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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 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
51 mi·1 hr·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 90Toward 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.
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
$16.68 one way
$33.37 round trip
$4.43/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.93
$18.57
$37.14
premium
$5.30
$19.95
$39.90
diesel
$6.18
$23.26
$46.51
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: 33.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
North Stamford, CT
Morning
in North Stamford on Tuesday
Local time
11:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Old Mystic, CT
Morning
in Old Mystic on Tuesday
Local time
11:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
N 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 6m 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?
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 Effort8/10
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 ft9 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.
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.
Yes — we found about 11 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 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. There are 11 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 Old Mystic, CT before heading back.
