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Trip from Stamford, CT to Coventry Lake, CT

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

Drive Time

2h 7m

Distance

94.4 mi

152 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 59m ★
6 AM
2h 8m
8 AM
2h 26m
10 AM
2h 14m
12 PM
2h 12m
3 PM
2h 15m
5 PM
2h 25m
8 PM
2h 2m

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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Download GPX
city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States

Stamford, CT

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Coventry Lake, CT, CT

Coventry Lake, CT

David Kanigan

Trip Overview

The drive from Stamford, CT to Coventry Lake, CT covers 94.4 miles and takes about 2h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Wilbur Cross Parkway, I 95, Berlin Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.4 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.20 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

47.2 miles from Stamford, CT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Wilbur Cross Parkway 30.4 mi 37m
I 95 20.3 mi 27m
Berlin Turnpike 15.7 mi 20m
I 384 7.3 mi 8m
CT 8 5 mi 5m
US 44 4 mi 6m
Merritt Parkway 3 mi 4m
Main Street 2.2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Wilbur Cross Parkway — 30.4 mi, about 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Stamford, CT and Coventry Lake, 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 27A Toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury Use 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 6 Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven Use 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 right at fork

1.3 mi · 1 min
Exit 59 Toward I 384 East: Providence Use the slight right lane.
15

Continue on I 384

7.3 mi · 8 min · I 384
16

Continue on US 6; US 44

0.3 mi · 28 sec · US 6; US 44
17

Take the exit onto US 44

4.0 mi · 6 min · US 44
Toward US 44 East: Coventry, Mansfield Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18

Turn right onto CT 31

2.2 mi · 3 min · Main Street
19

Turn right onto Daly Road

0.7 mi · 2 min · Daly Road
20

Turn left onto Bellevue Drive

0.2 mi · 53 sec · Bellevue Drive
21

Turn right onto John Hand Drive

388 ft · 21 sec · John Hand Drive
22

Continue on John Hand Drive

0.1 mi · 33 sec · John Hand Drive
23

Arrive at destination

John Hand Drive

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 47.2 miles from Stamford, CT, or about 1h 3m 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 21 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 47.2 miles or 1h 3m 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 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coventry Lake, 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 94.4 miles and 2h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Stamford, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.

Downtown Meriden, CT, CT

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Meriden, CT

47 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

Stony Brook, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Meriden, CT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.2 miles from Stamford, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

99 Restaurants

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Wallingford, Connecticut

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 54

Hours: 11:30 am–10:30 pm

+12032849989

Visit website

Allegro Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hartford, Connecticut

0.8 mi

Hartford Road Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Manchester, Connecticut

0.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Taste Garden Cafe and Catering

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Trumbull, Connecticut

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+12035028355

Visit website

99 Restaurants

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 54

Wallingford, Connecticut

Hours: 11:30 am–10:30 pm

+12032849989

Visit website

Allegro Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.2

Hartford, Connecticut

Hours: 5:30 am–12 pm

+18602968139

Visit website

Hartford Road Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 80.9

Manchester, Connecticut

Hours: 12 pm–2 am

+18606461044

Visit website

Christo's Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 54

Wallingford, Connecticut

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+12032944626

Visit website

The Corner Cafe MX

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.2

Hartford, Connecticut

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+19592263055

Visit website

Violi's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 60.7

Meriden, Connecticut

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12036394830

Visit website

Sadie's Sunrise Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.4

Berlin, Connecticut

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18608350505

Visit website

Town Line Pizza & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.4

Newington, Connecticut

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+18606671823

Visit website

The Taste Garden Cafe and Catering

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27

Trumbull, Connecticut

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+12035028355

Visit website

TheSpot Cafe'

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 80.9

East Hartford, Connecticut

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+18603102283

Kickstart Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 33.7

Shelton, Connecticut

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+12035132106

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.1 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Stamford, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Stamford, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Greenspot Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Stamford, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Stamford, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Stamford, Connecticut

AmpUp Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Stamford, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

AmpUp Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Stamford, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12035546235

AmpUp Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Stamford, Connecticut

Visit website

Stepping Stones Museum for Children

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 6.7

Norwalk, Connecticut

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12038990606

Visit website

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 27

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+12033946565

Visit website

Hungry Tiger Cafe & Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 80.9

Manchester, Connecticut

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+18606491195

Visit website

Yale University Art Gallery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 40.5

New Haven, Connecticut

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12034320600

Visit website

Montgomery Pinetum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Cos Cob, Connecticut

+12036227824

Visit website

The Mead Visitor Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 40.5

New Haven, Connecticut

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+12034322300

Visit website

CT Audubon Birdcraft Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 20.2

Fairfield, Connecticut

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12032590416

Visit website

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

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 40.5

New Haven, Connecticut

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12038650400

Visit website

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 87.1 — 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
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
8
78.2 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 384 East: Providence

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 59 Toward I 384 East: Providence
7
87.1 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in | US 44

Take the exit onto US 44 toward US 44 East: Coventry, Mansfield

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward US 44 East: Coventry, Mansfield

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.20 one way

$30.39 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $16.72 $33.44
premium $4.86 $18.08 $36.15
diesel $5.61 $20.84 $41.68

Estimated Tolls: $1.10

Berlin Turnpike (15.7 mi) $1.10

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

$15

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 33 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.3 0 $9.91 $4.53
Efficient EV 23.6 0 $8.26 $3.78
EV Truck/SUV 37.8 0 $13.22 $6.04

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 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

1:53 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Coventry Lake, CT

Afternoon in Coventry Lake on Saturday

Local time

1:53 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°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

12 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 7m 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

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 ~26 min detour Free near mile 9.8
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

94.4 mi in 2h 7m, mostly highway — 30.4 mi of that is on Wilbur Cross Parkway.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.4 mi on Wilbur Cross Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and I 95. 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 Effort 9/10

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 94.4 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 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Coventry Lake, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury, New Haven and Mansfield.

Waterbury

21.4 mi in | ~30m

New Haven

25.2 mi in | ~34m | via CT 8

Mansfield

87.1 mi in | ~1h 53m | via US 44

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 94.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 30.4 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.10 in tolls one way, starting with Berlin Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Coventry Lake, CT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Weir Farm National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Coventry Lake, CT before heading back.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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