Origin
New Haven, CT
Evening in New Haven on Friday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Haven, CT to Riverside, CT
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
43.3 mi
70 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Haven, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Riverside, CT
David Kanigan
Trip Overview
This straightforward 43.3-mile drive from New Haven to Riverside, Connecticut, is easily manageable in about an hour, making it an ideal day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-95, with brief segments on Spring Street and Washington Avenue. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $7, this highway-focused journey offers a quick and efficient way to travel within the Northeast region. You won't need an overnight stop for this short distance, giving you flexibility in your schedule. Plan for a direct and uncomplicated trip with minimal detours.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 3m. Total distance: 43.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 90% of the drive taking place on I-95. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 38.9 miles on this interstate, offering a consistent pace. While the majority is high-speed driving, you'll encounter short transitions onto local roads like Spring Street and Washington Avenue as you navigate the beginning and end of your trip. This route is designed for efficiency rather than scenic exploration, so settle in for a direct journey with minimal changes in road type.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 38.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Spring Street. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 43.3 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: at 2.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.9 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 South: New York City
Navigation decision point
Toward I 95 South: New York City
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
41.8 mi into trip
|
~58m 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
8
41.9 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
US 1 / East Putnam Avenue
Turn uturn onto US 1 / East Putnam Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
42.6 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
Sound Beach Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Sound Beach Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 38.9 mi | 53m |
| Spring Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Washington Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Sound Beach Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| College Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Owenoke Way | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| East Putnam Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Wesskum Wood Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 38.9 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Haven, CT and Riverside, CT.
1
Start on College Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
College Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn slight right onto Congress Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Congress Avenue
3
Turn left onto Howard Avenue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Howard Avenue
4
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Washington Avenue
5
Turn right onto US 1
482 ft
·
15 sec
·
Columbus Avenue
6
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Avenue
7
Continue on Spring Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Spring Street
8
At end of road, turn left onto Campbell Avenue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Campbell Avenue
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 95 South: New York City
10
Merge onto I 95
39 mi
·
53 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 5
Toward US 1: Riverside, Old Greenwich
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn uturn onto US 1
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
East Putnam Avenue
Use the right lane.
13
Turn right onto Sound Beach Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Sound Beach Avenue
14
Continue on Sound Beach Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Sound Beach Avenue
15
Turn right onto Wesskum Wood Road
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
Wesskum Wood Road
16
Continue on Owenoke Way
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Owenoke Way
17
Arrive at destination
Owenoke Way
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.6 mi from New Haven, CT · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.6 miles from New Haven, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Riverside, CT
The final approach into Riverside, 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
$6.97 one way
$13.94 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $7.67 | $15.34 |
| premium | $4.86 | $8.29 | $16.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.56 | $19.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13 | 0 | $4.55 | $2.08 |
| Efficient EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.79 | $1.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.06 | $2.77 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Riverside, CT
Evening in Riverside on Friday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Fairfield, CT
22 mi in
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
3 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 3m 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 Haven, CT to Riverside, CT covers 43.3 miles and takes about 1h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Spring Street, Washington Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.6 miles from New Haven, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.97 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 43.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.9 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from New Haven, CT to Riverside, CT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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