Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
116.7 mi
188 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Stamford, CT
David Kanigan
Sterling, CT
MART PRODUCTION
North Stamford, CT to Sterling, CT is 116.7 miles and takes about 2h 30m via I 95 and I 395, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Connecticut, traversing the Northeast region. Given its relatively short length and predominantly highway profile, it's a straightforward trip suitable for a single day. You'll mostly be on major interstates, making for efficient travel between these two points. Plan for a quick and direct connection without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
58.4 miles from North Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 47.1 mi | 57m |
| I 395 | 29.6 mi | 32m |
| Merritt Parkway | 26.7 mi | 35m |
| Plainfield Pike | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| High Ridge Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Forbes Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Church Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Long Wharf Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,414 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~603 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 35 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between North Stamford, CT and Sterling, CT.
Start on Cascade Road
Turn straight onto North Stamford Road
Continue on North Stamford Road
Turn left onto CT 137
Take the ramp
Merge onto CT 15
Take the exit
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
Continue on East Street
Turn right onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Turn right onto US 1
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit onto I 395
Take the exit
Turn right onto CT 14A
Turn left onto Church Street
At end of road, turn right onto CT 14
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 2.5-hour drive, consider leaving North Stamford, CT, outside of peak morning or afternoon commute times to avoid potential slowdowns on I 95. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $19, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. The longest stretch without an exit is over 47 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking. Pay attention to the transition off the main highways as you near Sterling, CT, as this is where the driving environment will change from interstate cruising to local roads.
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.
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 26 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.4 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sterling, CT than in the middle of the route.
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 116.7 miles and 2h 30m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 58.4 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 29 and 81.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
Take the exit toward I 95 North: New Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto I 395 toward I 395 North: Norwich, Plainfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$19.44 one way
$38.88 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.70 | $21.57 | $43.14 |
| premium | $5.07 | $23.28 | $46.55 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $25.72 | $51.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35 | 0 | $12.25 | $5.60 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.21 | $4.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.34 | $7.47 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Night in North Stamford on Tuesday
Local time
10:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Night in Sterling on Tuesday
Local time
10:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
You'll spend 89% of this 116.7-mile drive on highways, primarily I 95 and I 395. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 47.1 miles, likely on I 95. Expect a consistent cruising experience with limited exits for significant periods. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur towards the end of your trip as you approach Sterling, CT.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 395. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 116.7 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 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; at 39.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
559 ft
Total Descent
486 ft
Highest Point
299 ft
~116.7 mi in
Elevation Range
291 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Stamford, CT and Sterling, CT, road signs point toward New London and Plainfield.
New London
Plainfield
Founded 1641
Top landmarks
Founded 1794
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 116.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from North Stamford, CT or browse trips ending in Sterling, CT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CT road trips.
