North Stamford, CT to Thompson, CT is 132.3 miles and takes about 2h 44m via I-395 and Merritt Parkway, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Connecticut, moving from the Northeast region to itself. For the most part, you'll be on major highways, making for a straightforward trip. It's a practical route if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without extensive planning.
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
66.2 miles from North Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 395
49.9 mi
54m
I 95
47.1 mi
57m
Merritt Parkway
26.7 mi
35m
High Ridge Road
1.7 mi
3m
Forbes Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Long Wharf Drive
0.9 mi
2m
Frontage Road
0.7 mi
<1m
Thompson Hill Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 395
— 49.9 mi, about 54m
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 Thompson, 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
38 mi·44 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto I 395
36 mi·39 min·I 395
Exit 76Toward I 395 North: Norwich, Plainfield
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 395
14 mi·15 min·I 395
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 50Toward CT 200: North Grosvenordale, Thompson
21
Keep slight right at fork
130 ft·3 sec
22
Turn right onto CT 200
0.6 mi·1 min·Thompson Hill Road
23
Turn left onto CT 193
73 ft·1 sec·Thompson Road
24
Arrive at destination
CT 193
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 44m estimated driving time, leaving in the morning from North Stamford should allow you to reach Thompson with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $22, this is a manageable one-day trip. Pay attention to exit numbers on I-395, as the longest stretch without a major road change is nearly 50 miles. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid peak commuter traffic out of the Stamford area.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.2 miles from North Stamford, CT, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.9 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 29 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.2 miles or 1h 29m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thompson, 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 132.3 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from North Stamford, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 395 for about 49.9 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 18
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.
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.
6
81.4 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|I 395
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
Exit 76
Toward I 395 North: Norwich, Plainfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.39 one way
$46.77 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$25.62
$51.23
premium
$5.29
$27.55
$55.10
diesel
$5.35
$27.87
$55.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.7
0
$13.89
$6.35
Efficient EV
33.1
0
$11.58
$5.29
EV Truck/SUV
52.9
0
$18.52
$8.47
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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
47°F
Mostly Clear
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Thompson, CT
Afternoon
in Thompson on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
W 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
72°F
Norwich, CT
66 mi in
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 44m 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 is predominantly a highway drive, with 94% of the route utilizing major roads like I-395 and the Merritt Parkway. You'll encounter a long stretch of 49.9 miles on I-395, which means you can maintain steady speeds for a significant portion of the trip. The route is mostly highway profile, so expect fewer surface road transitions until closer to your destination.
94% 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: 49.9 mi on I 395.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 395 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 132.3 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
583 ft18 ft
Total Climb
699 ft
Total Descent
342 ft
Highest Point
583 ft
~132.3 mi in
Elevation Range
565 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Stamford, CT and Thompson, CT, road signs point toward New London and Plainfield.
New London
29 mi in|~40m
Plainfield
81.4 mi in|~1h 46m|via I 395
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 132.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.9 miles on I 395. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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 Thompson, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
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 Thompson, CT before heading back.
