Stamford to Quinebaug is 120.1 miles and takes about 2h 40m via Wilbur Cross Parkway, I 84, and I 95, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Connecticut, moving from the busy Northeast region up towards the northeastern part of the state. Given its highway-focused profile and manageable duration, this drive is best suited for a single-day excursion. You'll find it to be a practical and efficient journey, perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.1 miles from Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Wilbur Cross Parkway
30.4 mi
37m
I 84
28.3 mi
32m
I 95
20.3 mi
27m
Berlin Turnpike
15.7 mi
20m
Old Turnpike Road
9.8 mi
17m
CT 8
5 mi
5m
Merritt Parkway
3 mi
4m
Bigelow Hollow Road
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Wilbur Cross Parkway
— 30.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stamford, CT and Quinebaug, 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
20 mi·27 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
30 mi·37 min·Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 5; CT 15
16 mi·20 min·Berlin Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 84; US 6
1.4 mi·1 min·I 84; US 6
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6
27 mi·30 min·I 84; US 6
Toward I 84 East: BostonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 73Toward CT 190: Union
16
Turn right onto CT 190
1.9 mi·3 min·Buckley Highway
17
Turn right onto CT 171
2.3 mi·4 min·Bigelow Hollow Road
18
Keep slight left at fork onto CT 197
0.9 mi·1 min·Lawson Road
19
Continue on CT 197
9.8 mi·17 min·Old Turnpike Road
20
Turn right onto CT 131
140 ft·2 sec·Quinebaug Road
21
Arrive at destination
CT 131
Trip Plan
Since this 120.1-mile drive can be completed in under 3 hours, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Stamford, CT, in the morning will get you to Quinebaug with ample daylight remaining. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's a budget-friendly trip, and you'll only have one recommended stop, making it easy to manage. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches on I 84, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstate highways.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.1 miles from Stamford, CT, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.4 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 26 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.1 miles or 1h 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 2h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Quinebaug, 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.
+
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 Stamford, CT
This is one driving day of about 120.1 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Stamford, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Wilbur Cross Parkway for about 30.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 78.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
21.4 mi into trip|~30m 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
6
25.2 mi into trip|~34m in|CT 8
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8 toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
8
27 mi into trip|~37m 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
7
78.2 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|I 84; US 6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6 toward I 84 East: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 84 East: Boston
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.33 one way
$38.67 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$21.27
$42.55
premium
$4.86
$23.00
$46.00
diesel
$5.61
$26.52
$53.03
Estimated Tolls: $1.78
Berlin Turnpike
(15.7 mi)$1.10
Old Turnpike Road
(9.8 mi)$0.68
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
$19
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
12 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Stamford Town Center - Tesla Supercharger
Stamford, CT
Tesla
48 DCFC
Ridgeway Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Stamford, CT
Tesla
12 DCFC
Connecticut Welcome Center - Tesla Supercharger
Darien, CT
Tesla
12 DCFC
Wegmans - Tesla Supercharger
Norwalk, CT
Tesla
12 DCFC
Connecticut Welcome Center - Tesla Supercharger
Darien, CT
Tesla
10 DCFC
Ridgeway Shopping Center (Stamford, CT)
Stamford, CT
Electrify America
8 DCFC
Grand Central Fashion Plaza Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36
0
$12.61
$5.76
Efficient EV
30
0
$10.51
$4.80
EV Truck/SUV
48
0
$16.81
$7.69
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 16, 2026
Origin
Stamford, CT
Afternoon
in Stamford on Saturday
Local time
1:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Quinebaug, CT
Afternoon
in Quinebaug on Saturday
Local time
1:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Kensington, CT
60 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
20 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 40m 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.
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 8.3
From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 107.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey taking place on major roads like the Wilbur Cross Parkway, I 84, and I 95. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a notable 30.4-mile segment on the Wilbur Cross Parkway. While primarily interstate, the transition between these highways offers a consistent driving experience. Expect a smooth, uninterrupted flow for the majority of your trip, making it ideal for covering distance efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 30.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and I 84. 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 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 15 significant decision points across 120.1 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 0.1 miles (Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.2 miles (CT 8): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Stamford, CT and Quinebaug, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury and New Haven.
Waterbury
21.4 mi in|~30m
New Haven
25.2 mi in|~34m|via CT 8
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 120.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Stamford, CT to Quinebaug, CT covers 120.1 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wilbur Cross Parkway, I 84, I 95. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.1 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 $19.33 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 120.1 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 0.1 miles (Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.2 miles (CT 8): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Stamford, CT and Quinebaug, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury and New Haven.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
