Stamford to Weatogue is 79.9 miles and takes about 1h 53m via I 95 and Wilbur Cross Parkway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Connecticut, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a fairly straightforward drive, mostly on major roadways, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface road driving, so be prepared for varying traffic conditions. This route is a good choice if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40 miles from Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
20.3 mi
27m
Wilbur Cross Parkway
14.1 mi
17m
South Main Street
6.8 mi
8m
Waterville Road
5.6 mi
10m
Whitney Avenue
5.5 mi
7m
CT 8
5 mi
5m
Highland Avenue
4.4 mi
5m
Merritt Parkway
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 20.3 mi, about 27m
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 Weatogue, 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
1.8 mi·2 min·CT 8
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 6Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New HavenUse 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
14 mi·17 min·Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 51Toward Whitney Avenue, HamdenUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto Whitney Avenue
5.5 mi·7 min·Whitney Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on CT 10
3.1 mi·3 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on CT 10
4.4 mi·5 min·Highland Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on CT 10
0.2 mi·13 sec·Cheshire Road
17
Continue on CT 10
0.4 mi·29 sec·Norton Street
18
Continue on CT 10
3.6 mi·4 min·South Main Street
19
Continue on CT 10
2.4 mi·3 min·Queen Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on CT 10
1.7 mi·2 min·East Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on CT 10
1.4 mi·1 min·Farmington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on CT 10
2.7 mi·3 min·Main Street
23
Continue on CT 10
5.6 mi·10 min·Waterville Road
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto US 44; CT 10
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto US 202; CT 10
0.8 mi·1 min·Simsbury Road
26
Continue on US 202; CT 10
1.4 mi·2 min·Hopmeadow Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto Latimer Lane
0.7 mi·2 min·Latimer Lane
28
Turn right onto Spruce Lane
0.2 mi·38 sec·Spruce Lane
29
Turn right
196 ft·14 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 53 minutes, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart Stamford mid-morning to avoid the heaviest commuter traffic. You won't need many stops, but if you do, there are opportunities along I 95 and Wilbur Cross Parkway. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is around $12, so you should be able to complete the trip without needing to refuel, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. The transition from highway to surface roads around South Main Street will require your attention as speeds decrease and intersections become more frequent.
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 40 miles from Stamford, CT, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.3 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40 miles or 54m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Weatogue, 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 79.9 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 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 20.3 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 44.8 — 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
8
44.8 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward Whitney Avenue, Hamden
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 51
Toward Whitney Avenue, Hamden
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.54 one way
$25.08 round trip
$3.99/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$14.08
$28.16
premium
$4.81
$15.14
$30.27
diesel
$4.80
$15.09
$30.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24
0
$8.39
$3.84
Efficient EV
20
0
$6.99
$3.20
EV Truck/SUV
32
0
$11.19
$5.11
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 Jul 12, 2026
Origin
Stamford, CT
Morning
in Stamford on Sunday
Local time
10:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
SE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Weatogue, CT
Morning
in Weatogue on Sunday
Local time
10:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
NE 3 mph0% 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
3 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 53m 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?
This drive is 53% highway, with the longest stretch on I 95 covering 20.3 miles. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads, indicated by the change from I 95 and Wilbur Cross Parkway to South Main Street. Expect a fairly continuous flow of traffic as you navigate through built-up areas and then transition to more local roads. The mix of road types means you'll experience both faster highway speeds and more moderate speeds on surface streets.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20.3 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.9 miles you will encounter 15 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
280 ft14 ft
Total Climb
400 ft
Total Descent
134 ft
Highest Point
280 ft
~79.9 mi in
Elevation Range
266 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 Weatogue, CT, road signs point toward Waterbury, New Haven and Hamden.
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 1h 53m. Total distance: 79.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 20.3 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Weatogue, 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 Weatogue, CT before heading back.
