Origin
Colchester, CT
Late night in Colchester on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
33m
Distance
21.9 mi
35 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colchester, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Manchester, CT
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick excursion in the Northeast, this 21.9-mile connection between Colchester and Manchester is an efficient way to travel across Connecticut. You can expect to reach your destination in about 33 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, the drive is highly economical for those looking to transit between these two towns. You will primarily utilize CT 2, Manchester Road, and South Main Street to complete the journey. Given the short duration, you won't need to schedule any stops along the way, allowing for a straightforward, direct commute. Whether you are traveling for business or a local visit, this route provides a reliable and fast link within the state.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 2 | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| Manchester Road | 4.8 mi | 9m |
| South Main Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Linwood Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Center Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Hayward Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Lebanon Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Colchester, CT and Manchester, CT.
Start on Hayward Avenue
Turn left onto CT 16
Turn left onto CT 16; CT 85
Turn right onto CT 16
Take the ramp
Merge onto CT 2
Take the exit
Turn right onto CT 83
Continue on CT 83
Turn right onto US 6; US 44
Continue on US 6; US 44
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 21.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto CT 16 / Lebanon Avenue
Navigation decision point
Merge onto CT 2
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CT 83: East Glastonbury, Manchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto CT 83 / Manchester Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 6; US 44 / East Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$3.53 one way
$7.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $3.88 | $7.76 |
| premium | $4.86 | $4.19 | $8.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.84 | $9.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.30 | $1.05 |
| Efficient EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.92 | $0.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.07 | $1.40 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Late night in Colchester on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Manchester on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
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.
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 61% of your journey spent on faster roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 13.4 miles while cruising on CT 2. The experience shifts from the initial highway pace as you transition onto Manchester Road and South Main Street for the final leg of the trip. Expect a balance between the speed of the highway and the more standard pace of local town roads. Behind the wheel, you will notice the road feels purposeful and direct, lacking the complexities of winding mountain passes or heavy traffic congestion.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 2 and Manchester Road. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CT 16 / Lebanon Avenue.
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 21.9 miles you will encounter 8 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 16 / Lebanon Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (CT 2): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 33m. Total distance: 21.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
33m 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.
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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