Origin
New London, CT
Late night in New London on Friday
Local time
1:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New London, CT to Meriden, CT
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
48.9 mi
79 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 16m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New London, CT
MART PRODUCTION
Meriden, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from New London, CT to Meriden, CT covers 48.9 miles and takes about 1h 5m 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 95, Meriden Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 23.3 miles on CT 9. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.87 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 48.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 5m highway drive covering 48.9 miles, with most of the trip on CT 9 and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 23.3 miles on CT 9.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CT 9 is the longest continuous segment at about 23.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 9 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
2.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
15.5 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 69
Toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
7
15.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
7
47.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward Meriden
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2B
Toward Meriden
5
48.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
Colony Street
At end of road, turn left onto Colony Street
Navigation decision point
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 New London, CT to Meriden, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Hartford along the way.
Hartford
15.5 mi in
|
~20m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 9 | 23.3 mi | 27m |
| I 95 | 13.2 mi | 16m |
| Meriden Road | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Washington Street | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| Broad Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| I 691 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Colony Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CT 9
— 23.3 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New London, CT and Meriden, CT.
1
Start on Huntington Street
52 ft
·
9 sec
·
Huntington Street
2
Turn left onto Broad Street
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Broad Street
3
Continue on CT 85
505 ft
·
17 sec
·
Hartford Turnpike
Use the left lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 95
13 mi
·
16 min
·
I 95
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 69
Toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
8
Continue on CT 9
23 mi
·
27 min
·
CT 9
9
Turn left
150 ft
·
3 sec
Toward CT 66 West: Middletown
10
Continue on Washington Street
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on CT 66
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Meriden Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 691
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 691
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 2B
Toward Meriden
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto State Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
State Street
15
Turn right onto Camp Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Camp Street
16
At end of road, turn left onto Colony Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Colony Street
17
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
West Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.4 mi from New London, CT · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.4 miles from New London, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Meriden, CT
The final approach into Meriden, 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
$7.87 one way
$15.74 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $8.66 | $17.32 |
| premium | $4.86 | $9.36 | $18.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.80 | $21.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.13 | $2.35 |
| Efficient EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.28 | $1.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.85 | $3.13 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Meriden, CT
Late night in Meriden on Friday
Local time
1:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Middletown, CT
24 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 5m 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 London, CT to Meriden, CT covers 48.9 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CT 9, I 95, Meriden 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 24.4 miles from New London, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.87 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from New London, CT to Meriden, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Hartford along the way.
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