If you are planning a trip from Fairfield to Mansfield City, you can expect a straightforward 86.4-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 54 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay to manage the distance. You will primarily utilize the Wilbur Cross Parkway, I-91, and CT-2 to navigate through the Northeast region. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the entire route stays within Connecticut, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. It is an efficient way to travel across the state without needing multiple stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.2 miles from Fairfield, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Wilbur Cross Parkway
27 mi
33m
I 91
13.6 mi
15m
CT 2
10.6 mi
12m
Middletown Road
6.8 mi
7m
CT 8
5 mi
5m
I 95
4.3 mi
5m
Merritt Parkway
3 mi
4m
West Main Street
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Wilbur Cross Parkway
— 27 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, CT and Mansfield City, CT.
1
Start on US 1
186 ft·12 sec·Post Road
2
Turn left onto Mill Plain Road
0.2 mi·22 sec·Mill Plain Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 95 North
4
Merge onto I 95
4.3 mi·5 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 27AToward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, WaterburyUse the right lane.
6
Continue on CT 8; CT 25
3.2 mi·3 min·CT 8; CT 25
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8
1.8 mi·2 min·CT 8
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 6Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New HavenUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto CT 15
3.0 mi·4 min·Merritt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CT 15
27 mi·33 min·Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 65AToward I 91 North, CT 66 East: Hartford, MiddletownUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 91
14 mi·15 min·I 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 25-26Toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury, Old WethersfieldUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 25Toward CT 3 North: GlastonburyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto CT 3
1.9 mi·2 min·CT 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 13 CToward CT 2 East: NorwichUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto CT 2
0.4 mi·33 sec·CT 2
18
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 2
10 mi·11 min·CT 2
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 15Toward CT 66: Willimantic, MiddletownUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
178 ft·11 sec
Toward CT 66 East: Hebron, Willimantic
21
Turn left onto CT 66
520 ft·6 sec·East Hampton Road
22
Continue on CT 66
2.2 mi·2 min·Hebron Road
23
Continue on CT 66
3.0 mi·3 min·West Main Street
24
Continue on CT 66
1.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
25
Continue on CT 66
6.8 mi·7 min·Middletown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·48 sec
Exit 89Toward CT 32: Stafford Springs, Willimantic
27
Turn sharp left onto CT 32
0.3 mi·21 sec·Main Street
28
Continue on CT 32
1.9 mi·2 min·Stafford Road
29
Turn right onto Browns Road
1.9 mi·7 min·Browns Road
30
Turn sharp left onto Mansfield City Road
9 ft·0 sec·Mansfield City Road
31
Arrive at destination
Mansfield City Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it best suits your schedule without worrying about mid-trip fatigue. You should plan for a non-stop journey, as the duration is manageable even during busier travel times. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge before heading out, as $14 should be sufficient for the round trip depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Because you are relying heavily on major arteries like I-91 and the Wilbur Cross Parkway, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain that estimated 1 hour and 54-minute travel time. Taking advantage of the direct highway connections allows you to maximize your time at your destination in Mansfield City.
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 43.2 miles from Fairfield, CT, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.2 miles or 55m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mansfield City, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairfield, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fairfield, CT
This is one driving day of about 86.4 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Fairfield, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Wilbur Cross Parkway for about 27 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 4.7 and 55.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
4.7 mi into trip|~6m in
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
Use the right lane.
Exit 27A
Toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury
8
10.3 mi into trip|~13m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
8
41.1 mi into trip|~53m in
Take the exit toward I 91 North, CT 66 East: Hartford, Middletown
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 65A
Toward I 91 North, CT 66 East: Hartford, Middle...
8
55 mi into trip|~1h 9m 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
55.2 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.91 one way
$27.82 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$15.30
$30.61
premium
$4.86
$16.55
$33.09
diesel
$5.61
$19.08
$38.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.9
0
$9.07
$4.15
Efficient EV
21.6
0
$7.56
$3.46
EV Truck/SUV
34.6
0
$12.10
$5.53
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Fairfield, CT
Night
in Fairfield on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 6 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mansfield City, CT
Night
in Mansfield City on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 9 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
2 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 54m 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?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 76% of this route consists of high-speed travel. You will spend your time navigating through a mix of parkway and interstate segments, which keeps the pace consistent. The most uninterrupted portion of your drive occurs during a 27-mile stretch on the Wilbur Cross Parkway. While the route is designed for efficiency, the transition between the parkway, I-91, and CT-2 requires you to stay alert for changing road types. Overall, the drive feels like a standard, functional transit route rather than a slow-paced scenic tour.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27 mi on Wilbur Cross Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and I 91. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.4 miles you will encounter 22 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 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
173 ft15 ft
Total Climb
158 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
173 ft
~10.8 mi in
Elevation Range
158 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fairfield, CT and Mansfield City, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury, New Haven, Middletown, Old Wethersfield and Willimantic.
Waterbury
4.7 mi in|~6m
New Haven
8.6 mi in|~11m|via CT 8
Middletown
41.1 mi in|~53m
Old Wethersfield
55 mi in|~1h 9m
Willimantic
68.6 mi in|~1h 26m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 86.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway. 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 Mansfield City, 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 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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; at 41.1 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 Mansfield City, CT before heading back.
