North Stamford, CT to Tolland, CT is 92 miles and takes about 1 hour 59 minutes via Wilbur Cross Parkway and I 84, 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. Expect a predominantly highway experience for this relatively short drive. It's a straightforward route, ideal if you're looking for a quick transit between these two points without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46 miles from North Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Wilbur Cross Parkway
30.4 mi
37m
Merritt Parkway
26.7 mi
35m
I 84
15.9 mi
18m
Berlin Turnpike
15.7 mi
20m
High Ridge Road
1.7 mi
3m
Merrow Road
0.6 mi
<1m
North Stamford Road
0.3 mi
1m
Tolland Green
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 Tolland, 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
14 mi·16 min·I 84; US 6
Toward I 84 East: BostonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 68Toward CT 195: Tolland, MansfieldUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto CT 195
0.6 mi·58 sec·Merrow Road
13
Continue on CT 195
0.2 mi·29 sec·Tolland Green
14
Continue on Tolland Green
142 ft·5 sec·Tolland Green
15
Arrive at destination
Tolland Green
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour 59 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving anytime in the morning or early afternoon should allow you to complete the 92-mile trip with plenty of daylight remaining. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, you won't need to worry excessively about refueling stops, though it's always wise to top off before heading out. There are no recommended stops, so if you feel the need to stretch your legs, any exit with services will do. Keep an eye out for the transition from the Wilbur Cross Parkway to I 84, as it's a key point in the route.
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 46 miles from North Stamford, CT, or about 1h 1m 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 20 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46 miles or 1h 1m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tolland, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North Stamford, CT
This is one driving day of about 92 miles and 1h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 90.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|North Stamford Road
Continue onto North Stamford Road
Navigation decision point
3
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|CT 137 / High Ridge Road
Turn left onto CT 137 / High Ridge Road
Navigation decision point
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
8
90.9 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward CT 195: Tolland, Mansfield
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 68
Toward CT 195: Tolland, Mansfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.26 one way
$32.53 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$17.81
$35.63
premium
$5.29
$19.16
$38.31
diesel
$5.35
$19.38
$38.76
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
$16
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.6
0
$9.66
$4.42
Efficient EV
23
0
$8.05
$3.68
EV Truck/SUV
36.8
0
$12.88
$5.89
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
North Stamford, CT
Afternoon
in North Stamford on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Cloudy
S 2 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tolland, CT
Afternoon
in Tolland on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
82°F
Kensington, CT
46 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
6 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
1h 59m 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 drive is 96% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on the interstate. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 30.4 miles on the Wilbur Cross Parkway. You'll notice a high density of exits as you navigate the highway system. The transition from parkway to interstate is seamless, keeping you moving efficiently.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Stamford Road.
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 92 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (North Stamford Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (CT 137 / High Ridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (CT 15 / Merritt Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
665 ft13 ft
Total Climb
986 ft
Total Descent
547 ft
Highest Point
665 ft
~92 mi in
Elevation Range
652 ft
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 1h 59m. Total distance: 92 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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 9 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. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Stamford Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (CT 137 / High Ridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (CT 15 / Merritt Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Tolland, CT before heading back.
