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Trip from Stamford, CT to Moodus, CT

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

Drive Time

1h 54m

Distance

78.7 mi

127 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 46m ★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 11m
8 PM
1h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States

Stamford, CT

Wikimedia Commons

village and census designated place in East Hampton, Connecticut

Moodus, CT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Stamford, CT to Moodus, CT covers 78.7 miles and takes about 1h 54m 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, CT 8 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.4 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.67 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

39.3 miles from Stamford, CT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 78.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 54m highway drive covering 78.7 miles, with most of the trip on Wilbur Cross Parkway and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 26.4 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 26.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.7 miles you will encounter 19 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 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 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
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
7
57.2 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in

Take the exit toward East Main Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 64B Toward East Main Street
7
57.4 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Industrial Area, Wesleyan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Industrial Area, Wesleyan

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 Moodus, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury, New Haven, Industrial Area and Wesleyan.

Waterbury

21.4 mi in | ~30m

New Haven

25.2 mi in | ~34m | via CT 8

Industrial Area

57.4 mi in | ~1h 16m

Wesleyan

57.4 mi in | ~1h 16m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Wilbur Cross Parkway 26.4 mi 32m
I 95 20.3 mi 27m
CT 8 5 mi 5m
CT 66 5 mi 7m
Portland-Cobalt Road 4.2 mi 7m
Moodus Road 3.5 mi 6m
Merritt Parkway 3 mi 4m
Middle Haddam Road 2.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Wilbur Cross Parkway — 26.4 mi, about 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Stamford, CT and Moodus, 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

26 mi · 32 min · Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 30 sec
Exit 64B Toward East Main Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

247 ft · 7 sec
Toward Industrial Area, Wesleyan
14

Turn slight right onto East Main Street

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 19 sec
16

Merge onto CT 66

5.0 mi · 7 min · CT 66
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Turn left onto CT 3

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Newfield Street
18

Turn right onto Liberty Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Liberty Street
19

Continue on Prospect Street

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Prospect Street
20

Turn right onto Grand Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Grand Street
21

At end of road, turn left onto CT 66

1.0 mi · 2 min · Main Street
22

Take the exit onto CT 17; CT 66

358 ft · 8 sec · CT 17; CT 66
23

Merge onto CT 17; CT 66

0.8 mi · 1 min · Marlborough Street
Use the straight lane.
24

Continue on CT 17; CT 66

4.2 mi · 7 min · Portland-Cobalt Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Turn right onto CT 151

2.5 mi · 4 min · Middle Haddam Road
26

Continue on CT 151

3.5 mi · 6 min · Moodus Road
27

Continue on CT 151

0.8 mi · 1 min · Leesville Road
28

Turn slight left onto CT 151

1.1 mi · 2 min · Moodus Leesville Road
29

Turn slight left onto CT 149; CT 151

0.3 mi · 28 sec · East Haddam Moodus Road
30

Arrive at destination

CT 149

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 39.3 miles from Stamford, CT, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.4 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 17 miles or 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 39.3 miles or 53m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moodus, 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 78.7 miles and 1h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 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 26.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 39.3 mi from Stamford, CT · 53m into the drive

town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hamden, CT

39 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

Fairfield, CT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ansonia, CT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.3 miles from Stamford, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Moodus, CT

The final approach into Moodus, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.67 one way

$25.34 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $13.94 $27.88
premium $4.86 $15.07 $30.14
diesel $5.61 $17.38 $34.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 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 23.6 0 $8.26 $3.78
Efficient EV 19.7 0 $6.89 $3.15
EV Truck/SUV 31.5 0 $11.02 $5.04

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 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

Afternoon in Stamford on Saturday

Local time

1:16 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Moodus, CT

Afternoon in Moodus on Saturday

Local time

1:16 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 54m 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 Moodus, CT covers 78.7 miles and takes about 1h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Wilbur Cross Parkway, I 95, CT 8. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 39.3 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 $12.67 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 78.7 miles you will encounter 19 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 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.

Between Stamford, CT and Moodus, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury, New Haven, Industrial Area and Wesleyan.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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