If you are planning a trip from Norwich to Monroe, expect a straightforward 72.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can anticipate a fuel budget of approximately $12, making it a very cost-effective commute within Connecticut. Since you are staying within the Northeast region, you will remain in a familiar environment throughout the transit. The drive relies heavily on major thoroughfares, providing a consistent experience from start to finish. Overall, it is a practical, no-nonsense path designed for efficiency rather than leisure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.3 miles from Norwich, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
38.2 mi
45m
I 395
11.2 mi
12m
Derby Turnpike
4.7 mi
8m
Leavenworth Road
3.4 mi
5m
Howe Avenue
1.7 mi
3m
Shelton Road
1.6 mi
2m
New Haven Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Forbes Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 38.2 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norwich, CT and Monroe, CT.
1
Start on Courthouse Square
25 ft·9 sec·Courthouse Square
2
Turn sharp left onto Main Street
333 ft·6 sec·Main Street
3
Turn slight left onto Market Street
172 ft·3 sec·Market Street
4
Turn right onto CT 2
0.1 mi·25 sec·Water Street
5
Merge onto CT 2
112 ft·3 sec·Chelsea Harbor Drive
6
Continue on CT 2; CT 32
456 ft·21 sec·Washington Street
7
Turn left onto CT 32; CT 82
0.2 mi·23 sec·West Side Boulevard
8
Continue on CT 82
1.2 mi·2 min·West Main Street
9
Continue on CT 82
0.7 mi·1 min·Salem Turnpike
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
11
Merge onto I 395; CT 2A
11 mi·12 min·I 395; CT 2A
12
Merge onto I 95
38 mi·45 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 51Toward US 1: Frontage Road, Lighthouse PointUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto US 1
0.4 mi·29 sec·Frontage Road
15
Continue on US 1
1.5 mi·2 min·Forbes Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 1
0.8 mi·1 min·Water Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 1
277 ft·4 sec·State Street
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 1
0.1 mi·18 sec·Union Avenue
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto Columbus Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Columbus Avenue
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 1
0.5 mi·50 sec·Boston Post Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto Cellini Place
351 ft·17 sec·Cellini Place
22
Turn right onto CT 122
1.0 mi·1 min·Forest Road
23
Turn left onto CT 34
0.3 mi·23 sec·Derby Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on CT 34
4.7 mi·8 min·Derby Turnpike
25
Continue on CT 34
1.6 mi·2 min·New Haven Avenue
26
Continue on CT 34
0.3 mi·33 sec·Derby Avenue
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto CT 34
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto Bridge Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·Bridge Street
29
Turn right onto CT 110
1.7 mi·3 min·Howe Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on CT 110
3.4 mi·5 min·Leavenworth Road
31
Continue on CT 110
1.6 mi·2 min·Shelton Road
32
Enter roundabout onto CT 111
30 ft·0 sec·Monroe Turnpike
33
Continue on CT 111
0.2 mi·27 sec·Monroe Turnpike
34
Turn left onto Fan Hill Road
382 ft·10 sec·Fan Hill Road
35
Arrive at destination
Fan Hill Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short 1 hour and 40 minute drive, you have a lot of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, keeping an eye on traffic patterns along I-95 is a smart move to ensure you don't get stuck in peak congestion. Since the route is direct and requires zero scheduled stops, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to plan for long breaks. Make sure your fuel levels are sufficient before hitting the highway, as the $12 estimated cost is based on a direct run. As a specific tip, check the real-time status of the Derby Turnpike before you leave, as local road conditions can sometimes affect your final arrival time more than the highway portions.
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 36.3 miles from Norwich, CT, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.2 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.3 miles or 44m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monroe, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Norwich, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Norwich, CT
This is one driving day of about 72.6 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Norwich, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 38.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 65.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Main Street
Turn sharp left onto Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
14 mi into trip|~18m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
52.1 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Frontage Road, Lighthouse Point
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 51
Toward US 1: Frontage Road, Lighthouse Point
7
55.1 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|US 1 / State Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 1 / State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
65.6 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|CT 110 / Howe Avenue
Turn right onto CT 110 / Howe Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.69 one way
$23.37 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$12.86
$25.72
premium
$4.86
$13.90
$27.81
diesel
$5.61
$16.03
$32.06
Estimated Tolls: $0.38
Derby Turnpike
(4.7 mi)$0.33
Salem Turnpike
(0.7 mi)$0.05
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
$12
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.8
0
$7.62
$3.48
Efficient EV
18.2
0
$6.35
$2.90
EV Truck/SUV
29
0
$10.16
$4.65
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Norwich, CT
Morning
in Norwich on Tuesday
Local time
6:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Sunny
S 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Monroe, CT
Morning
in Monroe on Tuesday
Local time
6:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Westbrook, CT
36 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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 40m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 76% of your drive will be spent on major roads. Your journey begins by navigating I-395 and I-95, where you will tackle the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip—a 38.2-mile segment that keeps you moving at a steady pace. As you transition off the interstates and onto the Derby Turnpike, the character of the road shifts from a high-speed interstate grind to a more localized flow. The path is built for function, moving you reliably across the state with few deviations. You will spend the majority of your time focused on lane management and highway traffic rather than winding backroads.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.2 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 early in the drive near Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.6 miles you will encounter 19 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: near the start (Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 14 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.1 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
229 ft25 ft
Total Climb
300 ft
Total Descent
96 ft
Highest Point
229 ft
~62.2 mi in
Elevation Range
205 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Norwich, CT to Monroe, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Lighthouse Point along the way.
Norwich, also known as The Rose of New England is a city in southeastern Connecticut surrounded by other thriving Connecticut cities such as Hartford, New Haven, and New London. In 2018, the population was 38,000. Norwich was founded in 1659 when settlers from Old Saybrook, Connecticut, purchased land from Chief Uncas, leader of the Mohegan Native American tribe. Because of this, with a short drive you can enter Uncasville where the magnificent Mohegan Sun Casino is located.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 72.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.2 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.38 in tolls one way, starting with Derby 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.
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 Monroe, 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: near the start (Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 14 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Monroe, CT before heading back.
