Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 7m
Distance
53.1 mi
86 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Britain, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Groton, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from New Britain to Groton is a straightforward 53.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 7 minutes. Since the entire trip is contained within the Northeast region of Connecticut, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion. You won't need to worry about overnight logistics, making it an ideal candidate for a quick getaway. Budgeting around $9 for fuel covers the trip comfortably. This route is efficient for those who prefer avoiding major interstates, relying instead on local surface streets to reach the coast.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 9 | 34.1 mi | 40m |
| I 95 | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Mitchell Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Ellis Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| US 1 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Ledyard Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between New Britain, CT and Groton, CT.
Start on Whiting Street
Turn left onto CT 71
Turn left onto Ellis Street
Turn right onto Columbus Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto CT 9
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95; US 1
Take the exit onto US 1
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on North Street
Continue on Mitchell Street
Turn right onto Ledyard Avenue
Turn sharp right onto Smith Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.6 miles from New Britain, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 53.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Columbus Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Merge onto CT 9
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, US 1 North: New London, Providence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 1 toward US 1 North: Thames Street, Downtown Groton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn sharp right onto Smith Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Regular Gas
$8.55 one way
$17.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $9.41 | $18.81 |
| premium | $4.86 | $10.17 | $20.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.72 | $23.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.58 | $2.55 |
| Efficient EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.65 | $2.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.43 | $3.40 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in New Britain on Tuesday
Local time
5:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Patchy Fog then Light Rain
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 19 at 2:19AM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Late night in Groton on Tuesday
Local time
5:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Rain Showers
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 19 at 2:19AM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
42°F
East Hampton, CT
27 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate through local transit corridors like South Main Street, Ellis Street, and Columbus Boulevard. Because the path relies entirely on local roads, the drive feels more like a steady, connected series of transitions through the state's interior. You won't encounter long, monotonous stretches of highway here, so stay alert and ready for frequent turns. It is a practical, utilitarian way to traverse this part of Connecticut.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 9 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Columbus Boulevard.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.4 miles (Columbus Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (CT 9): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from New Britain, CT to Groton, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Providence along the way.
Providence
Founded 1850
New Britain is a city in Connecticut. The "Hardware City" is the official nickname of the city.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 7m. Total distance: 53.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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