Origin
Franklin, CT
Night in Franklin on Saturday
Local time
9:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, CT to Norwalk, CT
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
91.8 mi
148 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 50m
★
6 AM
1h 59m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 5m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 6m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, CT
MART PRODUCTION
Norwalk, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 91.8-mile drive from Franklin, CT, to Norwalk, CT, is designed for efficiency, taking just under two hours. Primarily utilizing I-95 and I-395, with a brief stretch on Route 32, this route keeps you on major highways for 98% of the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it's an affordable and straightforward trip, perfectly suited for a single day. Given its focus on high-speed travel, it's an ideal option when you need to get from point A to point B in Connecticut without much fuss. You'll remain within the Northeast region for the entire duration.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.9 miles from Franklin, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 72 mi | 1h 32m |
| I 395 | 13.6 mi | 15m |
| Route 32 | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| CT 32 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| East Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Town Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Pound Hill Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Franklin Turnpike | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 72 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, CT and Norwalk, CT.
1
Start on Pound Hill Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Pound Hill Road
2
Turn right onto CT 32
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Route 32
3
Continue on CT 32
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Franklin Turnpike
4
Continue on CT 32
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Town Street
5
Take the exit onto CT 32
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
CT 32
Toward CT 2 East, CT 32 South: Norwich
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 36
Toward I 395 South: New Haven
7
Merge onto I 395; CT 2A
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 395; CT 2A
8
Merge onto I 95
72 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 16
Toward East Norwalk
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto East Avenue
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
East Avenue
11
Keep slight right at fork onto East Avenue
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
East Avenue
12
Continue on East Avenue
86 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
East Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 1 hour and 58 minutes, this trip is easily manageable as a day excursion. You can start anytime, but departing earlier in the day can help you avoid potential traffic congestion, especially as you approach Norwalk. Since there are no designated stops recommended, you can plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps during the 72-mile stretch on I-95. Keep an eye on your fuel levels; the estimated cost is $15, so a single fill-up should be sufficient. The flexibility of this short drive means you can adjust your departure and arrival times to suit your schedule.
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 45.9 miles from Franklin, CT, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.9 miles or 59m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norwalk, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Franklin, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Franklin, CT
This is one driving day of about 91.8 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Franklin, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 72 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.9 miles from Franklin, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72 miles.
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 75 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 91 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CT 32 / Route 32
Turn right onto CT 32 / Route 32
Navigation decision point
5
4.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
CT 32
Take the exit onto CT 32 toward CT 2 East, CT 32 South: Norwich
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CT 2 East, CT 32 South: Norwich
5
5.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 395 South: New Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 36
Toward I 395 South: New Haven
5
19 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
91 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward East Norwalk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16
Toward East Norwalk
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.78 one way
$29.56 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $16.26 | $32.52 |
| premium | $4.86 | $17.58 | $35.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.27 | $40.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.64 | $4.41 |
| Efficient EV | 23 | 0 | $8.03 | $3.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.7 | 0 | $12.85 | $5.88 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Norwalk, CT
Night in Norwalk on Saturday
Local time
9:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live 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
5 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 58m 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.
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 91.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for nearly the entire 91.8 miles, as 98% of this route is on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 72 miles on I-95, emphasizing its continuous highway nature. While I-395 and Route 32 offer slight variations, the overall personality of the drive is geared towards smooth, fast travel. This isn't a route for leisurely sightseeing, but rather for making good time on well-maintained roads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 395. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near CT 32 / Route 32.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 58m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (CT 32 / Route 32): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles (CT 32): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 91.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.3 miles (CT 32 / Route 32): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles (CT 32): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 Norwalk, 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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