Origin
West Haven, CT
Evening in West Haven on Sunday
Local time
8:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Haven, CT to East Haven, CT
Drive Time
12m
Distance
6.7 mi
11 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 11m
★
6 AM
0h 12m
8 AM
0h 15m
10 AM
0h 13m
12 PM
0h 13m
3 PM
0h 13m
5 PM
0h 14m
8 PM
0h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Haven, CT
David Kanigan
East Haven, CT
David Kanigan
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick hop across the Connecticut coastline, this 6.7-mile trip between West Haven and East Haven is as straightforward as it gets. Expect to spend about 12 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day journey that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Forbes Avenue, Sargent Drive, and Frontage Road to complete the transit. With a fuel cost estimate of just $1, it is an incredibly budget-friendly way to move through the Northeast. Since both towns are located within the same state, you can anticipate a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. This route is best viewed as a practical local connection rather than a traditional road trip destination.
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
3.4 miles from West Haven, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate through the urban landscape. Only about 7% of your travel time will be spent on highways, meaning you will be dealing with surface streets for the vast majority of the 12-minute duration. You will find that the longest uninterrupted stretch lasts just 1.2 miles while traveling along Forbes Avenue. Because the route relies so heavily on local roads, you should prepare for frequent adjustments rather than a monotonous interstate grind. The environment changes rapidly as you transition between these two municipalities, keeping the driving experience engaging despite the short total distance.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Forbes Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 1.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Elm Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 6.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.4 miles (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (Sea Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (Sea Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Elm Street
Turn right onto Elm Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Sea Street
Turn right onto Sea Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Sea Street
Enter roundabout onto Sea Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Howard Avenue
Turn left onto Howard Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Fifth Street
Turn right onto Fifth Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Forbes Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Sargent Drive | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Frontage Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Elm Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Water Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Saltonstall Parkway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Washington Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Hemingway Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Forbes Avenue
— 1.2 mi, about 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Haven, CT and East Haven, CT.
1
Start on Washington Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Avenue
2
Turn right onto Elm Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
Use the none lane.
3
Continue on Kimberly Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Kimberly Avenue
4
Turn right onto Ella T. Grasso Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Ella T. Grasso Boulevard
5
Turn right onto Sea Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Sea Street
Use the none lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto Sea Street
105 ft
·
1 sec
·
Sea Street
7
Continue on Sea Street
511 ft
·
15 sec
·
Sea Street
8
Turn left onto Howard Avenue
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Howard Avenue
9
Turn right onto Fifth Street
382 ft
·
8 sec
·
Fifth Street
10
Continue on Sargent Drive
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Sargent Drive
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on Brewery Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Brewery Street
12
Turn right onto US 1
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Water Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 1
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Forbes Avenue
14
Turn right onto US 1
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Frontage Road
15
Continue on US 1
446 ft
·
9 sec
·
Frontage Road
16
Continue on US 1
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Saltonstall Parkway
Use the none lane.
17
Turn right onto CT 142
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Hemingway Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Hemingway Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is such a brief 6.7-mile trip, you have maximum flexibility in your departure timing, allowing you to easily work the drive into your existing schedule. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the duration is short enough to drive straight through without fatigue. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route means you should stay alert for navigation changes, especially when switching between Frontage Road and Sargent Drive. Given the low fuel cost of $1, you can easily top off your tank before you leave without impacting your travel budget. My best advice is to account for potential traffic on local roads, as the short duration means even minor delays can impact your arrival time.
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 3.4 miles from West Haven, CT, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 1.2 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 6.7 miles or 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.4 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Haven, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Haven, 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 West Haven, CT
This is one driving day of about 6.7 miles and 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from West Haven, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Forbes Avenue for about 1.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.4 mi from West Haven, CT · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
3 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 6.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 3.4 miles from West Haven, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in East Haven, CT
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.07 one way
$2.15 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
2 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $1.18 | $2.35 |
| premium | $4.83 | $1.27 | $2.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.49 | $2.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2 | 0 | $0.70 | $0.32 |
| Efficient EV | 1.7 | 0 | $0.59 | $0.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.7 | 0 | $0.94 | $0.43 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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.
Destination
East Haven, CT
Evening in East Haven on Sunday
Local time
8:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
3 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
15 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
12m 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 West Haven, CT to East Haven, CT covers 6.7 miles and takes about 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Forbes Avenue, Sargent Drive, Frontage Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.4 miles from West Haven, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.07 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 6.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.4 miles (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (Sea Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (Sea Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from West Haven, CT to East Haven, CT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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