Origin
Old Saybrook, CT
Late night in Old Saybrook on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 4:31AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Trip from Old Saybrook, CT to Meriden, CT
Drive Time
47m
Distance
34.4 mi
55 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Photo: MART PRODUCTION
Trip Overview
The drive from Old Saybrook, CT to Meriden, CT covers 34.4 miles and takes about 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on CT 9, Meriden Road, Washington Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 22.1 miles on CT 9. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.51 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
17.2 miles from Old Saybrook, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 47m highway drive covering 34.4 miles, with most of the trip on CT 9 and Meriden Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 22.1 miles on CT 9.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,053 ft
Total Descent
853 ft
Highest Point
423 ft
~28.6 mi in
Elevation Range
409 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 9 and Meriden Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 47m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 24.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 33.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward CT 9 North: Middletown
Navigation decision point
Turn left toward CT 66 West: Middletown
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward Meriden
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Camp Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto Colony Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 9 | 22.1 mi | 26m |
| Meriden Road | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Washington Street | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| I 691 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Middlesex Turnpike | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Boston Post Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Colony Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Old Saybrook, CT and Meriden, CT.
Start on CT 154
Turn right onto US 1; CT 154
Continue on CT 154
Take the ramp
Merge onto CT 9
Turn left
Continue on Washington Street
Continue on CT 66
Continue on I 691
Take the exit
Turn straight onto State Street
Turn right onto Camp Street
At end of road, turn left onto Colony Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
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.
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 34.4 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.2 miles or 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meriden, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
Open the route before leaving Old Saybrook, 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 Old Saybrook, CT
This is one driving day of about 34.4 miles and 47m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.2 mi from Old Saybrook, CT · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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
A short stop after about 34.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.2 miles from Old Saybrook, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Meriden, CT
The final approach into Meriden, 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 Meriden, 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
$5.51 one way
$11.01 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $6.04 | $12.07 |
| premium | $4.83 | $6.54 | $13.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.64 | $15.28 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.11
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
$6
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.61 | $1.65 |
| Efficient EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.01 | $1.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.82 | $2.20 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Local time and weather at both ends of the drive
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Destination
Meriden, CT
Late night in Meriden on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Clear then Areas Of Frost
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 4:31AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
17 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
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
47m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
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