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Trip from Portland, CT to Waterbury, CT

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

36m

Distance

25.2 mi

40 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

6 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 9 min
4 AM
0h 33m ★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 38m
3 PM
0h 39m
5 PM
0h 42m
8 PM
0h 34m

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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Downtown Portland, CT, CT

Portland, CT

MART PRODUCTION

city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States

Waterbury, CT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 25.2-mile drive from Portland, CT, to Waterbury, CT, is a quick trip, likely taking around 36 minutes. Designed as a single-day excursion, it sticks to major arteries like I-691 and I-84, with Meriden Road also playing a role. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $4, making it an economical choice for a short journey within the Northeast region. Its mixed-drive profile means you'll experience both faster highway travel and potentially some local road navigation. This route is ideal for a straightforward commute or a brief inter-city visit without the need for an overnight stay.

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

12.6 miles from Portland, CT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a 60% highway share on this route, primarily utilizing I-691 for a significant stretch of 7.8 miles. The overall profile is a mixed drive, suggesting you'll transition between high-speed interstate conditions and potentially more varied road types as you approach your destination. While not a purely monotonous interstate journey, the focus is on efficient travel between these Connecticut cities. The road will likely feel like a functional corridor, prioritizing directness over scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 691 is the longest continuous segment at about 7.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 25.2 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 0.2 miles (CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (CT 3 / Newfield Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.1 miles (CT 66 / Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

7
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street

At end of road, turn left onto CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
1.9 mi into trip | ~5m in | CT 3 / Newfield Street

At end of road, turn left onto CT 3 / Newfield Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
2.1 mi into trip | ~5m in | CT 66 / Washington Street

Turn right onto CT 66 / Washington Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
16 mi into trip | ~24m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 84 West: Waterbury

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 8B Toward I 84 West: Waterbury
8
24.2 mi into trip | ~34m in

Take the exit toward Meadow Street, Bank Street

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 21 Toward Meadow Street, Bank Street

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 691 7.8 mi 9m
I 84 7.2 mi 9m
Meriden Road 4.2 mi 5m
Washington Street 1.9 mi 3m
Main Street 1.1 mi 2m
Grand Street 0.4 mi 1m
Meadow Street 0.4 mi <1m
West Main Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 691 — 7.8 mi, about 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portland, CT and Waterbury, CT.

1

Start on CT 17; CT 66

162 ft · 3 sec · CT 17; CT 66
2

Merge onto CT 17; CT 66

262 ft · 11 sec · Marlborough Street
3

Continue on CT 17; CT 66

465 ft · 24 sec · Marlborough Street
Use the left lane.
4

At end of road, turn left onto CT 17; CT 66

1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
Use the straight lane.
5

Turn right onto Grand Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Grand Street
6

At end of road, turn left onto Prospect Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Prospect Street
7

Continue on Liberty Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Liberty Street
8

At end of road, turn left onto CT 3

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Newfield Street
9

Turn right onto CT 66

1.9 mi · 3 min · Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Continue on CT 66

4.2 mi · 5 min · Meriden Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 691

7.8 mi · 9 min · I 691
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 8B Toward I 84 West: Waterbury
13

Merge onto I 84

7.2 mi · 9 min · I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec
Exit 21 Toward Meadow Street, Bank Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn right onto Meadow Street

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Meadow Street
16

Turn left onto West Main Street

0.3 mi · 23 sec · West Main Street
17

Arrive at destination

West Main Street

Trip Plan

Given its short 36-minute duration and 25.2-mile length, this route offers great flexibility. You can depart at almost any time without feeling rushed, though avoiding peak commuter hours on I-84 is always advisable. With no recommended stops, the focus is on direct transit, and the $4 fuel cost means you likely won't need a dedicated fuel stop. Keep an eye on your GPS as you transition off the interstates onto Meriden Road, ensuring you stay on the most direct path to Waterbury.

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 12.6 miles from Portland, CT, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.8 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 25.2 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 12.6 miles or 19m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterbury, CT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Portland, 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 Portland, CT

This is one driving day of about 25.2 miles and 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Portland, 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 691 for about 7.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 12.6 mi from Portland, CT · 19m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

13 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

Smithtown, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 12.6 miles from Portland, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Waterbury, CT

The final approach into Waterbury, 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 Waterbury, CT.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Weir Farm National Historical Park

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...

29 mi from route ~73 min detour Free near mile 25.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$4.06 one way

$8.11 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 9 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $4.46 $8.93
premium $4.86 $4.83 $9.65
diesel $5.61 $5.56 $11.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 8.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

6 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Crossroads Cromwell - Tesla Supercharger

Cromwell, CT

Tesla

12 DCFC

Target - Tesla Supercharger

Southington, CT

Tesla

12 DCFC

Dunkin' Donuts - Tesla Supercharger

Meriden, CT

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wesleyan University - High Rise Apartments DCFC

Middletown, CT

FLO

2 DCFC

Wesleyan University - Admissions DCFC

Middletown, CT

FLO

2 DCFC

Wesleyan University - Exley DCFC

Middletown, CT

FLO

2 DCFC

Tesla: 3 FLO: 3

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 7.6 0 $2.65 $1.21
Efficient EV 6.3 0 $2.20 $1.01
EV Truck/SUV 10.1 0 $3.53 $1.61

Gas CO2

9 kg

EV CO2

3 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 data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Portland, CT

Late night in Portland on Wednesday

Local time

12:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waterbury, CT

Late night in Waterbury on Wednesday

Local time

12:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Brookhaven, NY

13 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

1 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

36m 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 Portland, CT to Waterbury, CT covers 25.2 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 691, I 84, Meriden Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.6 miles from Portland, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.06 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 12 significant decision points across 25.2 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 0.2 miles (CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (CT 3 / Newfield Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.1 miles (CT 66 / Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Portland, CT to Waterbury, CT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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