Traveling from Stamford to Norfolk covers 87.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 2 minutes. This route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, as the duration is manageable without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-95, CT 8, and Litchfield Road to reach the destination. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel should cover your travel costs for this trip across Connecticut. Since both towns reside in the Northeast region, the journey offers a consistent regional feel as you head north. It is a straightforward, practical connection for anyone looking to traverse the state efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.6 miles from Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CT 8
49.4 mi
1h 1m
I 95
20.3 mi
27m
Litchfield Road
6.2 mi
11m
Norfolk Road
5.1 mi
9m
Hall Meadow Road
2.1 mi
3m
East Elm Street
1.2 mi
2m
Migeon Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Greenwoods Road West
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
CT 8
— 49.4 mi, about 1h 1m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,341 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~657 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 5 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 Norfolk, 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 27AToward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, WaterburyUse 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
26 mi·32 min·CT 8
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New HavenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on CT 8
0.4 mi·1 min·CT 8
Exit 31Toward I 84 East: HartfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CT 8
20 mi·24 min·CT 8
Exit 33Toward I 84 West: DanburyUse the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 50Toward CT 4, US 202: Downtown TorringtonUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto CT 4
1.2 mi·2 min·East Elm Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on CT 4
0.7 mi·1 min·Migeon Avenue
14
Turn right onto CT 272
5.1 mi·9 min·Norfolk Road
15
Continue on CT 272
2.1 mi·3 min·Hall Meadow Road
16
Continue on CT 272
6.2 mi·11 min·Litchfield Road
17
Merge onto US 44; CT 272
0.3 mi·59 sec·Greenwoods Road West
18
Arrive at destination
US 44; CT 272
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes roughly two hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without strict time constraints. While there are no mandatory stops listed, you may want to plan a quick break during your 49.4-mile stint on CT 8 to stay alert behind the wheel. Keep your fuel budget of $14 in mind and ensure your tank is topped off before heading onto the highway sections. Because this is a relatively short trip, consider the advantage of traveling mid-day to avoid peak traffic periods on the busier interstate segments. Always double-check your navigation once you transition onto Litchfield Road, as the driving environment shifts as you approach your final destination.
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 43.6 miles from Stamford, CT, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.4 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.6 miles or 57m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norfolk, 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 87.3 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Stamford, CT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on CT 8 for about 49.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 71.3 — 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.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 North: New Haven
Navigation decision point
Toward I 95 North: New Haven
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
8
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. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
8
71.3 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward CT 4, US 202: Downtown Torrington
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 50
Toward CT 4, US 202: Downtown Torrington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.43 one way
$30.86 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$16.90
$33.81
premium
$5.29
$18.18
$36.36
diesel
$5.35
$18.39
$36.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.2
0
$9.17
$4.19
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.64
$3.49
EV Truck/SUV
34.9
0
$12.22
$5.59
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
3:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Isolated Rain Showers
SE 3 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Norfolk, CT
Afternoon
in Norfolk on Wednesday
Local time
3:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Patchy Fog
NW 3 mph3% 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
11 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 2m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that is heavily highway-focused, with about 80% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 49.4 miles while navigating CT 8, which provides a steady rhythm to the journey. The experience transitions from the coastal infrastructure near Stamford into the more inland corridors of the state. Because this is a highway-heavy route, you can anticipate a consistent pace rather than frequent stops or technical maneuvers. It is a functional, direct drive that favors speed and reliability over winding, low-speed backroads.
80% 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: 49.4 mi on CT 8.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 8 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 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 12 significant decision points across 87.3 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 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,164 ft14 ft
Total Climb
1,353 ft
Total Descent
203 ft
Highest Point
1,164 ft
~87.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,150 ft
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 Norfolk, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury and New Haven.
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 2m. Total distance: 87.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.4 miles on CT 8. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Norfolk, 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 6 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 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Norfolk, CT before heading back.
