North Stamford, CT to Stafford, CT is 102.4 miles and takes about 2h 13m via Wilbur Cross Parkway, Merritt Parkway, and I-84, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Connecticut, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Given its predominantly highway profile, expect a relatively straightforward drive focused on covering ground efficiently. It's a good option if you need a direct connection between these two points without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.2 miles from North Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Wilbur Cross Parkway
30.4 mi
37m
Merritt Parkway
26.7 mi
35m
I 84
20.3 mi
23m
Berlin Turnpike
15.7 mi
20m
River Road
4.3 mi
6m
East Street
2.2 mi
3m
High Ridge Road
1.7 mi
3m
East Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Wilbur Cross Parkway
— 30.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Stamford, CT and Stafford, 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
Continue on CT 15
30 mi·37 min·Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 5; CT 15
16 mi·20 min·Berlin Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 84; US 6
1.4 mi·1 min·I 84; US 6
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6
19 mi·21 min·I 84; US 6
Toward I 84 East: BostonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·45 sec
Exit 70Toward CT 32: Stafford SpringsUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto CT 32
4.3 mi·6 min·River Road
13
Enter roundabout onto CT 190
26 ft·0 sec·East Main Street
14
Continue on CT 190
107 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
15
Continue on CT 190
0.3 mi·38 sec·East Main Street
16
Turn left onto CT 19
2.2 mi·3 min·East Street
17
Arrive at destination
CT 19
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 2-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid peak traffic, especially if you're heading out on a weekday. Since the drive is under 3 hours and has no designated stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits you best. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without an exit could be up to 30.4 miles on the Wilbur Cross Parkway. Planning your fuel stops before hitting that section would be wise, as service areas can be spread out on parkways.
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 51.2 miles from North Stamford, CT, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.4 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.2 miles or 1h 8m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stafford, 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 102.4 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from North Stamford, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Wilbur Cross Parkway for about 30.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 99.9 — 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.
7
76.5 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|I 84; US 6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6 toward I 84 East: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 84 East: Boston
7
95.3 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward CT 32: Stafford Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70
Toward CT 32: Stafford Springs
4
95.6 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|CT 32 / River Road
Turn left onto CT 32 / River Road
Navigation decision point
5
99.9 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|CT 190 / East Main Street
Enter roundabout onto CT 190 / East Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.10 one way
$36.20 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$19.83
$39.65
premium
$5.29
$21.32
$42.65
diesel
$5.35
$21.57
$43.14
Estimated Tolls: $1.10
Berlin Turnpike
(15.7 mi)$1.10
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.7
0
$10.75
$4.92
Efficient EV
25.6
0
$8.96
$4.10
EV Truck/SUV
41
0
$14.34
$6.55
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
North Stamford, CT
Afternoon
in North Stamford on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Sunny
N 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Stafford, CT
Afternoon
in Stafford on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Sunny
N 5 to 8 mph1% 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
1 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 13m 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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 10.6
From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 102.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-oriented, with 91% of the 102.4 miles on major roads like the Wilbur Cross Parkway, Merritt Parkway, and I-84. You'll encounter the longest unbroken stretch of highway at 30.4 miles on the Wilbur Cross Parkway. Expect a constant flow of traffic and frequent exits as you transition between these parkways and the interstate. The drive will feel like a typical highway commute for the majority of the trip.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.4 mi on Wilbur Cross Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and Merritt Parkway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near CT 15 / Merritt Parkway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.4 miles you will encounter 10 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 2.3 miles (CT 15 / Merritt Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.5 miles (I 84; US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 102.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m 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 30.4 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.10 in tolls one way, starting with Berlin Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 13 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 76.5 miles (I 84; US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Weir Farm National Historical Park and New England National Scenic Trail. 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 Stafford, CT before heading back.
