The drive from North Stamford, CT to Danielson, CT covers 120.4 miles and takes about 2h 30m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, I 395, Merritt Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 47.1 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.38 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.2 miles from North Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 120.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 30m highway drive covering 120.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and I 395. The longest continuous stretch is about 47.1 miles on I 95.
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.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 47.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 395. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 120.4 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 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
29 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward I 95, US 1: Milford, New London
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 37
Toward I 95, US 1: Milford, New London
7
30.4 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: New Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 2A
Toward I 95 North: New Haven
8
39.7 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive
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 46
Toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive
6
39.9 mi into trip|~56m in|Long Wharf Drive
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
81.4 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|I 395
Take the exit onto I 395 toward I 395 North: Norwich, Plainfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 76
Toward I 395 North: Norwich, Plainfield
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Stamford, CT and Danielson, CT, road signs point toward New London and Plainfield.
New London
29 mi in|~40m
Plainfield
81.4 mi in|~1h 46m|via I 395
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
47.1 mi
57m
I 395
37.7 mi
41m
Merritt Parkway
26.7 mi
35m
High Ridge Road
1.7 mi
3m
Forbes Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Long Wharf Drive
0.9 mi
2m
Providence Pike
0.8 mi
1m
Frontage Road
0.7 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 47.1 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Stamford, CT and Danielson, 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
Take the exit
1.4 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward I 95, US 1: Milford, New LondonUse the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 2AToward I 95 North: New HavenUse the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 95
9.0 mi·12 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·1 min
Exit 46Toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
0.9 mi·2 min·Long Wharf Drive
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on East Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·East Street
13
Turn right onto US 1
0.1 mi·9 sec·Water Street
14
Continue on US 1
1.2 mi·2 min·Forbes Avenue
15
Turn right onto US 1
0.7 mi·48 sec·Frontage Road
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 North
17
Merge onto I 95
38 mi·44 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto I 395
36 mi·39 min·I 395
Exit 76Toward I 395 North: Norwich, Plainfield
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 395
2.1 mi·2 min·I 395
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 37Toward US 6 West: Danielson, Hartford
21
Merge onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·Providence Pike
22
Continue on Water Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·Water Street
23
Turn right
53 ft·3 sec
24
Arrive at destination
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.2 miles from North Stamford, CT, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.1 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 26 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.2 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Danielson, 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 120.4 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from North Stamford, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 47.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.2 mi from North Stamford, CT
· 1h 22m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 12.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.38 one way
$38.77 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$21.33
$42.65
premium
$4.86
$23.06
$46.11
diesel
$5.61
$26.58
$53.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.1
0
$12.64
$5.78
Efficient EV
30.1
0
$10.54
$4.82
EV Truck/SUV
48.2
0
$16.86
$7.71
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
North Stamford, CT
Morning
in North Stamford on Saturday
Local time
9:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Danielson, CT
Morning
in Danielson on Saturday
Local time
9:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
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.
Road read
2h 30m 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 Danielson, CT covers 120.4 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, I 395, Merritt Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.2 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 $19.38 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 120.4 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 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between North Stamford, CT and Danielson, CT, road signs point toward New London and Plainfield.
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.
