Origin
Clinton, CT
Late night in Clinton on Tuesday
Local time
4:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clinton, CT to New Britain, CT
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
51m
Distance
34 mi
55 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 51m
8 AM
1h 0m
10 AM
0h 54m
12 PM
0h 53m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
0h 59m
8 PM
0h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clinton, CT
Wikimedia Commons
New Britain, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Clinton to New Britain, you are looking at a straightforward 34-mile journey that typically takes about 51 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, making it an efficient connection between these two Connecticut locations. With an estimated fuel cost of just $5, it is an economical route that requires no overnight stops. You will primarily navigate via CT 9, Higganum Road, and Killingworth Road throughout the transit. Because the trip is short and simple, it offers great flexibility for your schedule, whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick visit.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 9 | 17.9 mi | 22m |
| Higganum Road | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Killingworth Road | 4 mi | 6m |
| Killingworth Turnpike | 3 mi | 5m |
| Clinton Road | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| South Main Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| High Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Hull Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CT 9
— 17.9 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, CT and New Britain, CT.
1
Start on US 1
112 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn right onto CT 81
483 ft
·
11 sec
·
Hull Street
3
Turn right onto CT 81
228 ft
·
5 sec
·
Central Avenue
4
Continue on CT 81
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
5
Continue on CT 81
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Killingworth Turnpike
6
Continue on CT 81
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Clinton Road
7
Enter roundabout onto CT 81
143 ft
·
2 sec
·
Higganum Road
8
Continue on CT 81
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Higganum Road
9
Continue on CT 81
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Killingworth Road
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward CT 9 North
11
Merge onto CT 9
18 mi
·
22 min
·
CT 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 1
Toward CT 71: Kensington
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto CT 71
241 ft
·
4 sec
·
New Britain Road
15
Continue on CT 71
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
16
Turn right
195 ft
·
21 sec
17
Turn left onto Whiting Street
154 ft
·
4 sec
·
Whiting Street
18
Arrive at destination
Whiting Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17 miles from Clinton, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 32.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CT 81 / Hull Street
Turn right onto CT 81 / Hull Street
Navigation decision point
5
6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
CT 81 / Higganum Road
Enter roundabout onto CT 81 / Higganum Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
14.5 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
CT 9
Merge onto CT 9
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
32.4 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
32.8 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward CT 71: Kensington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1
Toward CT 71: Kensington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.47 one way
$10.95 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $6.02 | $12.04 |
| premium | $4.86 | $6.51 | $13.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.51 | $15.01 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.21
Killingworth Turnpike
(3 mi)
$0.21
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$0
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.57 | $1.63 |
| Efficient EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.97 | $1.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.76 | $2.18 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
New Britain, CT
Late night in New Britain on Tuesday
Local time
4:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Middletown, CT
17 mi in
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
18 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
51m 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 highway-focused drive balances fast-paced transit with local road navigation. With approximately 61% of your journey spent on highways, you can expect a relatively steady pace for most of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 17.9 miles on CT 9, providing a consistent driving experience before you transition onto smaller roads. As you move away from the coast toward New Britain, the road character shifts from the primary state highway to the more localized feel of Killingworth and Higganum roads. It is a functional, efficient drive that minimizes the stress of long-haul travel.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17.9 mi on CT 9.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 9 and Higganum Road. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CT 81 / Hull Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 34 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (CT 81 / Hull Street): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles (CT 81 / Higganum Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.5 miles (CT 9): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in New Britain, CT
Full guide →Founded 1850
New Britain is a city in Connecticut. The "Hardware City" is the official nickname of the city.
Top landmarks
- • New Britain Museum of American Art — art museum in New Britain, Connecticut
- • Walnut Hill Park — a large public park west of downtown New Britain, Connecticut, United States of...
- • Sloper-Wesoly House — historic house in Connecticut, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 51m. Total distance: 34 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 17.9 miles on CT 9. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.21 in tolls one way, starting with Killingworth Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 New Britain, 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: near the start (CT 81 / Hull Street): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles (CT 81 / Higganum Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.5 miles (CT 9): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New Britain, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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