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Trip from Norwalk, CT to New London, CT

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 44m

Distance

78.5 mi

126 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 36m ★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 39m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States

Norwalk, CT

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown New London, CT, CT

New London, CT

MART PRODUCTION

Trip Overview

The drive from Norwalk, CT to New London, CT covers 78.5 miles and takes about 1h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 95, Broad Street, Forbes Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.5 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.64 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.

Midpoint

39.2 miles from Norwalk, CT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 78.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 44m highway drive covering 78.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and Broad Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 71.5 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 19 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 71.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Broad Street. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 95 North: New Haven

Navigation decision point

Toward I 95 North: New Haven
5
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
31.2 mi into trip | ~42m 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
31.4 mi into trip | ~44m in | Long Wharf Drive

Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
76.1 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in

Take the exit toward CT 85: Broad Street, Waterford

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 82 Toward CT 85: Broad Street, Waterford

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 71.5 mi 1h 30m
Broad Street 2 mi 3m
Forbes Avenue 1.2 mi 2m
Long Wharf Drive 0.9 mi 2m
East Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
Frontage Road 0.7 mi <1m
East Street 0.1 mi <1m
Water Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 71.5 mi, about 1h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Norwalk, CT and New London, 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

30 mi · 40 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 1 min
Exit 46 Toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive

0.9 mi · 2 min · Long Wharf Drive
Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on East Street

0.1 mi · 16 sec · East Street
9

Turn right onto US 1

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Water Street
10

Continue on US 1

1.2 mi · 2 min · Forbes Avenue
11

Turn right onto US 1

0.7 mi · 48 sec · Frontage Road
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 95 North
13

Merge onto I 95

41 mi · 49 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Exit 82 Toward CT 85: Broad Street, Waterford
15

Turn right onto CT 85

2.0 mi · 3 min · Broad Street
Use the right lane.
16

Turn right onto Meridian Street

335 ft · 17 sec · Meridian Street
17

Turn right onto State Street

289 ft · 11 sec · State Street
18

Turn right onto Huntington Street

166 ft · 5 sec · Huntington Street
19

Arrive at destination

Huntington 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 39.2 miles from Norwalk, CT, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.5 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 17 miles or 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 39.2 miles or 55m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New London, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Norwalk, CT

This is one driving day of about 78.5 miles and 1h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Norwalk, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 71.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 39.2 mi from Norwalk, CT · 55m into the drive

city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Milford, CT

39 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

Milford, CT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

East Haven, CT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.2 miles from Norwalk, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.5 miles.

Arriving in New London, CT

The final approach into New London, CT usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Muddy Waters Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New London, Connecticut

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78.5

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18604442232

Visit website

Sunrise Cafe NL

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New London, Connecticut

0.3 mi

The Guilford Bistro & Grille Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Guilford, Connecticut

0.5 mi

Muddy Waters Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78.5

New London, Connecticut

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18604442232

Visit website

Sunrise Cafe NL

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78.5

New London, Connecticut

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+18604373444

The Guilford Bistro & Grille Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 44.9

Guilford, Connecticut

Hours: 11:30 am–8:30 pm

+12034530736

Visit website

Paperback Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.7

Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18603889718

Visit website

On The Waterfront Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 78.5

New London, Connecticut

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+18604442800

Visit website

Cafe Allegre

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $30 to $50 mile 50.5

Madison, Connecticut

Hours: 4–9 pm

+12032457773

Visit website

Turtle Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 56.1

Westbrook, Connecticut

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18603991799

Caffè Toscana

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.7

Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18603881270

The Taste Garden Cafe and Catering

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 16.8

Trumbull, Connecticut

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+12035028355

Visit website

Cross Sound Lighthouse Cruises

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 78.5

New London, Connecticut

+18604444620

Visit website

Stepping Stones Museum for Children

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Norwalk, Connecticut

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12038990606

Visit website

Milford Green

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 22.4

Milford, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Ferry Landing State Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 61.7

Old Lyme, Connecticut

+18604243000

Visit website

Rocky Neck State Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 67.3

Niantic, Connecticut

+18607395471

Visit website

Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center (formerly Knights of Columbus Museum)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 33.6

New Haven, Connecticut

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12038650400

Visit website

Connecticut Air & Space Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 16.8

Stratford, Connecticut

Hours: Closed

+12033451559

Visit website

The Mead Visitor Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 33.6

New Haven, Connecticut

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+12034322300

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.64 one way

$25.27 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $13.90 $27.81
premium $4.86 $15.03 $30.06
diesel $5.61 $17.33 $34.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.6 0 $8.24 $3.77
Efficient EV 19.6 0 $6.87 $3.14
EV Truck/SUV 31.4 0 $10.99 $5.02

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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 18, 2026

Origin

Norwalk, CT

Morning in Norwalk on Saturday

Local time

7:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New London, CT

Morning in New London on Saturday

Local time

7:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy

NE 2 to 6 mph 27% chance 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

4 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

1h 44m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 New London, CT covers 78.5 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 95, Broad Street, Forbes Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 39.2 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 $12.64 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Norwalk, CT to New London, CT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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