Origin
Norwalk, CT
Late night in Norwalk on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
82.3 mi
132 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norwalk, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Tariffville, CT
David Kanigan
Norwalk, CT to Tariffville, CT is 82.3 miles and takes about 1h 49m via Wilbur Cross Parkway and I-91, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Connecticut, taking you from the coastal Northeast region inland. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward journey for a single day. Expect a direct route that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently. This is a good option if you're looking for a quick transit 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
41.1 miles from Norwalk, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wilbur Cross Parkway | 27 mi | 33m |
| I 91 | 24.4 mi | 30m |
| I 95 | 12.4 mi | 16m |
| CT 8 | 5 mi | 5m |
| Blue Hills Avenue | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Merritt Parkway | 3 mi | 4m |
| CT 189 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Bloomfield Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Norwalk, CT and Tariffville, CT.
Start on East Avenue
Continue on East Avenue
Continue on East Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Continue on CT 8; CT 25
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8
Take the exit
Merge onto CT 15
Continue on CT 15
Take the exit
Merge onto I 91
Keep slight right at fork onto I 91
Take the exit
Turn left onto CT 305
Continue on CT 305
Turn right onto CT 187
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 189
Turn right onto Tunxis Road
Arrive at destination
Given the short 1h 49m duration, you have plenty of flexibility on when to depart for this 82.3-mile drive. Leaving Norwalk, CT in the morning or early afternoon should allow ample time to reach Tariffville, CT before evening. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, you won't need to worry extensively about refueling stops, though it's always wise to top off before departing. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 27 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway, so plan your restroom breaks accordingly before entering this longer section if needed.
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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.1 miles or 54m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tariffville, CT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Norwalk, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Norwalk, CT
This is one driving day of about 82.3 miles and 1h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 41.1 miles from Norwalk, 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 13.4 and 74.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8 toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 91 North, CT 66 East: Hartford, Middletown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward CT 305: Bloomfield Avenue, Windsor Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$13.25 one way
$26.50 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $14.58 | $29.15 |
| premium | $4.86 | $15.76 | $31.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.17 | $36.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.64 | $3.95 |
| Efficient EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.20 | $3.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.52 | $5.27 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Late night in Norwalk on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Tariffville on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This route is heavily focused on highway driving, with 89% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 27 miles on the Wilbur Cross Parkway, offering a consistent pace. The drive transitions to I-91, maintaining a high-speed character for most of the 82.3 miles. While not overly complex, the highway-centric nature means you'll be navigating substantial traffic corridors for the majority of the trip. It's designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and I 91. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.4 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.3 miles you will encounter 15 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 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.3 miles (CT 8): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Norwalk, CT and Tariffville, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury, New Haven, Middletown and Windsor Center.
Waterbury
New Haven
Middletown
Windsor Center
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 82.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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