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Trip from Bethany, CT to Fairfield, CT

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

40m

Distance

29.2 mi

47 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$5

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min
4 AM
0h 37m ★
6 AM
0h 41m
8 AM
0h 48m
10 AM
0h 43m
12 PM
0h 42m
3 PM
0h 43m
5 PM
0h 47m
8 PM
0h 39m

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

town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States

Bethany, CT

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fairfield, CT, CT

Fairfield, CT

David Kanigan

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit across Connecticut, this 29.2-mile drive from Bethany to Fairfield is an ideal choice. Expect to spend about 40 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect candidate for a one-day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Amity Road, the Wilbur Cross Parkway, and CT 8 to complete your journey. With a fuel budget of just $5, this route is highly cost-effective and efficient for commuters or casual travelers. Since both towns are located within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent environment throughout the transition. Overall, this highway-focused drive offers a practical, no-fuss way to reach your destination without the need for complex planning or multiple stops.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Wilbur Cross Parkway 9 mi 11m
Amity Road 6.1 mi 9m
CT 8 4.5 mi 5m
I 95 4.2 mi 5m
Merritt Parkway 3 mi 3m
Mill Plain Road 0.3 mi <1m
Post Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Wilbur Cross Parkway — 9 mi, about 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethany, CT and Fairfield, CT.

1

Start on CT 63

6.1 mi · 9 min · Amity Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
2

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward CT 15 South: New York City
3

Merge onto CT 15

9.0 mi · 11 min · Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Continue on CT 15

3.0 mi · 3 min · Merritt Parkway
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 34 Toward CT 8, CT 108: Bridgeport, Waterbury Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward CT 8 South, CT 108 South: Bridgeport
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward CT 8 South: Bridgeport Use the slight left lane.
8

Merge onto CT 8

4.5 mi · 5 min · CT 8
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 95 South: New York City Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto I 95

4.2 mi · 5 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 21 Toward Mill Plain Road Use the slight right lane.
12

Turn left onto Mill Plain Road

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Mill Plain Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
13

Turn right onto US 1

186 ft · 3 sec · Post Road
14

Arrive at destination

US 1

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 18.2 and 28.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
18.2 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the exit toward CT 8, CT 108: Bridgeport, Waterbury

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 34 Toward CT 8, CT 108: Bridgeport, Waterbury
6
18.4 mi into trip | ~25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CT 8 South, CT 108 South: Bridgeport

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

Toward CT 8 South, CT 108 South: Bridgeport
7
18.9 mi into trip | ~26m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CT 8 South: Bridgeport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward CT 8 South: Bridgeport
7
24.1 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: New York City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 95 South: New York City
7
28.6 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward Mill Plain Road

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 21 Toward Mill Plain Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$4.70 one way

$9.40 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 10 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $5.17 $10.34
premium $4.86 $5.59 $11.18
diesel $5.61 $6.45 $12.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$5

Estimated CO2 emission: 10.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 8.8 0 $3.07 $1.40
Efficient EV 7.3 0 $2.55 $1.17
EV Truck/SUV 11.7 0 $4.09 $1.87

Gas CO2

10 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (70% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Bethany, CT

Late night in Bethany on Sunday

Local time

12:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairfield, CT

Late night in Fairfield on Sunday

Local time

12:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

3 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

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.

What kind of drive is this?

This journey is defined by a highway-focused profile, with 70% of your time spent at higher speeds. You will start by transitioning onto the Wilbur Cross Parkway, which provides your longest uninterrupted stretch of 9 miles. As you progress, the road shifts between the parkway and CT 8, creating a blend of fast-paced transit and local connectivity. While the drive is relatively brief, the varying road types keep the experience from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Expect a steady, functional flow that prioritizes efficiency over scenic diversions, allowing you to cover the distance quickly while staying focused on the road ahead.

70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 9 mi on Wilbur Cross Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and Amity Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 29.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 40m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

595 ft 15 ft

Total Climb

317 ft

Total Descent

897 ft

Highest Point

595 ft

Elevation Range

580 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Bethany, CT to Fairfield, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Waterbury along the way.

Waterbury

18.2 mi in | ~25m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 40m. Total distance: 29.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 9 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Fairfield, CT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Fairfield, CT before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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