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
.
Main Roads
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
Longest stretch:
Wilbur Cross Parkway
— 27 mi, about 33m
Traffic on I-91
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,977 veh/hr typical
· worst 7,011
Quietest
2 AM
~469 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 34 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 Norwalk, CT and Tariffville, CT.
1
Start on East Avenue
272 ft·12 sec·East Avenue
2
Continue on East Avenue
267 ft·6 sec·East Avenue
3
Continue on East Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·East Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 95 North: New Haven
5
Merge onto I 95
12 mi·16 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 27AToward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, WaterburyUse the right lane.
7
Continue on CT 8; CT 25
3.2 mi·3 min·CT 8; CT 25
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8
1.8 mi·2 min·CT 8
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 6Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New HavenUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto CT 15
3.0 mi·4 min·Merritt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CT 15
27 mi·33 min·Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 65AToward I 91 North, CT 66 East: Hartford, MiddletownUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 91
18 mi·21 min·I 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 91
6.7 mi·8 min·I 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 37Toward CT 305: Bloomfield Avenue, Windsor CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto CT 305
1.5 mi·3 min·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on CT 305
1.0 mi·1 min·Old Windsor Road
18
Turn right onto CT 187
3.3 mi·5 min·Blue Hills Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 189
1.7 mi·2 min·CT 189
Toward Tariffville, Granby
20
Turn right onto Tunxis Road
439 ft·15 sec·Tunxis Road
21
Arrive at destination
Tunxis Road
Trip Plan
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.
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 41.1 miles from Norwalk, CT, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 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.
Before You Leave
+
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.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Norwalk, 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 27 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 15
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.
8
13.4 mi into trip|~18m in
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
Use the right lane.
Exit 27A
Toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury
6
17.3 mi into trip|~23m in|CT 8
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
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
8
19 mi into trip|~25m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
8
49.8 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 65A
Toward I 91 North, CT 66 East: Hartford, Middle...
8
74.6 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 37
Toward CT 305: Bloomfield Avenue, Windsor Cente...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.55 one way
$29.10 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$15.94
$31.87
premium
$5.29
$17.14
$34.27
diesel
$5.35
$17.33
$34.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
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, 2026-06-01.
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Norwalk, CT
Afternoon
in Norwalk on Wednesday
Local time
4:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Clear
W 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tariffville, CT
Afternoon
in Tariffville on Wednesday
Local time
4:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Clear
W 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
74°F
Middlefield, CT
41 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
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
1h 49m 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...
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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 82.3
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 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.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27 mi on Wilbur Cross Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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.
Driving Effort10/10
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
260 ft19 ft
Total Climb
591 ft
Total Descent
470 ft
Highest Point
260 ft
~52.9 mi in
Elevation Range
241 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
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.
Norwalk is a city of 91,000 people (2020) in Fairfield County, in the state of Connecticut in the United States of America. It includes the villages of: East Norwalk, West Norwalk, Cranbury, Silvermine, Winnipauk, Wilson Point, Harbor View, Rowayton and South Norwalk, known locally as "SoNo." Norwalk, probably due mostly to its proximity to New York City, is home to many large companies.
Top landmarks
•Silvermine — human settlement in Norwalk, Connecticut, United States of America
•Peck Ledge Light — lighthouse in Connecticut, United States
•Lockwood-Mathews Mansion — mansion and historic house museum in Norwalk, Connecticut, USA
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Tariffville, CT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 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.
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 Tariffville, CT before heading back.
