Origin
Stamford, CT
Late night in Stamford on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stamford, CT to Hartford, CT
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
74.9 mi
121 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stamford, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Hartford, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Stamford to Hartford, this 74.9-mile journey across Connecticut is a straightforward transit between the coast and the state capital. Expect a drive time of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily utilize a mix of I-95, the Wilbur Cross Parkway, and the Berlin Turnpike to navigate the Northeast corridor. Budgeting about $12 for fuel should comfortably cover your travel costs for this stretch. Because the entire route remains within Connecticut, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the transit. It is a practical, efficient path for those looking to reach Hartford quickly without the need for complex planning or multiple stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.4 miles from Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wilbur Cross Parkway | 30.4 mi | 37m |
| I 95 | 20.3 mi | 27m |
| Berlin Turnpike | 11 mi | 14m |
| CT 8 | 5 mi | 5m |
| Merritt Parkway | 3 mi | 4m |
| Broad Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Maple Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Grove Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Wilbur Cross Parkway
— 30.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stamford, CT and Hartford, 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
20 mi
·
27 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 27A
Toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on CT 8; CT 25
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
CT 8; CT 25
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
CT 8
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 6
Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto CT 15
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Merritt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CT 15
30 mi
·
37 min
·
Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 5; CT 15
9.9 mi
·
12 min
·
Berlin Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on CT 314
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Berlin Turnpike
14
Continue on Maple Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Maple Avenue
15
Turn left onto Broad Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Broad Street
16
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue
382 ft
·
16 sec
·
Capitol Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Armory Road
111 ft
·
9 sec
·
Armory Road
18
Arrive at destination
Armory Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 40-minute duration, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. However, keeping an eye on traffic patterns along the I-95 and parkway sections is essential to avoiding potential congestion. Since there are no mandatory stops required to finish the 74.9-mile trek, you can easily complete the drive in one go without feeling rushed. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, use the transition onto the Berlin Turnpike as a natural point to reassess your energy levels or take a quick break. Remember that because the fuel cost is estimated at just $12, you can prioritize convenience over fuel-efficient routing choices when planning your specific departure window.
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 37.4 miles from Stamford, CT, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.4 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.4 miles or 51m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hartford, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Stamford, CT
This is one driving day of about 74.9 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Stamford, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Wilbur Cross Parkway for about 30.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.4 miles from Stamford, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 74.8 — 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
21.4 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 27A
Toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury
6
25.2 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
CT 8
Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8 toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
8
27 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
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 6
Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
6
74.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
Capitol Avenue
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.06 one way
$24.12 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $13.27 | $26.53 |
| premium | $4.86 | $14.34 | $28.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.54 | $33.07 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.77
Berlin Turnpike
(9.9 mi)
$0.69
Berlin Turnpike
(1.1 mi)
$0.08
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
$12
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.86 | $3.60 |
| Efficient EV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.55 | $3.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30 | 0 | $10.49 | $4.79 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Hartford, CT
Late night in Hartford on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live 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
22 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 40m 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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 10.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 93% of the journey spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 30.4 miles along the Wilbur Cross Parkway. While the initial portion involves navigating I-95, the transition to the parkway and eventually the Berlin Turnpike shifts the personality of the drive toward a more controlled, consistent flow. Expect a functional, interstate-heavy experience rather than a winding backroads tour. By staying focused on these primary arteries, you can maintain a reliable pace for the duration of the 74.9-mile transit.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.4 mi on Wilbur Cross Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and I 95. 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 Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.9 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.2 miles (CT 8): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Stamford, CT and Hartford, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury and New Haven.
Waterbury
21.4 mi in
|
~30m
New Haven
25.2 mi in
|
~34m
|
via CT 8
About the Cities
Arriving in Hartford, CT
Full guide →Hartford is the capital of the state of Connecticut in the United States of America. It is home to the country's oldest public art museum (Wadsworth Atheneum), and the Mark Twain House, in which the author wrote his most famous works and raised his family. Mark Twain wrote in 1868, "Of all the beautiful towns it has been my fortune to see this is the chief."
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 74.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.4 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.77 in tolls one way, starting with Berlin Turnpike. 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.
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 Hartford, CT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.2 miles (CT 8): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Hartford, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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