Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
43.5 mi
70 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Photo: David Kanigan
The drive from Stamford, CT to East Haven, CT covers 43.5 miles and takes about 1h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Forbes Avenue, Frontage Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.1 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.96 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
21.7 miles from Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
This is a 1h 2m highway drive covering 43.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and Forbes Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.1 miles on I 95.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Forbes Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Broad Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 2m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 95 North: New Haven
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 38.1 mi | 51m |
| Forbes Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Frontage Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Long Wharf Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Saltonstall Parkway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Grove Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Broad Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Hemingway Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Stamford, CT and East Haven, CT.
Start on Atlantic Street
Turn right onto Broad Street
Turn right onto Grove Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
Continue on East Street
Turn right onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Turn right onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Turn right onto CT 142
Arrive at destination
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 43.5 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.7 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Haven, CT than in the middle of the route.
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 43.5 miles and 1h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.7 mi from Stamford, CT · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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.
A short stop after about 43.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 21.7 miles from Stamford, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into East Haven, 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 East Haven, CT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.96 one way
$13.93 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $7.63 | $15.27 |
| premium | $4.83 | $8.27 | $16.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.66 | $19.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13 | 0 | $4.57 | $2.09 |
| Efficient EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.81 | $1.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.09 | $2.78 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Stamford on Saturday
Local time
6:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in East Haven on Saturday
Local time
6:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
52°F
Smithtown, NY
22 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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