Origin
North Stamford, CT
Morning in North Stamford on Wednesday
Local time
8:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Stamford, CT to Essex, CT
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
71.8 mi
115 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Stamford, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Essex, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from North Stamford, CT to Essex, CT covers 71.8 miles and takes about 1h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Merritt Parkway, Essex Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.7 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.56 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
35.9 miles from North Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 40m highway drive covering 71.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and Merritt Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 31.7 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 28 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 31.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 71.8 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 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.
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.
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 Essex, CT, road signs begin pointing toward New London along the way.
New London
29 mi in
|
~40m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 31.7 mi | 38m |
| Merritt Parkway | 26.7 mi | 35m |
| Essex Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| High Ridge Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Westbrook Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Forbes Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Plains Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Long Wharf Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 31.7 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Stamford, CT and Essex, 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 37
Toward I 95, US 1: Milford, New London
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 2A
Toward I 95 North: New Haven
Use 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 46
Toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive
Use 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
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 65
Toward CT 153: Westbrook
19
Turn left onto CT 153
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Essex Road
20
Continue on CT 153
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Westbrook Road
21
Continue on CT 153
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Plains Road
22
Continue on West Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Avenue
23
Continue on West Avenue
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
West Avenue
24
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
18 ft
·
0 sec
·
Main Street
25
Continue on Main Street
179 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
26
Turn left
120 ft
·
15 sec
27
Turn left onto Pratt Street
113 ft
·
5 sec
·
Pratt Street
28
Arrive at destination
Pratt Street
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 35.9 miles from North Stamford, CT, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.7 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 71.8 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.9 miles or 49m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Essex, 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 71.8 miles and 1h 40m.
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 I 95 for about 31.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.9 mi from North Stamford, CT · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 71.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.9 miles from North Stamford, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Essex, CT
The final approach into Essex, 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 Essex, 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
$11.56 one way
$23.12 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $12.72 | $25.44 |
| premium | $4.86 | $13.75 | $27.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.85 | $31.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.54 | $3.45 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.28 | $2.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.05 | $4.60 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Essex, CT
Morning in Essex on Wednesday
Local time
8:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
14 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
1h 40m 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 Essex, CT covers 71.8 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Merritt Parkway, Essex 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 35.9 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 $11.56 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 17 significant decision points across 71.8 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 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.
On the drive from North Stamford, CT to Essex, CT, road signs begin pointing toward New London along the way.
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