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Trip from Lisbon, CT to Danbury, CT

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 4m

Distance

100.2 mi

161 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 56m ★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 22m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 21m
8 PM
1h 59m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Connecticut, USA

Lisbon, CT

Wikimedia Commons

city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States

Danbury, CT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Lisbon to Danbury, this 100.2-mile journey across Connecticut is a straightforward, efficient drive that typically takes about 2 hours and 4 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. By utilizing a combination of CT 2, I-91, and I-84, you will transition across the Northeast corridor with ease. Whether you are heading west for business or a quick getaway, this route provides a direct path between the two points without unnecessary complexity.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

50.1 miles from Lisbon, CT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 84 34.6 mi 42m
CT 2 31 mi 36m
I 91 12.8 mi 14m
I 691 7.7 mi 8m
I 395 4.8 mi 5m
CT 3 2.2 mi 3m
West Town Street 1.3 mi 2m
South Burnham Highway 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 84 — 34.6 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lisbon, CT and Danbury, CT.

1

Start on this road

338 ft · 26 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn right

287 ft · 27 sec
3

At end of road, turn left onto CT 138

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Newent Road
4

Turn left onto CT 138; CT 169

1.1 mi · 1 min · South Burnham Highway
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
6

Merge onto I 395

4.8 mi · 5 min · I 395
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 43 sec
Exit 14 Toward Hartford, Colchester
8

Turn right onto West Town Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Town Street
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward CT 2 West: Hartford
10

Merge onto CT 2

31 mi · 36 min · CT 2
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 4 Toward CT 3 South: Wethersfield Use the slight right lane.
12

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 29 sec · this road
Exit 5D Toward CT 3 South: Wethersfield
13

Continue on CT 3

2.2 mi · 3 min · CT 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 91 South: New Haven Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15

Merge onto I 91

13 mi · 14 min · I 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Exit 18 Toward I 691 West: Meriden, Waterbury Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Merge onto I 691

7.7 mi · 8 min · I 691
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 8B Toward I 84 West: Waterbury
19

Merge onto I 84

35 mi · 42 min · I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 5 Toward CT 39, CT 53: Downtown Danbury, Bethel Use the slight right lane.
21

Turn right onto CT 39

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
22

Turn right onto Library Place

234 ft · 10 sec · Library Place
23

Arrive at destination

Library Place

Trip Plan

Given the highway-heavy nature of this 100.2-mile route, try to depart outside of typical rush hours to ensure your travel time stays close to the 2-hour and 4-minute estimate. Since there are no mandatory stops built into this quick trip, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you need a break rather than adhering to a strict schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you merge onto I-84, as the longest 34.6-mile stretch can move quickly once traffic picks up. Because this is a single-day trip, feel free to adjust your departure to suit your personal schedule, as the lack of required stops makes it a low-stress endeavor. Always check local traffic reports for I-84 before leaving Lisbon to avoid unexpected congestion.

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 50.1 miles from Lisbon, CT, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.6 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 22 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 50.1 miles or 1h 2m 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 41m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lisbon, 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 Lisbon, CT

This is one driving day of about 100.2 miles and 2h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Lisbon, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 84 for about 34.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Hartford County, Connecticut, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Glastonbury, CT

50 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

East Hampton, CT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middletown, CT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 50.1 miles from Lisbon, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lisbon, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 100.2

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 100.2

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 100.2

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 100.2

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 100.2

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 85.9

Newtown, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 100.2

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Holy Land USA Waterbury

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 71.6

Waterbury, Connecticut

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18553707770

Visit website

Salmon River State Forest

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 28.6

Colchester, Connecticut

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18604243000

Visit website

Curioporium

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 64.4

Southington, CT

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+18604262256

Visit website

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 0.1 and 99.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | CT 138 / Newent Road

At end of road, turn left onto CT 138 / Newent Road

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
6.5 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the exit toward Hartford, Colchester

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

Exit 14 Toward Hartford, Colchester
7
39.2 mi into trip | ~48m in

Take the exit toward CT 3 South: Wethersfield

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 4 Toward CT 3 South: Wethersfield
8
55.7 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Take the exit toward I 691 West: Meriden, 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 18 Toward I 691 West: Meriden, Waterbury
8
99.2 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in

Take the exit toward CT 39, CT 53: Downtown Danbury, Bethel

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 5 Toward CT 39, CT 53: Downtown Danbury, Bethel

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.56 one way

$31.13 round trip

$3.95/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $17.58 $35.16
premium $4.86 $19.16 $38.33
diesel $6.00 $23.66 $47.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.1 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.1 0 $10.52 $4.81
Efficient EV 25.1 0 $8.77 $4.01
EV Truck/SUV 40.1 0 $14.03 $6.41

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Lisbon, CT

Night in Lisbon on Saturday

Local time

9:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Danbury, CT

Night in Danbury on Saturday

Local time

9:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°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

2h 4m 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 trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 93% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. Expect a consistent, efficient pace as you transition between major interstates, providing a reliable experience behind the wheel. The drive features a significant 34.6-mile stretch on I-84, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your transit. Because the route is engineered for speed and connectivity, you will find it functions more as a streamlined transit corridor than a winding, scenic backroad. Prepare for a steady, focused drive that prioritizes reaching your destination quickly while navigating the primary infrastructure of the state.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.6 mi on I 84.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 84 and CT 2. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CT 138 / Newent Road.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 100.2 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 0.1 miles (CT 138 / Newent Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Between Lisbon, CT and Danbury, CT, road signs point toward Hartford, Colchester and Waterbury.

Hartford

6.5 mi in | ~8m

Colchester

6.5 mi in | ~8m

Waterbury

55.7 mi in | ~1h 9m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 100.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 34.6 miles on I 84. 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 Danbury, CT 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CT 138 / Newent Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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

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