Origin
Fairfield, CT
Late night in Fairfield on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfield, CT to Meriden, CT
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
56m
Distance
41.8 mi
67 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 52m
★
6 AM
0h 56m
8 AM
1h 6m
10 AM
1h 0m
12 PM
0h 59m
3 PM
1h 0m
5 PM
1h 5m
8 PM
0h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfield, CT
David Kanigan
Meriden, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fairfield, CT to Meriden, CT is 41.8 miles and takes about 56m via Wilbur Cross Parkway, CT 8, and I 95, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive stays within Connecticut, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a short, efficient trip primarily on major parkways and interstates, making it ideal for a quick transit between these two points. Given its relatively short distance and highway focus, this is a practical option for a same-day journey without needing overnight accommodations.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wilbur Cross Parkway | 23.5 mi | 28m |
| CT 8 | 5 mi | 5m |
| I 95 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Merritt Parkway | 3 mi | 4m |
| South Broad Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| North Colony Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Mill Plain Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Wilbur Cross Parkway
— 23.5 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, CT and Meriden, 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 27A
Toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury
Use 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 6
Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
Use 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
23 mi
·
28 min
·
Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 61
Toward US 5: Wallingford, Meriden
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right onto US 5
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Colony Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 5
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
South Broad Street
14
Turn sharp left onto East Main Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
West Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.9 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 41 — 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
6
8.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
CT 8
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
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
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
37.6 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward US 5: Wallingford, Meriden
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 61
Toward US 5: Wallingford, Meriden
7
41 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
East Main Street
Turn sharp left onto East Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.73 one way
$13.46 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $7.40 | $14.81 |
| premium | $4.86 | $8.00 | $16.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.23 | $18.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.39 | $2.01 |
| Efficient EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.66 | $1.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.85 | $2.68 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Meriden, CT
Late night in Meriden on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
56m 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?
This route is a highway-focused drive, with 85% of the journey taking place on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 23.5 miles on the Wilbur Cross Parkway, offering a taste of parkway driving before transitioning to other key routes. The blend of parkways and interstate sections means you'll generally maintain good speeds, with minimal interruptions. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes directness and efficiency over leisurely cruising.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.5 mi on Wilbur Cross Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 41.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 56m.
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.
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.
Between Fairfield, CT and Meriden, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury and New Haven.
Waterbury
4.7 mi in
|
~6m
New Haven
8.6 mi in
|
~11m
|
via CT 8
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 56m. Total distance: 41.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 23.5 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 Meriden, 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 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.
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 Meriden, 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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