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Trip from Quinebaug, CT to East Norwalk, CT

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 28m

Distance

111.4 mi

179 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 18m ★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m

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 Quinebaug, CT, CT

Quinebaug, CT

MART PRODUCTION

human settlement in Norwalk, Connecticut, United States of America

East Norwalk, CT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Quinebaug, CT to East Norwalk, CT is 111.4 miles and takes about 2h 28m via CT 15, I 84, and I 91, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Connecticut, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Given its mostly highway profile, expect a straightforward transit rather than a scenic tour. It's a solid choice for a single-day trip when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently, with minimal fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

55.7 miles from Quinebaug, CT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
CT 15 44.8 mi 56m
I 84 28.4 mi 32m
I 91 16.5 mi 19m
Old Turnpike Road 9.8 mi 17m
Bigelow Hollow Road 2.3 mi 4m
Buckley Highway 2 mi 3m
Saugatuck Avenue 1.4 mi 2m
Riverside Avenue 1.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: CT 15 — 44.8 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Quinebaug, CT and East Norwalk, CT.

1

Start on CT 131

140 ft · 7 sec · Quinebaug Road
2

Turn left onto CT 197

9.8 mi · 17 min · Old Turnpike Road
3

Continue on CT 197

0.9 mi · 1 min · Lawson Road
4

Turn straight onto CT 171

2.3 mi · 4 min · Bigelow Hollow Road
5

Turn left onto CT 190

2.0 mi · 3 min · Buckley Highway
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
7

Merge onto I 84

20 mi · 23 min · I 84
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 84

8.0 mi · 9 min · I 84
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto CT 15

1.9 mi · 2 min · CT 15
Toward CT 15 South: New York City Use the slight left lane.
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 53 sec
Exit 86 Toward I 91 South: New Haven, New York City Use the slight right lane.
11

Merge onto I 91

17 mi · 19 min · I 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 17 Toward CT 15 South Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

437 ft · 8 sec
Toward CT 15 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto CT 15

43 mi · 54 min · CT 15
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 21 Toward CT 57: Westport, Weston Use the right lane.
16

At end of road, turn right onto CT 57

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Weston Road
17

Keep slight right at fork onto CT 57

387 ft · 7 sec · Weston Road
18

Turn straight onto CT 57; CT 136

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
19

Turn right onto CT 57

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Canal Street
20

Continue on CT 57

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Kings Highway North
21

Turn left onto CT 33

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Wilton Road
22

Continue on CT 33

1.2 mi · 2 min · Riverside Avenue
23

Continue on CT 33

1.4 mi · 2 min · Saugatuck Avenue
24

Continue on CT 136

0.8 mi · 1 min · Winfield Street
25

Arrive at destination

CT 136

Trip Plan

For this 2h 28m drive, leaving early in the morning is a good idea to avoid potential midday traffic, especially as you get closer to the coast. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, you won't need to worry about multiple fuel stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility; there's no need to rush. Keep an eye on your GPS as you near East Norwalk, as the highway transitions can sometimes be complex.

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 55.7 miles from Quinebaug, CT, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.8 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 25 miles or 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 55.7 miles or 1h 14m 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 59m

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

Before You Leave

+

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

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Quinebaug, CT

This is one driving day of about 111.4 miles and 2h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Quinebaug, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on CT 15 for about 44.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Hartford County, Connecticut, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Glastonbury, CT

56 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

Coventry, CT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middletown, CT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 55.7 miles from Quinebaug, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · around the midpoint

Village Pizza Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wethersfield, Connecticut

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset · 1h 3m in / 1h 25m to go 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18605631513

Visit website

River: A Waterfront Restaurant and Bar

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Wethersfield, Connecticut

0.7 mi

Cafe Fiore Cromwell

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cromwell, Connecticut

1 mi

Best coffee break · early in the drive

TheSpot Cafe'

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

East Hartford, Connecticut

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch · 53min in 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+18603102283

The Taste Garden Cafe and Catering

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Trumbull, Connecticut

2.3 mi

Village Pizza Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Wethersfield, Connecticut

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18605631513

Visit website

River: A Waterfront Restaurant and Bar

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Wethersfield, Connecticut

Hours: 11:30 am–10:30 pm

+18608526287

Visit website

Cafe Fiore Cromwell

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Cromwell, Connecticut

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+18607405823

Visit website

Giulia's Pizza Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Cromwell, Connecticut

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18607882200

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Manchester, Connecticut

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18606493857

Visit website

South Side Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Wallingford, Connecticut

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12032698868

Visit website

Allegro Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hartford, Connecticut

Hours: 5:30 am–12 pm

+18602968139

Visit website

Ibiza Restaurant Hamden

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Hamden, Connecticut

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+12036917027

TheSpot Cafe'

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

East Hartford, Connecticut

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+18603102283

The Taste Garden Cafe and Catering

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Trumbull, Connecticut

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+12035028355

Visit website

Kickstart Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Shelton, Connecticut

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+12035132106

Visit website

Rest Area CT-15 (South Bound)

0 mi from route

RT. 15 Fairfield NB Service Plaza

0 mi from route

RT. 15 Fairfield SB Service Plaza

0 mi from route

Rest Area CT-15 (South Bound)

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area CT-15 (North Bound)

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Jennifer Hodges Memorial Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

West Willington Rest Area Eastbound

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Pride Truck Stop

2.1 mi from route

Stepping Stones Museum for Children

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Norwalk, Connecticut

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12038990606

Visit website

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+12033946565

Visit website

Sacred Heart University Discovery Science Center and Planetarium

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12034163521

Visit website

Yale University Art Gallery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

New Haven, Connecticut

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12034320600

Visit website

The Mead Visitor Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

New Haven, Connecticut

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+12034322300

Visit website

Hungry Tiger Cafe & Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Manchester, Connecticut

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+18606491195

Visit website

Milford Green

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Milford, Connecticut

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center (formerly Knights of Columbus Museum)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

New Haven, Connecticut

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12038650400

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 43.6 and 106 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
43.6 mi into trip | ~59m in | CT 15

Keep slight left at fork onto CT 15 toward CT 15 South: New York City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward CT 15 South: New York City
8
45.6 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in

Take the exit toward I 91 South: New Haven, New York City

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 86 Toward I 91 South: New Haven, New York City
7
62.7 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in

Take the exit toward CT 15 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 17 Toward CT 15 South
7
63 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CT 15 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward CT 15 South
8
106 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in

Take the exit toward CT 57: Westport, Weston

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

Use the right lane. Exit 21 Toward CT 57: Westport, Weston

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.93 one way

$35.87 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $19.73 $39.46
premium $4.86 $21.33 $42.67
diesel $5.61 $24.60 $49.19

Estimated Tolls: $0.68

Old Turnpike Road (9.8 mi) $0.68

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

$18

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.4 0 $11.70 $5.35
Efficient EV 27.9 0 $9.75 $4.46
EV Truck/SUV 44.6 0 $15.60 $7.13

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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 20, 2026

Origin

Quinebaug, CT

Morning in Quinebaug on Tuesday

Local time

8:07 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Norwalk, CT

Morning in East Norwalk on Tuesday

Local time

8:07 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Isolated Rain Showers

NW 17 mph 21% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 20 at 1:57PM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY

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

12 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 28m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

You'll spend about 89% of this drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 44.8 miles, occurring on CT 15. Expect a significant amount of highway driving until you approach East Norwalk, where the density of exits will likely increase as you transition off the main interstates. The majority of your travel will involve cruising at highway speeds.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.8 mi on CT 15.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 15 and I 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.6 miles in near CT 15.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 111.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 43.6 miles (CT 15): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Quinebaug, CT to East Norwalk, CT, road signs begin pointing toward New York City along the way.

New York City

45.6 mi in | ~1h 2m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 111.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 44.8 miles on CT 15. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.68 in tolls one way, starting with Old Turnpike Road. 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.

Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 East Norwalk, CT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 43.6 miles (CT 15): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at East Norwalk, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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