Origin
Cromwell, CT
Late night in Cromwell on Sunday
Local time
3:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cromwell, CT to Danbury, CT
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 9m
Distance
54 mi
87 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 4m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 21m
10 AM
1h 13m
12 PM
1h 12m
3 PM
1h 14m
5 PM
1h 20m
8 PM
1h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cromwell, CT
MART PRODUCTION
Danbury, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 54-mile drive from Cromwell to Danbury, Connecticut, is designed for a single day, taking about 1 hour and 9 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on interstate highways, with 88% of the journey utilizing these faster roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $9, making it a budget-friendly option. Given its short duration and highway focus, this route is perfect for a quick transit or a leisurely day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You'll remain within the Northeast region for the entire journey, experiencing a straightforward connection between these two Connecticut cities.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 84 | 34.6 mi | 42m |
| I 691 | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| I 91 | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| West Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Berlin Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Library Place | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 84
— 34.6 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cromwell, CT and Danbury, CT.
1
Start on Wall Street
53 ft
·
2 sec
·
Wall Street
2
Turn right onto CT 99
313 ft
·
12 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto CT 372
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
West Street
Use the left / slight left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on CT 372
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Berlin Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
1 min
6
Merge onto I 91
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
I 91
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 18
Toward I 691 West: Meriden, Waterbury
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 691
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
I 691
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B
Toward I 84 West: Waterbury
10
Merge onto I 84
35 mi
·
42 min
·
I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 5
Toward CT 39, CT 53: Downtown Danbury, Bethel
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto CT 39
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
13
Turn right onto Library Place
234 ft
·
10 sec
·
Library Place
14
Arrive at destination
Library Place
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27 miles from Cromwell, 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 52.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CT 372 / West Street
Turn left onto CT 372 / West Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / slight left / straight lanes.
8
9.4 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward I 691 West: Meriden, Waterbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward I 691 West: Meriden, Waterbury
5
9.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 691
Merge onto I 691
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
17.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 84 West: Waterbury
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 8B
Toward I 84 West: Waterbury
8
52.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward CT 39, CT 53: Downtown Danbury, Bethel
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 5
Toward CT 39, CT 53: Downtown Danbury, Bethel
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.69 one way
$17.39 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $9.56 | $19.13 |
| premium | $4.86 | $10.34 | $20.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.92 | $23.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.67 | $2.59 |
| Efficient EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.73 | $2.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.56 | $3.46 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Danbury, CT
Late night in Danbury on Sunday
Local time
3:28 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.
Temperature spread
19 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 9m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 54-mile trip. With 88% of the route on interstates like I-84, I-691, and I-91, you'll experience mostly fast-paced driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 34.6 miles on I-84, offering a sustained period of highway travel. While the profile suggests a consistent highway experience, be prepared for the typical characteristics of interstate driving, including varying traffic conditions and the need for efficient navigation between these major thoroughfares.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.6 mi on I 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 84 and I 691. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CT 372 / West Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 54 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (CT 372 / West Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles (I 691): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cromwell, CT to Danbury, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Waterbury along the way.
Waterbury
9.4 mi in
|
~14m
About the Cities
Arriving in Danbury, CT
Full guide →Danbury - nicknamed Hat City - is a city in the interior of Fairfield County, Connecticut, making it part of the Litchfield Hills region.
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 1h 9m. Total distance: 54 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.6 miles on I 84. 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 Danbury, 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 0.1 miles (CT 372 / West Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles (I 691): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Danbury, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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