Origin
Waterbury, CT
Late night in Waterbury on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waterbury, CT to Colchester, 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 6m
Distance
43 mi
69 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 1m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 17m
10 AM
1h 10m
12 PM
1h 9m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 16m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waterbury, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Colchester, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 43 miles across Connecticut, this trip from Waterbury to Colchester is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 6 minutes. Because the distance is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend around $7 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. The route utilizes a combination of I-691, I-84, and CT-66 to navigate between the two points. Since both locations are situated within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the efficiency of this path makes it a practical choice for your itinerary.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 691 | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| I 84 | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| CT 66 | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| Middletown Road | 6.1 mi | 10m |
| Portland-Cobalt Road | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Colchester Avenue | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Middletown Avenue | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 691
— 8.1 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterbury, CT and Colchester, CT.
1
Start on West Main Street
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn right onto Meadow Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Meadow Street
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 84 East: Hartford
4
Merge onto I 84
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 27
Toward I 691 East: Meriden
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 691
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
I 691
7
Continue on CT 66
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
CT 66
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn left onto CT 3
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Newfield Street
9
Turn right onto Liberty Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Liberty Street
10
Continue on Prospect Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Prospect Street
11
Turn right onto Grand Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto CT 66
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
13
Take the exit onto CT 17; CT 66
358 ft
·
8 sec
·
CT 17; CT 66
14
Merge onto CT 17; CT 66
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Marlborough Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on CT 17; CT 66
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Portland-Cobalt Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on CT 66
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West High Street
17
Turn right onto CT 16
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Middletown Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on CT 16
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Colchester Avenue
19
Continue on CT 16
6.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Middletown Road
20
Continue on CT 16
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Linwood Avenue
21
At end of road, turn left onto CT 16; CT 85
445 ft
·
11 sec
·
Main Street
22
Turn right onto CT 16
132 ft
·
7 sec
·
Lebanon Avenue
23
Turn right onto Hayward Avenue
181 ft
·
7 sec
·
Hayward Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Hayward Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.5 miles from Waterbury, 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 25 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 84
Merge onto I 84
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
8.2 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward I 691 East: Meriden
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward I 691 East: Meriden
5
23.2 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
Liberty Street
Turn right onto Liberty Street
Navigation decision point
5
23.9 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
CT 66 / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto CT 66 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
25 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
CT 17; CT 66 / Marlborough Street
Merge onto CT 17; CT 66 / Marlborough Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.92 one way
$13.84 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $7.62 | $15.23 |
| premium | $4.86 | $8.23 | $16.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.49 | $18.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.52 | $2.06 |
| Efficient EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.76 | $1.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.02 | $2.75 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Colchester, CT
Late night in Colchester on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Middletown, CT
22 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 6m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances high-speed interstate travel with more measured local road segments. Highway driving accounts for 50% of the trip, providing a steady pace for half of your time behind the wheel. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch on I-691, which lasts for 8.1 miles before you transition to other segments. As you move from the interstate portions onto CT-66, the character of the road shifts, requiring more attention to local traffic patterns. This blend of road types ensures the drive remains engaging without becoming overly monotonous.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 8.1 mi on I 691.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 1 miles in near I 84.
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 43 miles you will encounter 14 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 1 miles (I 84): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles (Liberty Street): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 43 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 8.1 miles on I 691. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Colchester, 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 1 miles (I 84): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles (Liberty Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Colchester, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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