Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 21m
Distance
57.5 mi
93 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfield, CT
David Kanigan
East Hampton, CT
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a trip from Fairfield to East Hampton, you can expect a straightforward 57.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 21 minutes. This transit is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, the route is both efficient and cost-effective for a quick getaway. You will stay within the Northeast region for the duration of the trip, moving entirely within Connecticut. It is an ideal option if you need to travel between these two points quickly without the complexity of a multi-day itinerary.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wilbur Cross Parkway | 26.4 mi | 32m |
| CT 8 | 5 mi | 5m |
| CT 66 | 5 mi | 7m |
| I 95 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Portland-Cobalt Road | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| West High Street | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Merritt Parkway | 3 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, CT and East Hampton, CT.
Start on US 1
Turn left onto Mill Plain Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Continue on CT 8; CT 25
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8
Take the exit
Merge onto CT 15
Continue on CT 15
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn slight right onto East Main Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto CT 66
Turn left onto CT 3
Turn right onto Liberty Street
Continue on Prospect Street
Turn right onto Grand Street
At end of road, turn left onto CT 66
Take the exit onto CT 17; CT 66
Merge onto CT 17; CT 66
Continue on CT 17; CT 66
Continue on CT 66
Turn right onto Main Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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.
A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 28.8 miles from Fairfield, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 40.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8 toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward East Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward Industrial Area, Wesleyan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$9.26 one way
$18.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $10.18 | $20.37 |
| premium | $4.86 | $11.01 | $22.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.70 | $25.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.04 | $2.76 |
| Efficient EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.03 | $2.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23 | 0 | $8.05 | $3.68 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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 Fairfield on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Clear
Destination
Late night in East Hampton on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Clear then Areas Of Frost
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 76% of your time spent on major roads like the Wilbur Cross Parkway, CT 8, and CT 66. You should be prepared for a consistent pace, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 26.4 miles on the Wilbur Cross Parkway. The transition between these arteries keeps the drive moving steadily, shifting from the parkway system into the state routes that lead you toward your destination. While the experience is primarily defined by high-speed transit, the shift in road types helps break up the monotony of the drive as you navigate toward East Hampton.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and CT 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 57.5 miles you will encounter 18 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 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles (CT 8): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
163 ft
Total Descent
15 ft
Highest Point
162 ft
~14.4 mi in
Elevation Range
148 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fairfield, CT and East Hampton, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury, New Haven, Industrial Area and Wesleyan.
Waterbury
New Haven
Industrial Area
Wesleyan
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 21m. Total distance: 57.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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