If you are looking for a straightforward trip across Connecticut, this 78.3-mile journey from Bridgeport to Lebanon is an efficient choice. You can comfortably complete the drive in about 1 hour and 42 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the trek, which relies heavily on a combination of the Wilbur Cross Parkway, I-91, and CT-2. Since the entire route stays within the Northeast region, you won't experience drastic shifts in terrain or climate. This highway-focused path provides a practical way to connect the coast to the more inland areas of the state. It is a no-nonsense route for travelers who value speed and direct navigation over scenic detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.1 miles from Bridgeport, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Wilbur Cross Parkway
27 mi
33m
I 91
13.6 mi
15m
CT 2
10.6 mi
12m
Exeter Road
7.1 mi
12m
CT 8
4.5 mi
5m
Merritt Parkway
3 mi
4m
West Main Street
3 mi
3m
Hebron Road
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Wilbur Cross Parkway
— 27 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bridgeport, CT and Lebanon, CT.
1
Start on CT 130
0.3 mi·32 sec·Fairfield Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward CT 8, CT 25 North: Trumbull, Waterbury
3
Merge onto CT 8; CT 25
2.7 mi·2 min·CT 8; CT 25
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8
1.8 mi·2 min·CT 8
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 6Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New HavenUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto CT 15
3.0 mi·4 min·Merritt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on CT 15
27 mi·33 min·Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 65AToward I 91 North, CT 66 East: Hartford, MiddletownUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 91
14 mi·15 min·I 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 25-26Toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury, Old WethersfieldUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 25Toward CT 3 North: GlastonburyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto CT 3
1.9 mi·2 min·CT 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 13 CToward CT 2 East: NorwichUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto CT 2
0.4 mi·33 sec·CT 2
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 2
10 mi·11 min·CT 2
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 15Toward CT 66: Willimantic, MiddletownUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
178 ft·11 sec
Toward CT 66 East: Hebron, Willimantic
18
Turn left onto CT 66
520 ft·6 sec·East Hampton Road
19
Continue on CT 66
2.2 mi·2 min·Hebron Road
20
Continue on CT 66
3.0 mi·3 min·West Main Street
21
Turn right onto CT 85
1.8 mi·3 min·Church Street
22
Turn left onto CT 207
0.8 mi·1 min·Lebanon Road
23
Continue on CT 207
7.1 mi·12 min·Exeter Road
24
Arrive at destination
CT 207
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. You won't need to worry about scheduling overnight stops, as the 1 hour and 42-minute duration is manageable in one go. Since there are no designated stops included in the route data, make sure to fuel up before you leave to keep that $13 estimate accurate. Keep a close eye on the transition between the Wilbur Cross Parkway and the interstate system, as these interchanges are where you will likely encounter the most congestion. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by hitting the road early to avoid peak-hour backups on the main highways.
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 39.1 miles from Bridgeport, CT, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.1 miles or 49m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lebanon, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bridgeport, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bridgeport, CT
This is one driving day of about 78.3 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Bridgeport, 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 27 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 5 and 52.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5 mi into trip|~6m 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
35.7 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward I 91 North, CT 66 East: Hartford, Middletown
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 65A
Toward I 91 North, CT 66 East: Hartford, Middle...
8
49.7 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury, Old Wethersfield
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 25-26
Toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury, Old Wethersfiel...
9
49.9 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury
8
52.1 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CT 2 East: Norwich
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13 C
Toward CT 2 East: Norwich
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.61 one way
$25.21 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$13.87
$27.74
premium
$4.86
$14.99
$29.99
diesel
$5.61
$17.29
$34.58
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: 27.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.5
0
$8.22
$3.76
Efficient EV
19.6
0
$6.85
$3.13
EV Truck/SUV
31.3
0
$10.96
$5.01
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Bridgeport, CT
Morning
in Bridgeport on Tuesday
Local time
6:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lebanon, CT
Morning
in Lebanon on Tuesday
Local time
6:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
16 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
1h 42m 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
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 2.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by efficiency, as 77% of this journey is spent on major highways. You will spend your first significant block of time on the Wilbur Cross Parkway, which offers the longest uninterrupted stretch of 27 miles. As you transition from the parkway onto I-91 and eventually CT-2, the character of the road remains consistent with high-speed travel. While the route is highway-focused, the progression from the Bridgeport area toward Lebanon keeps you moving steadily through the state. You won't find many technical local roads here, so prepare for a driving experience centered on maintaining a steady pace across Connecticut’s primary arteries.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27 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 I 91. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.3 miles you will encounter 18 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 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.7 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 Bridgeport, CT and Lebanon, CT, road signs point toward New Haven, Middletown, Old Wethersfield and Willimantic.
New Haven
5 mi in|~6m
Middletown
35.7 mi in|~45m
Old Wethersfield
49.7 mi in|~1h 1m
Willimantic
63.2 mi in|~1h 19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 78.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27 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 Lebanon, 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 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.7 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 Lebanon, CT before heading back.
