Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
47m
Distance
34.4 mi
55 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Old Saybrook, CT
David Kanigan
Meriden, CT
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking for a quick transition between Old Saybrook and Meriden, this 34.4-mile trip is an efficient way to cross Connecticut. You can easily complete the journey in about 47 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion. Budget roughly $6 for fuel to cover the distance, which remains entirely within the Northeast region. Because the drive is short and direct, you do not need to worry about overnight accommodations or complicated logistics. It serves as a straightforward connection between these two points, allowing you to get where you need to go without unnecessary detours.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 9 | 22.1 mi | 26m |
| Meriden Road | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Washington Street | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| I 691 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Middlesex Turnpike | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Boston Post Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Colony Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Old Saybrook, CT and Meriden, CT.
Start on CT 154
Turn right onto US 1; CT 154
Continue on CT 154
Take the ramp
Merge onto CT 9
Turn left
Continue on Washington Street
Continue on CT 66
Continue on I 691
Take the exit
Turn straight onto State Street
Turn right onto Camp Street
At end of road, turn left onto Colony Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.2 miles from Old Saybrook, 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 2.4 and 33.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward CT 9 North: Middletown
Navigation decision point
Turn left toward CT 66 West: Middletown
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward Meriden
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Camp Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto Colony Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$5.54 one way
$11.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $6.09 | $12.19 |
| premium | $4.86 | $6.59 | $13.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.60 | $15.19 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.11
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$0
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.61 | $1.65 |
| Efficient EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.01 | $1.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.82 | $2.20 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Old Saybrook on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 4:31AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Late night in Meriden on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Clear then Areas Of Frost
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 4:31AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
42°F
Middletown, CT
17 mi in
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
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 74% of this trip takes place on major thoroughfares. Your journey relies heavily on CT 9, which serves as the backbone of the route and features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 22.1 miles. As you transition from the highway toward Meriden Road and Washington Street, the pace shifts from a steady cruise to local navigation. While the route is functional rather than scenic, the reliable road conditions make for a predictable time behind the wheel. You will spend the vast majority of your time maintaining a consistent speed on CT 9 before navigating the final local segments.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 9 and Meriden Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 47m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 24.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 33.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,053 ft
Total Descent
853 ft
Highest Point
423 ft
~28.6 mi in
Elevation Range
409 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 47m. Total distance: 34.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Straightforward navigation.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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