Quinebaug to Stamford is 120.6 miles and takes about 2 hours 39 minutes via CT 15, I 84, and I 95, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive will take you across Connecticut, moving you from the Northeast region into the Northeast region, all within the same state. Given its relatively short duration and predominantly highway profile, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it a straightforward journey for those prioritizing efficiency.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.3 miles from Quinebaug, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CT 15
31.7 mi
39m
I 84
28.4 mi
32m
I 95
20.6 mi
28m
I 91
16.5 mi
19m
Old Turnpike Road
9.8 mi
17m
CT 8
4.5 mi
5m
Bigelow Hollow Road
2.3 mi
4m
Buckley Highway
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
CT 15
— 31.7 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quinebaug, CT and Stamford, 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 CityUse the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·53 sec
Exit 86Toward I 91 South: New Haven, New York CityUse 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 17Toward CT 15 SouthUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
437 ft·8 sec
Toward CT 15 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto CT 15
30 mi·37 min·CT 15
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 34Toward CT 8, CT 108: Bridgeport, WaterburyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward CT 8 South, CT 108 South: Bridgeport
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward CT 8 South: BridgeportUse the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto CT 8
4.5 mi·5 min·CT 8
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95 South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 95
21 mi·28 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 7Toward CT 137 North: Atlantic StreetUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto North State Street
0.3 mi·47 sec·North State Street
23
Turn right onto Atlantic Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Atlantic Street
24
Arrive at destination
Atlantic Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time under three hours, this trip offers flexibility; consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour in both your departure and arrival areas. The longest stretch without a break is over 31 miles, so plan your first fuel or rest stop accordingly, perhaps around the time you transition onto I 84. Given the $19 fuel estimate, you should have ample budget for gas along the way. Keep an eye on the CT 15 portion of your route, as it's the longest continuous segment you'll encounter.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.3 miles from Quinebaug, CT, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.7 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 27 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.3 miles or 1h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stamford, 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 120.6 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Quinebaug, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on CT 15 for about 31.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 43.6 and 92.9 — 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
92.9 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward CT 8, CT 108: Bridgeport, Waterbury
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.41 one way
$38.83 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$21.36
$42.72
premium
$4.86
$23.09
$46.19
diesel
$5.61
$26.63
$53.25
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
$19
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
10 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Stamford, Connecticut
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
AmpUp Charging Station
Stamford, Connecticut
Other
1 DCFC
AmpUp Charging Station
Stamford, Connecticut
Other
1 DCFC
ZEF Charging Station
Stamford, Connecticut
Other
1 DCFC
AmpUp Charging Station
Stamford, Connecticut
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Stamford, Connecticut
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Stamford, Connecticut
Other
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Stamford, Connecticut
Blink
1 DCFC
Other: 6
ChargePoint: 2
Blink: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.2
0
$12.66
$5.79
Efficient EV
30.2
0
$10.55
$4.82
EV Truck/SUV
48.2
0
$16.88
$7.72
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 16, 2026
Origin
Quinebaug, CT
Night
in Quinebaug on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Stamford, CT
Night
in Stamford on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Kensington, CT
60 mi in
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
20 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 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
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 112.3
From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 12.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely defined by its highway-focused profile, with 92% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll experience the efficiency of interstates for the majority of your trip, with a particularly long, uninterrupted stretch of 31.7 miles on CT 15. Expect a consistent pace as you navigate through Connecticut, primarily on CT 15, I 84, and I 95. The character is one of steady progress rather than winding scenic byways, allowing for a predictable and swift transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CT 15 is the longest continuous segment at about 31.7 miles.
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 Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 120.6 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.
Between Quinebaug, CT and Stamford, CT, road signs point toward New York City and Waterbury.
New York City
45.6 mi in|~1h 2m
Waterbury
92.9 mi in|~2h 1m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 120.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Quinebaug, CT to Stamford, CT covers 120.6 miles and takes about 2h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CT 15, I 84, I 95. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.3 miles from Quinebaug, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 120.6 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.
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.
Between Quinebaug, CT and Stamford, CT, road signs point toward New York City and Waterbury.
