Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
48m
Distance
30.7 mi
49 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Sparse
1 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfield, CT
David Kanigan
Southbury, CT
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning to travel from Fairfield to Southbury, expect a straightforward 30.7-mile journey that typically takes about 48 minutes behind the wheel. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as the distance is short enough that you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You will navigate a combination of I-95, CT 25, and I-84 to complete the transit between these two Connecticut locations. With a minimal fuel cost of approximately $5, this drive is an economical choice for those moving between the coastal region and the inland areas of the state. It is a highly practical connection that prioritizes efficiency over exploration, making it ideal for commuters or those with a specific destination in mind. Because the trip is so quick, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 25 | 12 mi | 18m |
| I 84 | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| I 95 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| CT 8 | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Toddy Hill Road | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| Botsford Hill Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Main Street North | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| US 6 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, CT and Southbury, 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 left at fork onto CT 25
Turn right onto Botsford Hill Road
Continue on Toddy Hill Road
At end of road, turn left onto CT 34
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 84; US 6
Take the exit onto US 6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6
Turn left onto US 6; CT 67
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 30.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 15.3 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 30.2 — 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 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 left at fork onto CT 25 toward CT 25 North: Trumbull, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 6 toward US 6 East, CT 67: Southbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6 toward US 6 East, CT 67: Southbury
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$4.94 one way
$9.88 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $5.44 | $10.88 |
| premium | $4.86 | $5.88 | $11.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.78 | $13.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.22 | $1.47 |
| Efficient EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.69 | $1.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.30 | $1.96 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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 Tuesday
Local time
5:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Clear
Destination
Late night in Southbury on Tuesday
Local time
5:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
33°F
Clear
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 heavily highway-focused, with roughly 81% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will encounter a mix of interstate travel and state highway segments, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the 48-minute trip. The longest uninterrupted portion of your journey occurs on CT 25, which spans 12 miles of the total distance. As you transition between the different road types, the feel of the drive shifts from the busier lanes of I-95 to the more direct stretches found on CT 25 and I-84. You should be prepared for a functional, no-nonsense driving experience that gets you from start to finish with minimal deviation from the main highway corridors.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 25 and I 84. 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.
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 12 decision points packed into just 30.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 48m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Mill Plain Road): Navigation decision point; 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 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
52 ft
Total Descent
22 ft
Highest Point
45 ft
~6.4 mi in
Elevation Range
31 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fairfield, CT and Southbury, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury and New York City.
Waterbury
New York City
Fairfield is a city in Connecticut.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 48m. Total distance: 30.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). 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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