Origin
Columbia, CT
Late night in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from Columbia, CT to New Britain, CT
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
45m
Distance
36.6 mi
59 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, CT
Wikimedia Commons
New Britain, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
For a quick trek across Connecticut, the 36.6-mile journey from Columbia to New Britain is an efficient way to connect the two towns. Expect to spend about 45 minutes on the road, making this an ideal candidate for a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will rely primarily on a combination of CT 2, I-91, and CT 9 to navigate between these locations. With a fuel budget estimated at just $6, this is a budget-friendly commute that keeps your overhead low. Since both towns are situated within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the entire drive. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route best suited for drivers looking to get from point A to point B without unnecessary fuss.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 2 | 11 mi | 12m |
| I 91 | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| CT 9 | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| Middletown Road | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| West Main Street | 3 mi | 3m |
| CT 3 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Hebron Road | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
CT 2
— 11 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, CT and New Britain, CT.
1
Start on CT 66
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Middletown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on CT 66
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on CT 66
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Main Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on CT 66
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Hebron Road
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward CT 2 West: Hartford
6
Merge onto CT 2
11 mi
·
12 min
·
CT 2
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 4
Toward CT 3 South: Wethersfield
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
this road
Exit 5D
Toward CT 3 South: Wethersfield
9
Continue on CT 3
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
CT 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 91 South: New Haven
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Merge onto I 91
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
I 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 22N
Toward CT 9 North: New Britain
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto CT 9
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
CT 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 1
Toward CT 71: Kensington
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto CT 71
241 ft
·
4 sec
·
New Britain Road
17
Continue on CT 71
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
18
Turn right
195 ft
·
21 sec
19
Turn left onto Whiting Street
154 ft
·
4 sec
·
Whiting Street
20
Arrive at destination
Whiting Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 36.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.3 miles from Columbia, 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 21.1 and 35.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
21.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward CT 3 South: Wethersfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4
Toward CT 3 South: Wethersfield
6
24.1 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward I 91 South: New Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 91 South: New Haven
7
30.1 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward CT 9 North: New Britain
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 22N
Toward CT 9 North: New Britain
6
34.9 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
35.3 mi into trip
|
~43m 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
$5.89 one way
$11.78 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $6.48 | $12.97 |
| premium | $4.86 | $7.01 | $14.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.08 | $16.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11 | 0 | $3.84 | $1.76 |
| Efficient EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.20 | $1.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.12 | $2.34 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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 Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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.
Road read
45m 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 drive is defined by a highway-focused profile, with 63% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will find that the longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 11 miles along CT 2. While the route transitions between state highways and the interstate, the overall pace remains consistent and fast. Do not expect winding backroads or technical maneuvers; instead, anticipate a functional, efficient experience behind the wheel. The transition between the different road segments is designed for mobility rather than leisure, making it a reliable path for those prioritizing speed over scenery.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 11 mi on CT 2.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 2 and I 91. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 13 decision points packed into just 36.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in New Britain, CT
Full guide →New Britain is a city in Connecticut. The "Hardware City" is the official nickname of the city.
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 45m. Total distance: 36.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 11 miles on CT 2. 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 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: at 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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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