This 72.5-mile drive from Stamford to Old Lyme, Connecticut, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 38 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical option for a day trip, requiring no overnight stops. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it a quick and efficient journey through the Northeast region. You'll spend most of your time on I-95, so expect a direct path with minimal detours. This drive is ideal if you're looking for a no-fuss transit between two points in Connecticut.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.3 miles from Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 72.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for 92% of this 72.5-mile journey. The bulk of your travel will be on I-95, offering a consistent pace for the longest stretch of 66.7 miles. While the majority of the drive is on the interstate, you will encounter Forbes Avenue and Long Wharf Drive, which may offer a slight change of pace before or after the main highway segment. This route is designed for efficiency, so the road character remains largely consistent, emphasizing speed and directness over scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 66.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
101 ft14 ft
Total Climb
189 ft
Total Descent
184 ft
Highest Point
101 ft
~36.3 mi in
Elevation Range
87 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Forbes Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Broad Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.3 miles (Long Wharf Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Broad Street
Turn right onto Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
39.1 mi into trip|~54m 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
39.3 mi into trip|~55m in|Long Wharf Drive
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
71.3 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|US 1
Take the exit onto US 1 toward US 1, CT 156: Old Lyme
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 70
Toward US 1, CT 156: Old Lyme
6
72.3 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|Lyme Street
At end of road, turn left onto Lyme Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
66.7 mi
1h 25m
Forbes Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Long Wharf Drive
0.9 mi
2m
Frontage Road
0.7 mi
<1m
Shore Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Grove Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Ferry Road
0.3 mi
1m
Broad Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 66.7 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stamford, CT and Old Lyme, CT.
1
Start on Atlantic Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Atlantic Street
2
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.3 mi·57 sec·Broad Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto Grove Street
0.3 mi·48 sec·Grove Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 95 North: New Haven
5
Merge onto I 95
38 mi·51 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·1 min
Exit 46Toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent DriveUse 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
29 mi·33 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 1
0.2 mi·30 sec·US 1
Exit 70Toward US 1, CT 156: Old Lyme
15
Turn right onto CT 156
0.4 mi·54 sec·Shore Road
16
Turn left onto Ferry Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Ferry Road
17
At end of road, turn left onto Lyme Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·Lyme Street
18
Turn right onto Library Lane
206 ft·14 sec·Library Lane
19
Turn left
33 ft·2 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 38 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility for when to depart on this 72.5-mile trip. Leaving Stamford early in the morning can help you avoid the peak of commuter traffic on I-95. Since there are no suggested stops and the drive is under two hours, planning for fuel and rest is minimal, though it's always wise to have a full tank before heading out. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially around Stamford and New Haven, as I-95 can experience congestion during busy periods.
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 36.3 miles from Stamford, CT, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.7 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.3 miles or 50m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Old Lyme, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Stamford, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Stamford, CT
This is one driving day of about 72.5 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Stamford, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 66.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.3 mi from Stamford, CT
· 50m into the drive
The midpoint is around 36.3 miles from Stamford, 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 66.7 miles.
Arriving in Old Lyme, CT
The final approach into Old Lyme, 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.
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
$11.67 one way
$23.34 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$12.84
$25.68
premium
$4.86
$13.88
$27.77
diesel
$5.61
$16.01
$32.01
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: 25.4 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
21.8
0
$7.61
$3.48
Efficient EV
18.1
0
$6.34
$2.90
EV Truck/SUV
29
0
$10.15
$4.64
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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Stamford, CT
Night
in Stamford on Friday
Local time
9:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Old Lyme, CT
Night
in Old Lyme on Friday
Local time
9:45 PM
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
2 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 38m 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 Stamford, CT to Old Lyme, CT covers 72.5 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Forbes Avenue, Long Wharf Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.3 miles from Stamford, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.67 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 72.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.3 miles (Long Wharf Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Stamford, CT to Old Lyme, CT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 14 ft to 101 ft elevation with about 189 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Weir Farm National Historical Park.
