How far is Danbury, CT from Essex, CT?
The driving distance from Danbury, CT to Essex, CT is about 71.1 miles (114.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 55.2 miles (88.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 05m 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 32m.
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 Connecticut, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Danbury and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Danbury and Essex.
-
1
Start on Library Place
71 m · 12 sec · Library Place
-
2
Turn left onto Main Street
133 m · 20 sec · Main Street
-
3
Turn right onto White Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · White Street
-
4
Continue on Newtown Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Newtown Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 84 East: Waterbury
1304 ft · 32 sec
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6
Merge slight left
31.3 mi · 37 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 691 East: Meriden
2821 ft · 54 sec
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8
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 10 min
-
9
Continue straight
7 mi · 12 min
-
10
Take the ramp slight right toward CT 9 South, CT 17 South: Old Saybrook, New Haven
40 m · 3 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
19.6 mi · 23 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward CT 154, CT 153: Essex
1552 ft · 55 sec
-
13
Turn left onto Middlesex Turnpike
596 ft · 18 sec · Middlesex Turnpike
-
14
Turn left onto West Avenue
2872 ft · 1 min · West Avenue
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15
Continue on West Avenue
1094 ft · 41 sec · West Avenue
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
-
17
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
55 m · 13 sec · Main Street
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18
Turn left
37 m · 16 sec
-
19
Turn left onto Pratt Street
34 m · 5 sec · Pratt Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pratt Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Danbury and Essex.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 84 East
Merge slight left
31.3 mi · 00h 37m
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 Danbury 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 Danbury to Essex?
The road trip is about 71.1 miles (114.4 km) and usually takes 01h 32m 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?
Southington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.5 miles from Danbury and 35.6 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 55.2 miles (88.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.9 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 3:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.90 one way or $19.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Danbury and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Southington
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 Southington.
Meriden Transit Center
Berlin
Wallingford station
Hartford Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Danbury and Essex. Straight-line distance: 55.21 mi (88.85 km).
#1 Danbury
The most populous city in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
| Population | 84,317 |
| Coordinates | 41.3948200, -73.4540100 |
| Altitude | 121 |
| 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: 114 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $9.90 | $19.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $11.19 | $22.37 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $12.19 | $24.39 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $15.05 | $30.10 |
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.