Stamford to Danielson is 119.8 miles and takes about 2h 29m via I 95 and I 395, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Connecticut, moving from the more populated Northeast region towards its northeastern corner. Given its predominantly highway nature and manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day. You'll primarily be on major interstates, making for a straightforward transit between these two points. Consider this a practical connection rather than a winding scenic adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.9 miles from Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
76.2 mi
1h 36m
I 395
37.7 mi
41m
Forbes Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Long Wharf Drive
0.9 mi
2m
Providence Pike
0.8 mi
1m
Frontage Road
0.7 mi
<1m
Grove Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Water Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 76.2 mi, about 1h 36m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,706 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~621 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 30 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stamford, CT and Danielson, CT.
1
Start on Atlantic Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Atlantic Street
2
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.3 mi·57 sec·Broad Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto Grove Street
0.3 mi·48 sec·Grove Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 95 North: New Haven
5
Merge onto I 95
38 mi·51 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·1 min
Exit 46Toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
0.9 mi·2 min·Long Wharf Drive
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on East Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·East Street
9
Turn right onto US 1
0.1 mi·9 sec·Water Street
10
Continue on US 1
1.2 mi·2 min·Forbes Avenue
11
Turn right onto US 1
0.7 mi·48 sec·Frontage Road
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 North
13
Merge onto I 95
38 mi·44 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto I 395
36 mi·39 min·I 395
Exit 76Toward I 395 North: Norwich, Plainfield
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 395
2.1 mi·2 min·I 395
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 37Toward US 6 West: Danielson, Hartford
17
Merge onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·Providence Pike
18
Continue on Water Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·Water Street
19
Turn right
53 ft·3 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 2.5-hour drive, aim to depart Stamford mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic. Since this is a relatively short trip, you won't need extensive breaks, but a quick stop around the halfway point for fuel or a stretch is always a good idea. The fuel cost is estimated at $19, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave Stamford to minimize any mid-route stops. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 95 to I 395, as this is your primary route change for the trip.
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 59.9 miles from Stamford, CT, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.2 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 26 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.9 miles or 1h 21m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Danielson, CT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Stamford, 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 Stamford, CT
This is one driving day of about 119.8 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Stamford, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 76.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 118.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Broad Street
Turn right onto Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
39.1 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive
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 46
Toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive
6
39.3 mi into trip|~55m in|Long Wharf Drive
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
80.7 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|I 395
Take the exit onto I 395 toward I 395 North: Norwich, Plainfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 76
Toward I 395 North: Norwich, Plainfield
6
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 6 West: Danielson, Hartford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 37
Toward US 6 West: Danielson, Hartford
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.18 one way
$42.35 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$23.20
$46.39
premium
$5.29
$24.95
$49.89
diesel
$5.35
$25.23
$50.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.9
0
$12.58
$5.75
Efficient EV
30
0
$10.48
$4.79
EV Truck/SUV
47.9
0
$16.77
$7.67
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Stamford, CT
Afternoon
in Stamford on Wednesday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Isolated Rain Showers
SE 3 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Danielson, CT
Afternoon
in Danielson on Wednesday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 2 mph10% chanceLive forecast
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
7 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 29m 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.
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 8.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 95% of the 119.8 miles on interstates. You'll experience a longest stretch of 76.2 miles on I 95 before transitioning to I 395. The bulk of your travel will be on these main roads. Expect denser traffic and more frequent exits as you begin on I 95, transitioning to a more open feel on I 395 until you reach Forbes Avenue.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.2 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 395. 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 Broad Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 119.8 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 0.1 miles (Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.3 miles (Long Wharf Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
335 ft6 ft
Total Climb
454 ft
Total Descent
257 ft
Highest Point
335 ft
~111.2 mi in
Elevation Range
330 ft
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 Stamford, CT to Danielson, CT, road signs begin pointing toward Plainfield along the way.
Stamford, Connecticut is the fourth largest city in the state, a center of regional activity in Fairfield County, and a hub of the Metro New York area. Its position between NYC and the rest of Connecticut defines Stamford’s character. Stamford takes on a big-city atmosphere in its downtown and the adjacent neighborhoods, then transitions to a more traditional suburban small-town Connecticut atmosphere in its northern sections. Stamford plays an active role in the NYC metro and Fairfield County art and music scene. It also has one of the largest and most diverse selections of restaurants and shopping in Fairfield County. Many large corporations are headquartered in Stamford, so it hosts a large reverse-commute from New York City in addition to commuters from Connecticut and nearby Westchester County, New York.
Top landmarks
•Marion Castle — historic mansion in Stamford, Connecticut, USA
•Fish Church — church building in Stamford, Connecticut
•Stamford Harbor Ledge Light — lighthouse in Stamford, Connecticut, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 119.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.2 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Danielson, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.3 miles (Long Wharf Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Weir Farm National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Danielson, CT before heading back.
