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Trip from Higganum, CT to Stamford, 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 39m

Distance

72.2 mi

116 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 32m ★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Higganum, CT, CT

Higganum, CT

MART PRODUCTION

city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States

Stamford, CT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 72.2-mile drive from Higganum, CT, to Stamford, CT, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 39 minutes. You'll primarily navigate highways, with 82% of the journey on these faster roads, making it a straightforward trip through the Northeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this route is an economical option for a quick getaway or a convenient transit. The profile suggests a highway-focused experience, so pack your favorite podcast or audiobook for the 29.8-mile stretch on CT 15. It's a practical choice if you're looking for efficiency and a clear path.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

36.1 miles from Higganum, CT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
CT 15 29.8 mi 37m
I 95 20.6 mi 28m
CT 8 4.5 mi 5m
CT 9 4.3 mi 5m
Meriden Road 4.2 mi 5m
Washington Street 2.6 mi 5m
Saybrook Road 2.2 mi 3m
Atlantic Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: CT 15 — 29.8 mi, about 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Higganum, CT and Stamford, CT.

1

Start on CT 154

2.2 mi · 3 min · Saybrook Road
2

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 14 sec
3

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 24 sec
Toward CT 9 North: New Britain
4

Merge onto CT 9

4.3 mi · 5 min · CT 9
5

Turn left

150 ft · 3 sec
Toward CT 66 West: Middletown
6

Continue on Washington Street

2.6 mi · 5 min · Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Continue on CT 66

4.2 mi · 5 min · Meriden Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 1B Toward I 91 South, CT 15 South: New Haven Use the slight left lane.
9

Merge onto I 91

0.1 mi · 11 sec · I 91
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 17 Toward CT 15 South Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

437 ft · 8 sec
Toward CT 15 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto CT 15

30 mi · 37 min · CT 15
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 34 Toward CT 8, CT 108: Bridgeport, Waterbury Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward CT 8 South, CT 108 South: Bridgeport
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward CT 8 South: Bridgeport Use the slight left lane.
16

Merge onto CT 8

4.5 mi · 5 min · CT 8
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 95 South: New York City Use the slight right lane.
18

Merge onto I 95

21 mi · 28 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 7 Toward CT 137 North: Atlantic Street Use the slight right lane.
20

Turn straight onto North State Street

0.3 mi · 47 sec · North State Street
21

Turn right onto Atlantic Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Atlantic Street
22

Arrive at destination

Atlantic Street

Trip Plan

Given the 1 hour and 39-minute duration and 72.2-mile distance, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day trip with no need for an overnight stay. Aim to depart outside of peak commuter hours to maximize your time on the road, especially considering the highway-focused profile. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's a budget-friendly excursion. Plan for one brief stop if needed, perhaps midway through the longest stretch of 29.8 miles on CT 15, to stretch your legs. The primary roads are CT 15, I 95, and CT 8, so ensure your vehicle is in good condition for highway speeds.

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 36.1 miles from Higganum, CT, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.8 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 16 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 36.1 miles or 50m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stamford, CT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Higganum, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Higganum, CT

This is one driving day of about 72.2 miles and 1h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Higganum, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on CT 15 for about 29.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Milford, CT

36 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.

Popular next leg

Milford, CT to Stamford, CT

30.5 mi · 43m

Pacing Suggestions

Meriden, CT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Shelton, CT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.1 miles from Higganum, 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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 13.9 and 45.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
13.9 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward I 91 South, CT 15 South: New Haven

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 1B Toward I 91 South, CT 15 South: New Haven
7
14.3 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward CT 15 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 17 Toward CT 15 South
7
14.6 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CT 15 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward CT 15 South
8
44.5 mi into trip | ~1h in

Take the exit toward CT 8, CT 108: Bridgeport, Waterbury

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 34 Toward CT 8, CT 108: Bridgeport, Waterbury
7
45.2 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CT 8 South: Bridgeport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward CT 8 South: Bridgeport

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.62 one way

$23.25 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $12.79 $25.58
premium $4.86 $13.83 $27.65
diesel $5.61 $15.94 $31.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.7 0 $7.58 $3.47
Efficient EV 18.1 0 $6.32 $2.89
EV Truck/SUV 28.9 0 $10.11 $4.62

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Higganum, CT

Morning in Higganum on Sunday

Local time

8:53 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Stamford, CT

Morning in Stamford on Sunday

Local time

8:53 AM

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

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 39m 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?

Expect a highway-focused drive for most of your 72.2 miles. With 82% of the route utilizing major highways like CT 15 and I 95, this trip prioritizes speed and directness. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 29.8 miles on CT 15, offering a chance to settle into a steady rhythm. While the exact nature of the roads beyond the main highways isn't specified, the overall character leans towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. This means you'll likely experience a consistent driving pace for the majority of your 1 hour and 39-minute journey.

82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.8 mi on CT 15.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 15 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.2 miles you will encounter 16 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 13.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Higganum, CT to Stamford, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Waterbury along the way.

Waterbury

44.5 mi in | ~1h

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 72.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 29.8 miles on CT 15. 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 Stamford, 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 13.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Stamford, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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