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Trip from North Stamford, CT to Old Mystic, CT

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 6m

Distance

95.6 mi

154 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 57m ★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 1m

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

city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States

North Stamford, CT

David Kanigan

Downtown Old Mystic, CT, CT

Old Mystic, CT

MART PRODUCTION

Trip Overview

North Stamford, CT to Old Mystic, CT is 95.6 miles and takes about 2h 6m via I 95 and Merritt Parkway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Connecticut, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Given its relatively short duration and high highway percentage, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion. Expect a straightforward drive with minimal complexity, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

47.8 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 59.8 mi 1h 13m
Merritt Parkway 26.7 mi 35m
High Ridge Road 1.7 mi 3m
Forbes Avenue 1.2 mi 2m
Whitehall Avenue 1 mi 1m
Long Wharf Drive 0.9 mi 2m
Frontage Road 0.7 mi <1m
North Stamford Road 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 59.8 mi, about 1h 13m

Traffic on I-95

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,230 veh/hr typical

Quietest

2 AM

~485 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.7×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 35 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 Old Mystic, 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 37 Toward I 95, US 1: Milford, New London Use the slight right lane.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 2A Toward I 95 North: New Haven Use 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 46 Toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive Use 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

51 mi · 1 hr · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 90 Toward CT 27: Mystic
19

Keep slight left at fork

392 ft · 13 sec
20

Turn left onto CT 27

358 ft · 7 sec · Greenmanville Avenue
21

Continue on CT 27

1.0 mi · 1 min · Whitehall Avenue
22

Continue on CT 27

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Main Street
23

Turn left onto CT 27

506 ft · 10 sec · Route 27
24

Arrive at destination

CT 27

Trip Plan

For this 2h 6m drive, leaving anytime in the morning should allow you to reach Old Mystic, CT with plenty of daylight remaining. Since the total distance is just over 95 miles and the fuel cost is estimated at $16, you won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops. The flexibility of a shorter trip means you can depart when it's most convenient. Pay attention to the exit numbers as you transition from I 95 to local routes in the Old Mystic area to ensure a smooth arrival.

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 47.8 miles from North Stamford, CT, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 47.8 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 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Old Mystic, 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 95.6 miles and 2h 6m.

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 59.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown New Haven, CT, CT

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New Haven, CT

48 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.

Popular next leg

New Haven, CT to Old Mystic, CT

56 mi · 1h 10m

Pacing Suggestions

Heritage Village, CT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

East Haven, CT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.8 miles from North Stamford, 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 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

$15.92 one way

$31.85 round trip

$4.23/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.70 $17.67 $35.34
premium $5.07 $19.07 $38.13
diesel $5.60 $21.07 $42.15

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: 33.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.7 0 $10.04 $4.59
Efficient EV 23.9 0 $8.37 $3.82
EV Truck/SUV 38.2 0 $13.38 $6.12

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 Sep 3, 2026

Origin

North Stamford, CT

Late night in North Stamford on Friday

Local time

4:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Old Mystic, CT

Late night in Old Mystic on Friday

Local time

4:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°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

15 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 6m 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?

You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 91% of the 95.6 miles on high-speed roads like I 95 and the Merritt Parkway. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 59.8 miles on I 95. You'll transition from the Merritt Parkway onto I 95, which features a higher density of exits as you approach your destination. The final portion of the drive involves leaving the main highway system onto surface roads.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.8 mi on I 95.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 Effort 8/10

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 95.6 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

226 ft 9 ft

Total Climb

215 ft

Total Descent

429 ft

Highest Point

226 ft

Elevation Range

217 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 Old Mystic, CT, road signs begin pointing toward New London along the way.

New London

29 mi in | ~40m

About the Cities

Starting in North Stamford, CT

Full guide →

Founded 1641

Top landmarks

  • Marion Castle — historic mansion in Stamford, Connecticut, USA
  • Fish Church — church building in Stamford, Connecticut
  • Stamford Harbor Ledge Light — lighthouse in Stamford, Connecticut, United States

Arriving in Old Mystic, CT

Full guide →

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 2h 6m. Total distance: 95.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 59.8 miles on I 95. 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 Old Mystic, 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 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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Old Mystic, 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 FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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