Origin
New Canaan, CT
Afternoon in New Canaan on Thursday
Local time
1:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Canaan, CT to Bristol, CT
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
56.8 mi
91 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Canaan, CT
David Kanigan
Bristol, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from New Canaan, CT to Bristol, CT covers 56.8 miles and takes about 1h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on CT 8, Merritt Parkway, Wolcott Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 22.7 miles on CT 8. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.14 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 56.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 19m highway drive covering 56.8 miles, with most of the trip on CT 8 and Merritt Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 22.7 miles on CT 8.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CT 8 is the longest continuous segment at about 22.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 8 and Merritt Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Park Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 56.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 (Park Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (CT 124 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Park Street
Turn right onto Park Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CT 124 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto CT 124 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
20.7 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward CT 8 North: Waterbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury
8
44.3 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward South Leonard Street, Washington Avenue
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 29
Toward South Leonard Street, Washington Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 8 | 22.7 mi | 28m |
| Merritt Parkway | 17.7 mi | 23m |
| Wolcott Road | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| Wolcott Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| New Norwalk Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Meriden Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Washington Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Stillson Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
CT 8
— 22.7 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Canaan, CT and Bristol, CT.
1
Start on Elm Street
163 ft
·
9 sec
·
Elm Street
2
Turn right onto Park Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Park Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto CT 124
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Main Street
4
Turn left onto CT 106
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
East Avenue
5
Turn right onto CT 123
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
New Norwalk Road
6
Continue on CT 123
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
New Canaan Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto CT 15
18 mi
·
23 min
·
Merritt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 34
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto CT 8
23 mi
·
28 min
·
CT 8
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 29
Toward South Leonard Street, Washington Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on South Leonard Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
South Leonard Street
13
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Washington Avenue
14
At end of road, turn right onto South Main Street
83 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Main Street
15
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
16
Continue on CT 69
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
Silver Street Expressway
17
Continue on CT 69
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Meriden Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn slight left onto CT 69
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Woodtick Road
19
Turn straight onto CT 69
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Stillson Road
20
Turn right onto CT 69
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Wolcott Street
21
Continue on CT 69
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Wolcott Road
22
Continue on CT 69
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Wolcott Street
23
Continue on CT 69
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Street
24
Arrive at destination
CT 69
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.4 mi from New Canaan, CT · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.4 miles from New Canaan, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bristol, CT
The final approach into Bristol, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.14 one way
$18.29 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $10.06 | $20.12 |
| premium | $4.86 | $10.88 | $21.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.54 | $25.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17 | 0 | $5.96 | $2.73 |
| Efficient EV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.97 | $2.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.95 | $3.64 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Bristol, CT
Afternoon in Bristol on Thursday
Local time
1:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
33°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 19m 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 New Canaan, CT to Bristol, CT covers 56.8 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CT 8, Merritt Parkway, Wolcott Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.4 miles from New Canaan, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.14 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 56.8 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (Park Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (CT 124 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from New Canaan, CT to Bristol, CT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Bristol, CT
More from New Canaan, CT
More trips to Bristol, CT
Explore more options from New Canaan, CT or browse trips ending in Bristol, CT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CT road trips.
Explore maps for New Canaan, CT or Bristol, CT on MapSof.net.