Spanning 78.1 miles across Connecticut, this trek from Moodus to North Stamford is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 53 minutes. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, making it an efficient connection between two points in the Northeast. With fuel costs estimated at around $13, it is a budget-friendly option for travelers. Since the route is entirely contained within the state, you won't need to worry about crossing regional borders or adjusting for different local regulations. It serves as a practical, no-nonsense path for those looking to reach their destination without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39 miles from Moodus, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CT 15
53.8 mi
1h 8m
Meriden Road
4.2 mi
5m
Portland-Cobalt Road
4.2 mi
7m
Moodus Road
3.5 mi
6m
Middle Haddam Road
2.5 mi
4m
Washington Street
1.9 mi
3m
High Ridge Road
1.6 mi
2m
Main Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
CT 15
— 53.8 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Moodus, CT and North Stamford, CT.
1
Start on CT 149
0.3 mi·28 sec·East Haddam Moodus Road
2
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 151
1.1 mi·2 min·Moodus Leesville Road
3
Turn straight onto CT 151
0.8 mi·1 min·Leesville Road
4
Continue on CT 151
3.5 mi·6 min·Moodus Road
5
Continue on CT 151
2.5 mi·4 min·Middle Haddam Road
6
Turn left onto CT 66
4.2 mi·7 min·Portland-Cobalt Road
7
Continue on CT 17; CT 66
0.9 mi·2 min·Marlborough Street
Use the straight lane.
8
At end of road, turn left onto CT 17; CT 66
1.1 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto Grand Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Grand Street
10
At end of road, turn left onto Prospect Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Prospect Street
11
Continue on Liberty Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Liberty Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto CT 3
0.1 mi·19 sec·Newfield Street
13
Turn right onto CT 66
1.9 mi·3 min·Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on CT 66
4.2 mi·5 min·Meriden Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 1BToward I 91 South, CT 15 South: New HavenUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 91
0.1 mi·11 sec·I 91
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 17Toward CT 15 SouthUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
437 ft·8 sec
Toward CT 15 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto CT 15
54 mi·1 hr 8 min·CT 15
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 10Toward CT 137: High Ridge RoadUse the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto CT 137
1.6 mi·2 min·High Ridge Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto North Stamford Road
0.2 mi·54 sec·North Stamford Road
23
Continue on North Stamford Road
475 ft·16 sec·North Stamford Road
24
Turn slight right onto Cascade Road
139 ft·6 sec·Cascade Road
25
Arrive at destination
Cascade Road
Trip Plan
Because this drive is under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling to avoid peak traffic congestion. Since you will be spending the majority of your time on CT 15, keep a close eye on real-time traffic reports for that stretch to ensure your 53.8-mile highway segment remains smooth. You won't necessarily need formal stops for a trip of this length, but planning for a quick break after the initial transition from local roads to the highway can help you stay refreshed. Factor that $13 fuel estimate into your travel budget before heading out. Given the straightforward nature of the route, prioritize leaving outside of standard rush hours to make the most of the highway sections.
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 39 miles from Moodus, CT, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.8 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 17 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39 miles or 1h 1m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Stamford, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Moodus, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Moodus, CT
This is one driving day of about 78.1 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Moodus, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on CT 15 for about 53.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.1 and 75.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
13.1 mi into trip|~24m in|CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
21.2 mi into trip|~38m 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
21.6 mi into trip|~39m 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
21.9 mi into trip|~39m 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
7
75.8 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward CT 137: High Ridge Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward CT 137: High Ridge Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.57 one way
$25.15 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$13.83
$27.67
premium
$4.86
$14.96
$29.91
diesel
$5.61
$17.24
$34.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.4
0
$8.20
$3.75
Efficient EV
19.5
0
$6.83
$3.12
EV Truck/SUV
31.2
0
$10.93
$5.00
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Moodus, CT
Late night
in Moodus on Sunday
Local time
12:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North Stamford, CT
Late night
in North Stamford on Sunday
Local time
12:41 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 53m 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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 67.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 69% of your travel time will be spent on major routes. You will rely heavily on CT 15, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 53.8 miles. The journey begins with local navigation through Portland-Cobalt Road and Meriden Road before transitioning into higher-speed highway driving. This mix of local roads and sustained interstate travel keeps the pace relatively steady throughout the 1-hour and 53-minute trip. By the time you reach North Stamford, you will have navigated a blend of regional transit paths that prioritize speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.8 mi on CT 15.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 15 and Meriden Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.1 miles in near CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.1 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 13.1 miles (CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
329 ft58 ft
Total Climb
701 ft
Total Descent
676 ft
Highest Point
329 ft
~5.6 mi in
Elevation Range
271 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 78.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.8 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 North 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 13.1 miles (CT 17; CT 66 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 North Stamford, CT before heading back.
