Origin
North Stamford, CT
Morning in North Stamford on Wednesday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Stamford, CT to Crystal Lake, CT
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
94 mi
151 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Stamford, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Crystal Lake, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from North Stamford, CT to Crystal Lake, CT covers 94 miles and takes about 2h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Wilbur Cross Parkway, Merritt Parkway, Berlin Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.4 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.13 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
47 miles from North Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 2h 5m highway drive covering 94 miles, with most of the trip on Wilbur Cross Parkway and Merritt Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 30.4 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway.
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 30.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and Merritt Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near CT 15 / Merritt Parkway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 94 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 2.3 miles (CT 15 / Merritt Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.5 miles (I 84; US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
CT 15 / Merritt Parkway
Merge onto CT 15 / Merritt Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
76.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
I 84; US 6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6 toward I 84 East: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 84 East: Boston
8
87.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward CT 31: Rockville, Coventry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67
Toward CT 31: Rockville, Coventry
4
87.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
CT 31 / Reservoir Road
Turn left onto CT 31 / Reservoir Road
Navigation decision point
5
87.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
CT 30 / Hartford Turnpike
Turn right onto CT 30 / Hartford Turnpike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 North Stamford, CT to Crystal Lake, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Coventry along the way.
Coventry
87.2 mi in
|
~1h 52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wilbur Cross Parkway | 30.4 mi | 37m |
| Merritt Parkway | 26.7 mi | 35m |
| Berlin Turnpike | 15.7 mi | 20m |
| I 84 | 12.1 mi | 14m |
| Crystal Lake Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| High Ridge Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Hartford Turnpike | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Stafford Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Wilbur Cross Parkway
— 30.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Stamford, CT and Crystal Lake, CT.
1
Start on Cascade Road
139 ft
·
6 sec
·
Cascade Road
2
Turn straight onto North Stamford Road
475 ft
·
18 sec
·
North Stamford Road
3
Continue on North Stamford Road
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Stamford Road
4
Turn left onto CT 137
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
High Ridge Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
6
Merge onto CT 15
27 mi
·
35 min
·
Merritt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on CT 15
30 mi
·
37 min
·
Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 5; CT 15
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Berlin Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 84; US 6
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 84; US 6
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 84; US 6
Toward I 84 East: Boston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 67
Toward CT 31: Rockville, Coventry
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto CT 31
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Reservoir Road
13
Turn right onto CT 30
275 ft
·
5 sec
·
Hartford Turnpike
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on CT 30
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Hyde Avenue
15
Continue on CT 30
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Hartford Turnpike
16
Continue on CT 30; CT 74
412 ft
·
14 sec
·
Tolland Stage Road
17
Turn left onto CT 30
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Crystal Lake Road
18
Continue on CT 30
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Stafford Road
19
Turn right onto CT 140
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Crystal Lake Road
20
Continue on CT 140
511 ft
·
10 sec
·
Sandy Beach Road
21
Arrive at destination
CT 140
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 47 miles from North Stamford, CT, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.4 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 80 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47 miles or 1h 2m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crystal Lake, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Stamford, 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 North Stamford, CT
This is one driving day of about 94 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from North Stamford, 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 30.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47 mi from North Stamford, CT · 1h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47 miles from North Stamford, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Crystal Lake, CT
The final approach into Crystal Lake, 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 Crystal Lake, 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
$15.13 one way
$30.27 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $16.65 | $33.30 |
| premium | $4.86 | $18.00 | $36.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.75 | $41.51 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.19
Berlin Turnpike
(15.7 mi)
$1.10
Hartford Turnpike
(1.2 mi)
$0.09
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.87 | $4.51 |
| Efficient EV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.23 | $3.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.16 | $6.02 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Crystal Lake, CT
Morning in Crystal Lake on Wednesday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
47 mi in
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
3 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
2h 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 North Stamford, CT to Crystal Lake, CT covers 94 miles and takes about 2h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wilbur Cross Parkway, Merritt Parkway, Berlin Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47 miles from North Stamford, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.13 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 11 significant decision points across 94 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 2.3 miles (CT 15 / Merritt Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.5 miles (I 84; US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from North Stamford, CT to Crystal Lake, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Coventry along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Crystal Lake, CT
Explore more options from North Stamford, CT or browse trips ending in Crystal Lake, CT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CT road trips.
Explore maps for North Stamford, CT or Crystal Lake, CT on MapSof.net.