Norwalk, CT to Hampton, CT is 103 miles and takes about 2 hours 11 minutes via Wilbur Cross Parkway and I-91, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Connecticut, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a drive that is predominantly highway, making it a straightforward and efficient journey. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.5 miles from Norwalk, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 102.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 74% of the drive taking place on faster roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Wilbur Cross Parkway and I-91, which are designed for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 27 miles on the Wilbur Cross Parkway, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While primarily highway, expect some shifts in road type as you navigate through different sections of Connecticut. The overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 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 27 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and I 91. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.4 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 22 significant decision points across 102.9 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 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
13.4 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 27A
Toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury
8
19 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
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 6
Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
8
49.8 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 91 North, CT 66 East: Hartford, Middletown
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 65A
Toward I 91 North, CT 66 East: Hartford, Middle...
8
63.7 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury, Old Wethersfield
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 25-26
Toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury, Old Wethersfiel...
9
63.9 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Norwalk, CT and Hampton, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury, New Haven, Middletown, Old Wethersfield and Willimantic.
Waterbury
13.4 mi in|~18m
New Haven
17.3 mi in|~23m|via CT 8
Middletown
49.8 mi in|~1h 4m
Old Wethersfield
63.7 mi in|~1h 21m
Willimantic
77.3 mi in|~1h 38m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Wilbur Cross Parkway
27 mi
33m
I 91
13.6 mi
15m
Middletown Road
12.7 mi
16m
I 95
12.4 mi
16m
CT 2
10.6 mi
12m
CT 8
5 mi
5m
Merritt Parkway
3 mi
4m
West Main Street
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Wilbur Cross Parkway
— 27 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norwalk, CT and Hampton, CT.
1
Start on East Avenue
272 ft·12 sec·East Avenue
2
Continue on East Avenue
267 ft·6 sec·East Avenue
3
Continue on East Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·East Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 95 North: New Haven
5
Merge onto I 95
12 mi·16 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 27AToward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, WaterburyUse the right lane.
7
Continue on CT 8; CT 25
3.2 mi·3 min·CT 8; CT 25
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8
1.8 mi·2 min·CT 8
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 6Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New HavenUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto CT 15
3.0 mi·4 min·Merritt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CT 15
27 mi·33 min·Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 65AToward I 91 North, CT 66 East: Hartford, MiddletownUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 91
14 mi·15 min·I 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 25-26Toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury, Old WethersfieldUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 25Toward CT 3 North: GlastonburyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto CT 3
1.9 mi·2 min·CT 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 13 CToward CT 2 East: NorwichUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto CT 2
0.4 mi·33 sec·CT 2
19
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 2
10 mi·11 min·CT 2
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 15Toward CT 66: Willimantic, MiddletownUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
178 ft·11 sec
Toward CT 66 East: Hebron, Willimantic
22
Turn left onto CT 66
520 ft·6 sec·East Hampton Road
23
Continue on CT 66
2.2 mi·2 min·Hebron Road
24
Continue on CT 66
3.0 mi·3 min·West Main Street
25
Continue on CT 66
1.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
26
Continue on CT 66
13 mi·16 min·Middletown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on US 6
1.5 mi·1 min·Willimantic Road
28
Continue on US 6
1.9 mi·2 min·Hampton Road
29
Continue on US 6
1.4 mi·1 min·Hartford Turnpike
30
Turn left onto West Old Route 6
1.1 mi·2 min·West Old Route 6
31
Keep slight left at fork onto West Old Route 6
87 ft·3 sec·West Old Route 6
32
Turn left onto CT 97
0.1 mi·15 sec·Main Street
33
Turn right onto East Old Route 6
77 ft·2 sec·East Old Route 6
34
Arrive at destination
East Old Route 6
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short, 103-mile drive taking just over 2 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Norwalk, CT in the morning, perhaps after the initial rush hour, will allow for a smooth start. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, you won't need to worry too much about frequent stops for gas. Keep an eye on I-91 for any potential traffic delays, especially if traveling during peak commuting times. A good tip for this route is to utilize the Wilbur Cross Parkway's express lanes when available for optimal travel time.
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 51.5 miles from Norwalk, CT, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 23 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.5 miles or 1h 7m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hampton, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, CT
This is one driving day of about 102.9 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Norwalk, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Wilbur Cross Parkway for about 27 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.5 mi from Norwalk, CT
· 1h 7m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.98 one way
$31.96 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$18.06
$36.11
premium
$4.86
$19.68
$39.36
diesel
$6.00
$24.29
$48.59
Estimated Tolls: $0.10
Hartford Turnpike
(1.4 mi)$0.10
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
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36 kg one way.
EV Charging Along Route
12 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Bridgeport - Tesla Supercharger
Bridgeport, CT
Tesla
16 DCFC
Wegmans - Tesla Supercharger
Norwalk, CT
Tesla
12 DCFC
Fairfield NB - Tesla Supercharger
Fairfield, CT
Tesla
12 DCFC
Fairfield Centre Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Fairfield, CT
Tesla
12 DCFC
Connecticut Welcome Center - Tesla Supercharger
Darien, CT
Tesla
10 DCFC
Fairfield SB - Tesla Supercharger
Fairfield, CT
Tesla
8 DCFC
I-95 Darien NB Service Plaza
Darien, CT
APPLEGREEN
4 DCFC
MARITIME CHEVROLET
FAIRFIELD, CT
EV Connect
3 DCFC
Tesla: 6
APPLEGREEN: 4
EV Connect: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.9
0
$10.80
$4.94
Efficient EV
25.7
0
$9.00
$4.12
EV Truck/SUV
41.2
0
$14.41
$6.59
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Norwalk, CT
Morning
in Norwalk on Saturday
Local time
10:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hampton, CT
Morning
in Hampton on Saturday
Local time
10:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°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
15 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 11m 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 Norwalk, CT to Hampton, CT covers 102.9 miles and takes about 2h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wilbur Cross Parkway, I 91, Middletown 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 51.5 miles from Norwalk, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.98 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 22 significant decision points across 102.9 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 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Norwalk, CT and Hampton, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury, New Haven, Middletown, Old Wethersfield and Willimantic.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
