Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
44.1 mi
71 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Photo: David Kanigan
The drive from North Stamford, CT to East Haven, CT covers 44.1 miles and takes about 1h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Merritt Parkway, I 95, High Ridge Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.7 miles on Merritt Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.06 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
22 miles from North Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 31m into the drive .
This is a 1h 3m highway drive covering 44.1 miles, with most of the trip on Merritt Parkway and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 26.7 miles on Merritt Parkway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Merritt Parkway and I 95. 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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 44.1 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 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto CT 15 / Merritt Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward I 95 North: New Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from North Stamford, CT to East Haven, CT, road signs begin pointing toward New London along the way.
New London
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Merritt Parkway | 26.7 mi | 35m |
| I 95 | 9 mi | 12m |
| High Ridge Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Forbes Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Frontage Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Long Wharf Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Saltonstall Parkway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Stamford Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between North Stamford, CT and East Haven, CT.
Start on Cascade Road
Turn straight onto North Stamford Road
Continue on North Stamford Road
Turn left onto CT 137
Take the ramp
Merge onto CT 15
Take the exit
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
Continue on East Street
Turn right onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Turn right onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Turn right onto CT 142
Arrive at destination
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.
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 44.1 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22 miles or 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Haven, CT than in the middle of the route.
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 44.1 miles and 1h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22 mi from North Stamford, 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.
A short stop after about 44.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 22 miles from North Stamford, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into East Haven, 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 East Haven, CT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.06 one way
$14.12 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $7.74 | $15.48 |
| premium | $4.83 | $8.38 | $16.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.80 | $19.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.63 | $2.12 |
| Efficient EV | 11 | 0 | $3.86 | $1.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.17 | $2.82 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in North Stamford on Saturday
Local time
6:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in East Haven on Saturday
Local time
6:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
52°F
Smithtown, NY
22 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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