How far is Bridgeport, CT from Essex, CT?
The driving distance from Bridgeport, CT to Essex, CT is about 49.3 miles (79.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43.2 miles (69.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 10m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United Sates
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bridgeport and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bridgeport and Essex.
-
1
Start on Fairfield Avenue
577 ft · 17 sec · Fairfield Avenue
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2
Continue on Stratford Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Stratford Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto Seaview Avenue
141 m · 14 sec · Seaview Avenue
-
4
Take the ramp left
1440 ft · 35 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
16 mi · 22 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive
1092 ft · 1 min
-
7
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · Long Wharf Drive
-
8
Continue on East Street
647 ft · 17 sec · East Street
-
9
Turn right onto Water Street
562 ft · 10 sec · Water Street
-
10
Continue on Forbes Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Forbes Avenue
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11
Turn right onto Frontage Road
1.1 km · 49 sec · Frontage Road
-
12
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North
1227 ft · 30 sec
-
13
Merge slight left
22.7 mi · 26 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward CT 153: Westbrook
1015 ft · 28 sec
-
15
Turn left onto Essex Road
2.6 mi · 5 min · Essex Road
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16
Continue on Westbrook Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Westbrook Road
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17
Continue on Plains Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Plains Road
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18
Continue on West Avenue
2872 ft · 1 min · West Avenue
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19
Continue on West Avenue
1094 ft · 41 sec · West Avenue
-
20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
55 m · 13 sec · Main Street
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22
Turn left
37 m · 16 sec
-
23
Turn left onto Pratt Street
34 m · 5 sec · Pratt Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pratt Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bridgeport and Essex.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 95 North
Merge slight left
22.7 mi · 00h 26m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Partly Cloudy leaving Bridgeport and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bridgeport to Essex?
The road trip is about 49.3 miles (79.3 km) and usually takes 01h 10m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Branford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.6 miles from Bridgeport and 24.7 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 43.2 miles (69.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.86 one way or $13.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Bridgeport and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Branford
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Branford.
Union Station
Wallingford station
Meriden Transit Center
Bridgeport
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bridgeport and Essex. Straight-line distance: 43.2 mi (69.52 km).
#1 Bridgeport
The second most populous city in Connecticut.
| Population | 143,525 |
| Coordinates | 41.1792300, -73.1894500 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Essex
Town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States
| Population | 6,634 |
| Coordinates | 41.3534300, -72.3906400 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
End: Essex (-72.39064, 41.35343)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 79 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $6.86 | $13.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $7.76 | $15.51 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $8.45 | $16.91 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $10.43 | $20.87 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Connecticut · Apr 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.