Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
51m
Distance
36 mi
58 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Fair
3 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waterbury, CT
Wikimedia Commons
Hartland, CT
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking to travel from Waterbury to Hartland, you can expect a straightforward 36-mile journey that typically takes about 51 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $6, it is an economical way to navigate through the Northeast region of Connecticut. Since the route is efficient and relatively short, it serves as a practical connection between these two areas. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, making this a reliable choice for commuters or travelers who prefer a direct path.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CT 8 | 27.5 mi | 33m |
| Riverton Road | 5.4 mi | 10m |
| North Main Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| South Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East River Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Park Place | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Waterbury, CT and Hartland, CT.
Start on West Main Street
Turn right onto Watertown Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto CT 8
At end of road, turn right onto US 44; CT 8; CT 183
Turn right onto CT 8
Continue on CT 8
Turn right onto CT 20
Continue on CT 20
Turn left onto CT 20
Continue on CT 20
Turn left onto CT 20
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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.
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 18 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 28.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Depart onto West Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Watertown Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward CT 8 North: Watertown, Torrington
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto CT 8
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn right onto US 44; CT 8; CT 183 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$5.80 one way
$11.59 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $6.38 | $12.75 |
| premium | $4.86 | $6.89 | $13.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.95 | $15.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.78 | $1.73 |
| Efficient EV | 9 | 0 | $3.15 | $1.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.04 | $2.30 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Waterbury on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Late night in Hartland on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Chance Rain Showers
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This trip is predominantly highway-focused, with about 76% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will rely heavily on CT 8, which provides the longest uninterrupted stretch of the drive at 27.5 miles. As you transition from the highway onto Riverton Road and North Main Street, the pace shifts from a steady interstate cruise to local road navigation. Expect a functional driving experience where the road quality remains consistent throughout the 51-minute transit. It is the kind of drive that prioritizes efficiency, allowing you to move steadily between your departure and arrival points.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CT 8 and Riverton Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Main Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 51m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (Watertown Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,324 ft
Total Descent
473 ft
Highest Point
1,123 ft
~36 mi in
Elevation Range
852 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 51m. Total distance: 36 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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