Stamford, CT to Winsted, CT is 80.7 miles and takes about 1h 45m via CT 8 and I-95, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Connecticut, traversing the Northeast region of the state. With a high highway percentage, expect a quick and efficient transit between these two points. It's a straightforward, single-day excursion perfect for a short getaway or a quick visit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.3 miles from Stamford, CT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CT 8
58 mi
1h 11m
I 95
20.3 mi
27m
South Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Grove Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Park Place
0.3 mi
<1m
Broad Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Atlantic Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
CT 8
— 58 mi, about 1h 11m
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 Winsted, 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
28 mi·34 min·CT 8
Exit 33Toward I 84 West: DanburyUse the straight / slight left lanes.
11
At end of road, turn right onto US 44; CT 8; CT 183
0.3 mi·52 sec·South Main Street
12
Turn right onto CT 8
0.2 mi·24 sec·Park Place
13
Continue on CT 8
0.1 mi·27 sec·Park Place
14
Arrive at destination
CT 8
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 45m duration, leaving Stamford in the morning allows ample time to reach Winsted without feeling rushed. Since this is a short, single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. The estimated fuel cost is around $13, so factor that into your budget. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface streets as you approach Winsted, as this is where you'll slow down and navigate local traffic.
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 40.3 miles from Stamford, CT, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58 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 40.3 miles or 53m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winsted, 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 80.7 miles and 1h 45m.
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 CT 8 for about 58 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 25.2 — 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
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight 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
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.66 one way
$25.33 round trip
$3.99/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$14.22
$28.44
premium
$4.81
$15.29
$30.58
diesel
$4.80
$15.24
$30.48
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: 28.2 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
24.2
0
$8.47
$3.87
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.06
$3.23
EV Truck/SUV
32.3
0
$11.30
$5.16
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 15, 2026
Origin
Stamford, CT
Late night
in Stamford on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Areas Of Smoke
NW 8 to 13 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 2:30AM EDT until July 15 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 2:30AM EDT until July 15 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Winsted, CT
Late night
in Winsted on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Areas Of Smoke
NW 12 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 2:30AM EDT until July 15 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 2:30AM EDT until July 15 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
84°F
Monroe, CT
40 mi in
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
1h 45m 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 11.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 97% of the 80.7 miles spent on major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 58 miles on CT 8, indicating extended periods of higher-speed travel before transitioning to local roads like South Main Street. Expect numerous exits and merges as you navigate this primarily highway-focused path.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58 mi on CT 8.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 8 and I 95. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Broad Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
828 ft14 ft
Total Climb
1,151 ft
Total Descent
460 ft
Highest Point
828 ft
~74.9 mi in
Elevation Range
814 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 Winsted, 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 1h 45m. Total distance: 80.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58 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.
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 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Winsted, CT before heading back.
