles (CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Moodus, CT to Stamford, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Waterbury along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Weir Farm National Historical Park.
How this page is built
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.
