Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
49m
Distance
30.7 mi
49 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chester, CT
Wikimedia Commons
New Haven, CT
Wikimedia Commons
This 30.7-mile drive from Chester to New Haven, Connecticut, is a quick 49-minute journey that's perfect for a single day trip. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $5, it's an economical option for exploring the Northeast region. The route primarily uses local roads like Old Toll Road and Foxon Road, offering a more connected driving experience than a typical interstate cruise. Since there are no designated stops, you'll have the flexibility to pull over as needed. This short distance makes it easy to fit into any schedule, whether you're looking for a brief excursion or a component of a larger New England adventure.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Old Toll Road | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| Foxon Road | 7.3 mi | 11m |
| Winthrop Road | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| North Branford Road | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Deep River Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Elm Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Middletown Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Chester, CT and New Haven, CT.
Start on CT 148
Turn left onto Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto CT 154
Continue on CT 154
Turn right onto CT 80
Turn right onto CT 80
Continue on CT 80
Enter roundabout onto CT 80
Continue on CT 80
Continue on CT 80
Enter roundabout onto CT 80
Continue on CT 80
Continue on CT 80
Continue on CT 80
Continue on CT 80
Continue on CT 17; CT 80
Turn right onto Ferry Street
Turn left onto US 5
Turn right onto Warren Place
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 91
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Trumbull Street
Turn left onto Temple Street
Turn right onto Grove Street
Turn sharp left onto College Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 30.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 15.3 miles from Chester, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.4 and 30.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Enter roundabout onto CT 80 / North Branford Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto CT 80 / Old Toll Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto US 5 / State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Trumbull Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn sharp left onto College Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Regular Gas
$4.94 one way
$9.88 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $5.44 | $10.88 |
| premium | $4.86 | $5.88 | $11.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.78 | $13.56 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.51
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$1
Total
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.22 | $1.47 |
| Efficient EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.69 | $1.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.30 | $1.96 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Chester on Tuesday
Local time
6:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Areas Of Fog then Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Morning in New Haven on Tuesday
Local time
6:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Areas Of Fog then Chance Rain Showers
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 49-minute trip, with only a 3% highway share. The road unfolds primarily along Old Toll Road, Foxon Road, and Winthrop Road, meaning you'll be navigating through local communities rather than high-speed thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 7.3 miles on Old Toll Road, so plan for frequent adjustments in speed and direction. This profile suggests a driving experience that keeps you engaged with your surroundings, rather than a monotonous highway commute.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 9.4 miles in near CT 80 / North Branford Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 30.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 9.4 miles (CT 80 / North Branford Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 13.6 miles (CT 80 / Old Toll Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 28.7 miles (US 5 / State Street): Lane positioning matters here.
New Haven is a city in Connecticut that is best known as the home of Yale University.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 49m. Total distance: 30.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (3%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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