North Stamford, CT to Ledyard, CT is 94.9 miles and takes about 2h 8m via I 95 and Merritt Parkway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Connecticut, traversing the Northeast region. Given the short duration and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a single day. You'll likely find it a convenient connection between these two points in the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.5 miles from North Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
53.8 mi
1h 6m
Merritt Parkway
26.7 mi
35m
Center Groton Road
2.9 mi
5m
CT 184
2.8 mi
5m
High Ridge Road
1.7 mi
3m
Forbes Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
North Road
1.2 mi
2m
Long Wharf Drive
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 53.8 mi, about 1h 6m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,465 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~607 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 30 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Stamford, CT and Ledyard, CT.
1
Start on Cascade Road
139 ft·6 sec·Cascade Road
2
Turn straight onto North Stamford Road
475 ft·18 sec·North Stamford Road
3
Continue on North Stamford Road
0.2 mi·50 sec·North Stamford Road
4
Turn left onto CT 137
1.7 mi·3 min·High Ridge Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
6
Merge onto CT 15
27 mi·35 min·Merritt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.4 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward I 95, US 1: Milford, New LondonUse the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 2AToward I 95 North: New HavenUse the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 95
9.0 mi·12 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·1 min
Exit 46Toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
0.9 mi·2 min·Long Wharf Drive
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on East Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·East Street
13
Turn right onto US 1
0.1 mi·9 sec·Water Street
14
Continue on US 1
1.2 mi·2 min·Forbes Avenue
15
Turn right onto US 1
0.7 mi·48 sec·Frontage Road
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 North
17
Merge onto I 95
45 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto CT 184
2.8 mi·5 min·CT 184
Exit 86Toward CT 184
19
Turn left onto CT 117
1.2 mi·2 min·North Road
20
Continue on CT 117
2.9 mi·5 min·Center Groton Road
21
Turn right onto Colonel Ledyard Highway
297 ft·13 sec·Colonel Ledyard Highway
22
Turn left onto Ray Holdridge Circle
64 ft·2 sec·Ray Holdridge Circle
23
Arrive at destination
Ray Holdridge Circle
Trip Plan
Leaving North Stamford, CT, early in the morning or mid-afternoon can help you avoid the heaviest traffic, especially on I 95. Since this is a relatively short 2h 8m drive, you can easily complete it in one day without needing to break it up. The fuel cost is estimated at $17, so ensure your tank is full before departing. Keep an eye out for the transition from highway to Center Groton Road, as this marks the end of the primary highway portion of your route.
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 47.5 miles from North Stamford, CT, or about 1h 7m 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 21 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.5 miles or 1h 7m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ledyard, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Stamford, 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 North Stamford, CT
This is one driving day of about 94.9 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from North Stamford, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 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 2.3 and 39.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in|CT 15 / Merritt Parkway
Merge onto CT 15 / Merritt Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
29 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward I 95, US 1: Milford, New London
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 37
Toward I 95, US 1: Milford, New London
7
30.4 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: New Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 2A
Toward I 95 North: New Haven
8
39.7 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive
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 46
Toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive
6
39.9 mi into trip|~56m in|Long Wharf Drive
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.78 one way
$33.55 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$18.37
$36.75
premium
$5.29
$19.76
$39.52
diesel
$5.35
$19.99
$39.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.5
0
$9.96
$4.56
Efficient EV
23.7
0
$8.30
$3.80
EV Truck/SUV
38
0
$13.29
$6.07
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
North Stamford, CT
Afternoon
in North Stamford on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
NW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ledyard, CT
Afternoon
in Ledyard on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Clear
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 8m on the road
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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 88% of the 94.9 miles on major routes like I 95 and Merritt Parkway. You'll experience a longest stretch of 53.8 miles on I 95 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a consistent flow of traffic and frequent exits typical of interstate driving for most of the trip.
88% 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: 53.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Merritt Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near CT 15 / Merritt Parkway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 94.9 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 2.3 miles (CT 15 / Merritt Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
291 ft9 ft
Total Climb
362 ft
Total Descent
296 ft
Highest Point
291 ft
~94.9 mi in
Elevation Range
282 ft
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 North Stamford, CT to Ledyard, CT, road signs begin pointing toward New London along the way.
Ledyard is a town in Connecticut. It is home to one of the largest casinos in the world, Foxwoods, but you don't have to be 21 to have fun in this town! It also includes the village of Mashantucket. Nearby you can find the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Mystic Aquarium, Nathan Lester House and Sawmill Park.
Top landmarks
•Capt. Thomas Fanning Farmstead — historic farmstead
•Lamb Homestead — historic house in Ledyard, Connecticut, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 94.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.8 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Ledyard, 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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (CT 15 / Merritt Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 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 Ledyard, CT before heading back.
