Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
54.5 mi
88 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good 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
Essex, CT
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Northeast, this 54.5-mile journey from Fairfield to Essex is an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. Clocking in at approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes, the route is efficient and straightforward, making it perfect for those who want to maximize time at their destination rather than behind the wheel. You can expect to spend about $9 on fuel for the entire trip, keeping costs low for a spontaneous getaway. Because the distance is relatively short, there is no need to split this into an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, this direct path through Connecticut provides a reliable connection between these two coastal regions.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 44.7 mi | 56m |
| Essex Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Westbrook Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Forbes Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Plains Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Long Wharf Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| West Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Frontage Road | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, CT and Essex, CT.
Start on US 1
Turn left onto Mill Plain Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
Continue on East Street
Turn right onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Turn right onto US 1
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn left onto CT 153
Continue on CT 153
Continue on CT 153
Continue on West Avenue
Continue on West Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
Continue on Main Street
Turn left
Turn left onto Pratt Street
Arrive at destination
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.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 27.2 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 0 and 22.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Mill Plain Road
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 95 North
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$8.77 one way
$17.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $9.65 | $19.31 |
| premium | $4.86 | $10.44 | $20.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.03 | $24.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.1 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 | 16.3 | 0 | $5.72 | $2.62 |
| Efficient EV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.77 | $2.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.63 | $3.49 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Fairfield on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Essex on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
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 drive is primarily highway-focused, with 82% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on I-95 for the longest stretch of 44.7 miles, which serves as the backbone of your travel. As you transition off the interstate, the character of the road shifts significantly when you merge onto Essex Road and Westbrook Road to reach your final destination. These local roads provide a necessary change of pace after the interstate grind, allowing you to wind down as you approach Essex. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that prioritizes speed and efficiency, ensuring you reach your destination without unnecessary complications.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Essex Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Mill Plain Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 54.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 (Mill Plain Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
243 ft
Total Descent
226 ft
Highest Point
108 ft
~19.5 mi in
Elevation Range
100 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 16m. Total distance: 54.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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