Fairfield, CT to Newport, RI is 124.8 miles and takes about 2h 43m via I 95 and RI 138, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, moving from Connecticut into Rhode Island. The majority of this drive is on major highways, making for a relatively quick transit. With only one recommended stop and a short total drive time, it's a straightforward route for a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
62.4 miles from Fairfield, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
96.9 mi
1h 58m
RI 138
8.8 mi
12m
Ten Rod Road
5.7 mi
8m
RI 4
3.3 mi
3m
Victory Highway
2.7 mi
4m
Forbes Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Long Wharf Drive
0.9 mi
2m
Tower Hill Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 96.9 mi, about 1h 58m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,267 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~488 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 30 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 Fairfield, CT and Newport, RI.
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
22 mi·30 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·1 min
Exit 46Toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
0.9 mi·2 min·Long Wharf Drive
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on East Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·East Street
8
Turn right onto US 1
0.1 mi·9 sec·Water Street
9
Continue on US 1
1.2 mi·2 min·Forbes Avenue
10
Turn right onto US 1
0.7 mi·48 sec·Frontage Road
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 North
12
Merge onto I 95
75 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 14AToward RI 102 South: North KingstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto RI 102
0.4 mi·45 sec·Victory Highway
15
Turn right onto RI 3; RI 102
0.2 mi·26 sec·Nooseneck Hill Road
16
Turn left onto RI 102
2.3 mi·3 min·Victory Highway
17
Continue on RI 102
5.7 mi·8 min·Ten Rod Road
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward RI 4 South: Narragansett
19
Merge onto RI 4
3.3 mi·3 min·RI 4
20
Continue on US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Tower Hill Road
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward RI 138 East: Jamestown, NewportUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
23
Merge onto RI 138
8.8 mi·12 min·RI 138
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto JT Connell Connector
0.1 mi·32 sec·JT Connell Connector
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto RI 138A
0.3 mi·56 sec·JT Connell Highway
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on RI 138A
0.3 mi·52 sec·Farewell Street
27
Continue on Farewell Street
526 ft·10 sec·Farewell Street
28
Continue on Thames Street
0.3 mi·29 sec·Thames Street
29
Turn left onto Touro Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·Touro Street
30
Turn left onto Court House Street
146 ft·6 sec·Court House Street
31
Arrive at destination
Court House Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 43m duration, this is a comfortable same-day trip. Aim to depart Fairfield in the morning to maximize your time in Newport. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 96.9 miles on I 95, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you hit this segment. With a total fuel cost estimated at $23, it's an economical option. The short drive time means you have flexibility if you encounter unexpected delays.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.4 miles from Fairfield, CT, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.9 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 27 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.4 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newport, RI 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.
+
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 Fairfield, CT
This is one driving day of about 124.8 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Fairfield, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 96.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.5 and 123.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
22.5 mi into trip|~31m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 46
Toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive
6
22.7 mi into trip|~32m in|Long Wharf Drive
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
100.8 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Take the exit toward RI 102 South: North Kingstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14A
Toward RI 102 South: North Kingstown
7
114 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward RI 138 East: Jamestown, Newport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward RI 138 East: Jamestown, Newport
7
123.7 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|RI 138A / JT Connell Highway
Turn left onto RI 138A / JT Connell Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.06 one way
$44.12 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$24.16
$48.33
premium
$5.29
$25.99
$51.97
diesel
$5.35
$26.29
$52.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.4
0
$13.10
$5.99
Efficient EV
31.2
0
$10.92
$4.99
EV Truck/SUV
49.9
0
$17.47
$7.99
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Fairfield, CT
Afternoon
in Fairfield on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Isolated Rain Showers
NE 2 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Newport, RI
Afternoon
in Newport on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 6 mph18% chanceLive forecast
72°F
Norwich, CT
62 mi in
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
4 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
2h 43m 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 drive is predominantly highway, with 87% of it spent on freeways. You'll experience 96.9 miles on I 95 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a high number of exits and potential for merging traffic as you navigate the interstate sections. The final leg on local roads will offer a different driving experience compared to the earlier highway cruising.
87% 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: 96.9 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and RI 138. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 124.8 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 22.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.7 miles (Long Wharf Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Newport is a beautiful seaside city in Rhode Island that is famous for its genteel mansions and a rich history of yachting, golf, and tennis. With a population of only 25,000 (2020), this scenic resort town punches well above its weight and was known as the "Summer White House" throughout the 1950s and 60s.
Top landmarks
•Naval War College — staff college of the United States Navy
•The Breakers — Gilded Age Vanberbilt mansion in Newport, Rhode Island
•Touro Synagogue — historic site in Rhode Island, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 124.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.9 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Newport, RI 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.7 miles (Long Wharf Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Newport, RI before heading back.
