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Trip from Old Lyme, CT to Danbury, CT

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 39m

Distance

77 mi

124 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 32m ★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Old Lyme, CT, CT

Old Lyme, CT

MART PRODUCTION

city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States

Danbury, CT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Old Lyme, CT to Danbury, CT is 77 miles and takes about 1 hour 39 minutes via I-84, CT-9, and I-691, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive primarily within Connecticut, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a consistent pace for most of the journey, making it a convenient option for a quick trip. With a recommended one-day duration, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

38.5 miles from Old Lyme, CT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 84 34.6 mi 42m
CT 9 23.3 mi 27m
I 691 7.8 mi 9m
Meriden Road 4.2 mi 5m
Washington Street 2.6 mi 5m
North Main Street 0.9 mi 1m
Shore Road 0.4 mi <1m
Ferry Road 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 84 — 34.6 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Old Lyme, CT and Danbury, CT.

1

Start on this road

33 ft · 4 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Library Lane

206 ft · 16 sec · Library Lane
3

Turn left onto Lyme Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Lyme Street
4

Turn right onto Ferry Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Ferry Road
5

At end of road, turn right onto CT 156

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Shore Road
6

Continue on US 1; CT 156

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Neck Road
7

Take the ramp

0.8 mi · 1 min
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 69 Toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
10

Continue on CT 9

23 mi · 27 min · CT 9
11

Turn left

150 ft · 3 sec
Toward CT 66 West: Middletown
12

Continue on Washington Street

2.6 mi · 5 min · Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Continue on CT 66

4.2 mi · 5 min · Meriden Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 691

7.8 mi · 9 min · I 691
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 8B Toward I 84 West: Waterbury
16

Merge onto I 84

35 mi · 42 min · I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 5 Toward CT 39, CT 53: Downtown Danbury, Bethel Use the slight right lane.
18

Turn right onto CT 39

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
19

Turn right onto Library Place

234 ft · 10 sec · Library Place
20

Arrive at destination

Library Place

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 1 hour 39 minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering significant flexibility. Aim to depart mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in either Old Lyme or Danbury. You can easily complete this drive without needing extensive stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 34.6 miles on I-84. Planning for a quick fuel stop just before entering this longer segment will provide peace of mind.

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 38.5 miles from Old Lyme, CT, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.6 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 17 miles or 22m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 38.5 miles or 51m 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 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Danbury, CT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Old Lyme, CT so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Old Lyme, CT

This is one driving day of about 77 miles and 1h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Old Lyme, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 84 for about 34.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cheshire, CT

39 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Middletown, CT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Meriden, CT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.5 miles from Old Lyme, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Bora Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bethel, Connecticut

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 71.5

Hours: 12–10 pm

+12038267808

Visit website

Tuscany Restaurant & Pizzeria

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Plantsville, Connecticut

0.6 mi

Fratelli's Italian Restaurant - Plantsville - By Chef Hector Delgado

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Southington, Connecticut

0.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Sandy Hook Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sandy Hook, Connecticut

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 66

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12033041821

Visit website

Bora Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 71.5

Bethel, Connecticut

Hours: 12–10 pm

+12038267808

Visit website

Tuscany Restaurant & Pizzeria

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 38.5

Plantsville, Connecticut

Hours: 4–8 pm

+18606282224

Visit website

Fratelli's Italian Restaurant - Plantsville - By Chef Hector Delgado

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 38.5

Southington, Connecticut

Hours: 4–9:30 pm

+18606288168

Visit website

My Place Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 66

Newtown, Connecticut

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+12032707061

Visit website

Savour Cafe & Bakery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 5.5

Centerbrook, Connecticut

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+18606624438

Visit website

Violi's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 33

Meriden, Connecticut

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12036394830

Visit website

Diorio Restaurant & Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $50 to $10 mile 49.5

Waterbury, Connecticut

Hours: 5–10 pm

+12037545111

Visit website

Trellis Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 77

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+12037920494

Sandy Hook Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 66

Sandy Hook, Connecticut

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12033041821

Visit website

#theCafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 71.5

Brookfield, Connecticut

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+12035468299

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 66

Newtown, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 77

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 77

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 77

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 77

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 77

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 71.5

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 71.5

Danbury, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 5.5

Essex, Connecticut

Hours: Closed

+18604243200

Visit website

Florence Griswold Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18604345542

Visit website

Connecticut River Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 5.5

Essex, Connecticut

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18607678269

Visit website

Ferry Landing State Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Old Lyme, Connecticut

+18604243000

Visit website

Holy Land USA Waterbury

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 49.5

Waterbury, Connecticut

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18553707770

Visit website

Curioporium

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 38.5

Southington, CT

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+18604262256

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 75.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Library Lane

Turn right onto Library Lane

Navigation decision point

6
1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 69 Toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
7
2.1 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward CT 9 North: Essex, Hartford
6
40.4 mi into trip | ~54m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 84 West: Waterbury

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 8B Toward I 84 West: Waterbury
8
75.9 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Take the exit toward CT 39, CT 53: Downtown Danbury, Bethel

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 5 Toward CT 39, CT 53: Downtown Danbury, Bethel

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.40 one way

$24.79 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $13.64 $27.28
premium $4.86 $14.75 $29.49
diesel $5.61 $17.00 $34.00

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.1 0 $8.08 $3.70
Efficient EV 19.3 0 $6.74 $3.08
EV Truck/SUV 30.8 0 $10.78 $4.93

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Old Lyme, CT

Late night in Old Lyme on Sunday

Local time

3:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Danbury, CT

Late night in Danbury on Sunday

Local time

3:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

19 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 39m on the road

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Weir Farm National Historical Park

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...

9 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 77
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 85% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-84, CT-9, and I-691, which offer consistent speeds and straightforward navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 34.6 miles on I-84, so be prepared for a sustained period of highway driving. While the profile is largely highway, these roads will efficiently move you across the state.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.6 mi on I 84.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 84 and CT 9. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Library Lane.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 77 miles you will encounter 13 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 (Library Lane): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Danbury, CT

Full guide →

Danbury - nicknamed Hat City - is a city in the interior of Fairfield County, Connecticut, making it part of the Litchfield Hills region.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 77 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 34.6 miles on I 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Danbury, 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 (Library Lane): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Danbury, CT before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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