Stamford to Noank is 93.6 miles and takes about 2h 6m via I 95 and surface roads, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Connecticut, connecting two points in the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive that's ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it a quick and efficient way to travel between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.8 miles from Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
85.1 mi
1h 48m
Forbes Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Groton Long Point Road
1.2 mi
2m
Long Wharf Drive
0.9 mi
2m
Fort Hill Road
0.9 mi
1m
Frontage Road
0.7 mi
<1m
North Road
0.6 mi
1m
Newtown Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 85.1 mi, about 1h 48m
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 Noank, 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
47 mi·56 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·46 sec
Exit 88Toward CT 117: Noank, Groton Long Point
15
Turn right onto CT 117
0.6 mi·1 min·North Road
16
Turn straight onto CT 117
0.4 mi·55 sec·Newtown Road
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 1
0.9 mi·1 min·Fort Hill Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto CT 215
1.2 mi·2 min·Groton Long Point Road
19
Turn left onto Brook Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Brook Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto CT 215
0.2 mi·30 sec·Elm Street
21
Arrive at destination
CT 215
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour duration, leaving Stamford in the morning, perhaps after rush hour, will allow you to reach Noank with plenty of daylight. This route is manageable in one day, so you don't need to plan for overnight stays. With only 93.6 miles and a fuel cost estimate of $17, you have flexibility. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 95 to local roads; that's when you'll need to be more attentive to navigation as you approach your destination in Noank.
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 46.8 miles from Stamford, CT, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.1 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 21 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.8 miles or 1h 6m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Noank, 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 93.6 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 85.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 90.9 — 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
89.6 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward CT 117: Noank, Groton Long Point
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 88
Toward CT 117: Noank, Groton Long Point
7
90.9 mi into trip|~2h in|US 1 / Fort Hill Road
At end of road, turn left onto US 1 / Fort Hill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.55 one way
$33.09 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$18.12
$36.25
premium
$5.29
$19.49
$38.98
diesel
$5.35
$19.71
$39.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.1
0
$9.83
$4.49
Efficient EV
23.4
0
$8.19
$3.74
EV Truck/SUV
37.4
0
$13.10
$5.99
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 May 27, 2026
Origin
Stamford, CT
Afternoon
in Stamford on Wednesday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Noank, CT
Afternoon
in Noank on Wednesday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
NW 7 mph29% 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
24 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 6m 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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 9.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on I 95, accounting for 91% of the total mileage. You'll experience a long stretch of 85.1 miles on the interstate before transitioning to surface roads like Forbes Avenue and Groton Long Point Road. Expect frequent exits and traffic merging as you navigate the highway segments, especially in more populated areas.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.1 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Forbes Avenue. 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 15 significant decision points across 93.6 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 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.
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 6m. Total distance: 93.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.1 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Noank, 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 13 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 Noank, CT before heading back.
