Origin
Portland, CT
Morning in Portland on Tuesday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
33m
Distance
23.8 mi
38 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portland, CT
MART PRODUCTION
Manchester, CT
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 23.8-mile drive from Portland, CT to Manchester, CT is a quick, efficient journey designed for a single day. Expect to spend about 33 minutes on the road, with a modest fuel cost of around $4. The route primarily utilizes major highways, including I-91, CT-9, and I-84, making it a highway-focused experience. With no recommended stops, this trip is perfect for a direct transit or a short excursion. Given its brevity and focus on interstate travel, it's ideal for a single-day adventure within Connecticut, part of the Northeast region.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 91 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| CT 9 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| I 84 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Center Street | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| US 5 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| US 6 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Middle Turnpike West | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Portland, CT and Manchester, CT.
Start on CT 17; CT 66
Merge onto CT 17; CT 66
Continue on CT 17; CT 66
At end of road, turn left onto CT 17; CT 66
Turn left onto CT 17
At end of road, turn left onto CT 9
Take the exit
Merge onto I 91
Take the exit
Merge onto US 5; CT 15
Merge onto I 84; US 6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84; US 6
Take the exit onto US 6
Turn right onto US 6; US 44
Turn right onto US 6; US 44
Continue on US 6; US 44
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 21.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Continue onto CT 17; CT 66 / Marlborough Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 91 North: Hartford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CT 15 North: East Hartford, Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 6 toward US 6, US 44: Middle Turnpike West, Manchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto US 6; US 44 / Middle Turnpike West
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$3.83 one way
$7.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $4.22 | $8.43 |
| premium | $4.86 | $4.56 | $9.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.25 | $10.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.50 | $1.14 |
| Efficient EV | 6 | 0 | $2.08 | $0.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.33 | $1.52 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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 Portland on Tuesday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Manchester on Tuesday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
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.
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 78% of the journey taking place on interstates. You'll experience stretches of consistent speed, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 8.5 miles on I-91. The character is largely that of efficient, high-speed travel, designed for covering distance quickly rather than for leisurely sightseeing. Expect a functional, direct path that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 91 and CT 9. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CT 17; CT 66 / Marlborough Street.
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 23.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 33m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CT 17; CT 66 / Marlborough Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Portland, CT to Manchester, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Boston along the way.
Boston
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 33m. Total distance: 23.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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