Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
27m
Distance
19.2 mi
31 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Orange, CT
André Cogez
Fairfield, CT
David Kanigan
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit across the Northeast, this 19.2-mile trip from Orange to Fairfield is an ideal candidate. You can expect to spend about 27 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect one-day excursion that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting for fuel is simple, as you will likely spend no more than $3 for the entire journey. Since this route is entirely within Connecticut, you won't experience major regional shifts, keeping the transition smooth and predictable. It is a highly efficient trip that prioritizes speed over sightseeing, making it a practical choice for commuters or travelers needing to reach their destination quickly.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 8 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| I 95 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Wilbur Cross Parkway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Merritt Parkway | 3 mi | 3m |
| Old Grassy Hill Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Orange Center Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Mill Plain Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Grassy Hill Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Orange, CT and Fairfield, CT.
Start on CT 152
Turn left onto Old Grassy Hill Road
Turn right onto CT 121
Turn left onto Turkey Hill Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto CT 15
Continue on CT 15
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto CT 8
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn left onto Mill Plain Road
Turn right onto US 1
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.1 and 18.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward CT 8, CT 108: Bridgeport, Waterbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward CT 8 South, CT 108 South: Bridgeport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward CT 8 South: Bridgeport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Mill Plain Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$3.09 one way
$6.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $3.40 | $6.80 |
| premium | $4.86 | $3.68 | $7.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.24 | $8.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.02 | $0.92 |
| Efficient EV | 4.8 | 0 | $1.68 | $0.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.69 | $1.23 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Morning in Orange on Tuesday
Local time
6:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
Destination
Morning in Fairfield on Tuesday
Local time
6:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Clear
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.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 80% of your time spent on major thoroughfares like CT 8, I-95, and the Wilbur Cross Parkway. You will experience a swift, consistent pace throughout the 19.2-mile distance. While you will navigate transitions between these main roads, the driving remains relatively straightforward with minimal technical complexity. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on CT 8, spanning 4.5 miles, which allows you to settle into a steady rhythm. The overall personality of the route is utilitarian and fast, designed to get you from Orange to Fairfield with as little friction as possible.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 8 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.1 miles in.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 19.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 27m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Orange, CT to Fairfield, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Waterbury along the way.
Waterbury
Fairfield is a city in Connecticut.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 27m. Total distance: 19.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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