Origin
Milford, CT
Late night in Milford on Tuesday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Milford, CT to Watertown, CT
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 8, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
47m
Distance
30.8 mi
50 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 55m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 51m
5 PM
0h 55m
8 PM
0h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Milford, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Watertown, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Milford, CT to Watertown, CT covers 30.8 miles and takes about 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on CT 8, Straits Turnpike, Grassy Hill Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 12 miles on CT 8. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.13 one way before food or hotel costs.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 8 | 12 mi | 15m |
| Straits Turnpike | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| Grassy Hill Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| North Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Church Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| New Haven Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Derby Turnpike | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CT 8
— 12 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milford, CT and Watertown, CT.
1
Start on Factory Lane
53 ft
·
7 sec
·
Factory Lane
2
Turn right onto CT 162
137 ft
·
2 sec
·
New Haven Avenue
3
Keep slight left at fork onto Daniel Street
475 ft
·
10 sec
·
Daniel Street
4
Turn right onto River Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
River Street
5
Turn left onto West Main Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Main Street
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Plymouth Place
387 ft
·
7 sec
·
Plymouth Place
7
Turn slight right onto North Street
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Street
8
Keep slight left at fork onto North Street
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Street
9
Continue on CT 121
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Grassy Hill Road
10
Turn left onto CT 34
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Derby Turnpike
11
Continue on CT 34
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
New Haven Avenue
12
Continue on CT 34
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Derby Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto CT 34
508 ft
·
8 sec
·
Main Street
Use the left lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto CT 8
12 mi
·
15 min
·
CT 8
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 25A
Toward CT 63: South Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
South Main Street
18
Turn left onto Maple Street
312 ft
·
10 sec
·
Maple Street
19
Turn right onto Water Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Water Street
20
Turn right onto Church Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Church Street
21
Continue on CT 63
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Straits Turnpike
22
Turn left onto CT 63
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
CT 63
Where to Stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.4 miles from Milford, 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 21.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CT 162 / New Haven Avenue
Turn right onto CT 162 / New Haven Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Daniel Street
Keep slight left at fork onto Daniel Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
8.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
CT 34 / Main Street
Turn left onto CT 34 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
8.9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward CT 8 North: Waterbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury
7
21.2 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward CT 63: South Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25A
Toward CT 63: South Main Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.13 one way
$10.26 round trip
$4.23/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.70 | $5.69 | $11.39 |
| premium | $5.07 | $6.14 | $12.29 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $6.79 | $13.58 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.40
Straits Turnpike
(5.8 mi)
$0.40
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$0
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.23 | $1.48 |
| Efficient EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.70 | $1.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Watertown, CT
Late night in Watertown on Tuesday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Seymour, CT
15 mi in
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
32 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
47m 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?
30.8 mi in 47m — 59% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: CT 8.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 12 mi on CT 8.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CT 162 / New Haven Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 30.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 47m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CT 162 / New Haven Avenue): Navigation decision point; near the start (Daniel Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 8.8 miles (CT 34 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
580 ft
24 ft
Total Climb
813 ft
Total Descent
263 ft
Highest Point
580 ft
~30.8 mi in
Elevation Range
557 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
21min in
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Regina Property, CT
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteKickback Lunch & Lounge
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
16min in
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Shelton, CT
Cuisine: coffee_shop;sandwich
Starbucks
Cafe
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
11min in
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Eli's Tavern
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Milford, CT
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Milford, CT
Cuisine: sandwich
Taste of Thai
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Cuisine: asian
Mac n' Out
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Milford, CT
Cuisine: macaroni_and_cheese
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Milford, CT
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-22:00; Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 10...
Visit websiteRelish Wine Bar & Grill
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
16min in
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Ansonia, CT
Cuisine: american
Visit websiteGulf Beach Picnic Tables
Picnic_site
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Mathewson Playground
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Baldwin Marsh Wildlife Area
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Warsaw Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
11min in
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Welchs Point Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Davenport Playground
Park
Near the start, short detour
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Taylor Memorial Library
Building
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Milford, CT
World War II
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Simon Lake's Explorer Submarine
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Osborne Homestead Museum
Museum
Early in the drive, right off the route
16min in
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
CT
Visit websiteSeymour Historical Society Museum
Museum
Around the midpoint, right off the route
21min in
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Visit website
Simon Lake salvage sub wreck
Ruins
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Avalon
Guest_house
Early in the drive, short detour
16min in
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
CT
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Milford, CT
Full guide →Founded 1639
Milford is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut. It is bordered to the south by Long Island sound, to the west by the Housatonic river, to the North by the town of Orange, and to the east by the town of West Haven. Milford is approximately 70 miles east of New York City. Milford is home of the Subway chain of restaurants and the Bic company.
Arriving in Watertown, CT
Full guide →Founded 1780
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 47m. Total distance: 30.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 12 miles on CT 8. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.40 in tolls one way, starting with Straits Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Watertown, 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: near the start (CT 162 / New Haven Avenue): Navigation decision point; near the start (Daniel Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 8.8 miles (CT 34 / Main Street): 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 Watertown, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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