Danbury to Lisbon is 99.3 miles and takes about 2 hours 3 minutes via Main Street, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Connecticut, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a drive primarily on surface roads, meaning you'll likely encounter local traffic and lower speed limits for most of the journey. It's a straightforward trip, suitable for a single day if you're looking for a manageable drive without extensive highway time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.7 miles from Danbury, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CT 2
32.4 mi
37m
I 84
31.3 mi
37m
I 91
13 mi
15m
I 691
8.1 mi
9m
I 395
5.6 mi
6m
CT 3
1.9 mi
2m
Newtown Road
1.6 mi
3m
White Street
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
CT 2
— 32.4 mi, about 37m
Traffic on I-84
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~2,758 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~599 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 23 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Danbury, CT and Lisbon, CT.
1
Start on Library Place
234 ft·12 sec·Library Place
2
Turn left onto CT 53
436 ft·20 sec·Main Street
3
Turn right onto White Street
1.3 mi·2 min·White Street
4
Continue on Newtown Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Newtown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 84 East: Waterbury
6
Merge onto I 84
31 mi·37 min·I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·53 sec
Exit 27Toward I 691 East: MeridenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 691
8.1 mi·9 min·I 691
9
Take the exit
433 ft·14 sec
Exit 1AToward I 91 North: Hartford, SpringfieldUse the slight left lane.
10
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·55 sec·this road
Exit 11Toward I 91 North: Hartford, Springfield
11
Merge onto I 91
13 mi·15 min·I 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 25-26Toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury, Old WethersfieldUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 25Toward CT 3 North: GlastonburyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto CT 3
1.9 mi·2 min·CT 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 13 CToward CT 2 East: NorwichUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto CT 2
0.4 mi·33 sec·CT 2
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 2
19 mi·22 min·CT 2
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto CT 2
13 mi·14 min·CT 2
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 37Toward I 395 North: Providence
20
Merge onto I 395; CT 2A
5.6 mi·6 min·I 395; CT 2A
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 19Toward CT 169: Lisbon
22
Turn left onto CT 169
1.2 mi·2 min·South Burnham Highway
23
Turn right onto CT 138
0.2 mi·21 sec·Newent Road
24
Turn right
287 ft·26 sec
25
Turn left
338 ft·24 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given this is a 2-hour, 3-minute drive, it's easily completed in one day. You could depart anytime, but leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach your destination. Since the entire route is on surface roads, expect a consistent pace without the need for long highway stretches. The estimated fuel cost is $16, so plan accordingly. There are no specific 'longest stretches' to worry about, offering flexibility for spontaneous stops if you see something interesting along the way.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.7 miles from Danbury, CT, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 22 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.7 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lisbon, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Danbury, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Danbury, CT
This is one driving day of about 99.3 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Danbury, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on CT 2 for about 32.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.6 and 59.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
34.6 mi into trip|~43m in
Take the exit toward I 691 East: Meriden
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward I 691 East: Meriden
8
43.2 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward I 91 North: Hartford, Springfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 91 North: Hartford, Springfield
8
56.7 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury, Old Wethersfield
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 25-26
Toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury, Old Wethersfiel...
9
56.9 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury
8
59.1 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CT 2 East: Norwich
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13 C
Toward CT 2 East: Norwich
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.33 one way
$34.66 round trip
$4.43/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.93
$19.29
$38.58
premium
$5.30
$20.72
$41.45
diesel
$6.18
$24.16
$48.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.8
0
$10.43
$4.77
Efficient EV
24.8
0
$8.69
$3.97
EV Truck/SUV
39.7
0
$13.90
$6.36
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Danbury, CT
Morning
in Danbury on Tuesday
Local time
7:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
33°F
Clear
E 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lisbon, CT
Morning
in Lisbon on Tuesday
Local time
7:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
33°F
Clear
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 3m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Weir Farm National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Visit the home and studio of America's most beloved Impressionist, J. Alden Weir, and walk in the footsteps of generations of world-class artists. Set amidst more than 60 acres of painterly woods, fie...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is entirely on surface roads, with 0% highway share. You'll be navigating through towns and local areas for the full 99.3 miles. Since there are no highways, you can anticipate consistent speeds and potentially more traffic lights and intersections throughout the drive. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is the entire 99.3 miles.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.4 mi on CT 2.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 2 and I 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 99.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 34.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
693 ft39 ft
Total Climb
1,176 ft
Total Descent
1,302 ft
Highest Point
693 ft
~21.3 mi in
Elevation Range
654 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Danbury, CT and Lisbon, CT, road signs point toward Springfield and Old Wethersfield.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 99.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.4 miles on CT 2. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Lisbon, CT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Lisbon, CT before heading back.
