How far is Essex, CT from Danbury, CT?
The driving distance from Essex, CT to Danbury, CT is about 78 miles (125.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 55.2 miles (88.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 35m 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 17m.
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.
Chance Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Essex and Danbury.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex and Danbury.
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1
Start on Pratt Street
31 m · 6 sec · Pratt Street
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Avenue
8 m · 1 sec · West Avenue
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3
Exit the roundabout onto West Avenue
29 m · 3 sec · West Avenue
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4
Turn slight right onto Methodist Hill
117 m · 11 sec · Methodist Hill
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5
Continue on Prospect Street
108 m · 10 sec · Prospect Street
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6
Continue on West Avenue
2630 ft · 1 min · West Avenue
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7
Take the ramp right toward CT 9 North
1493 ft · 20 sec
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8
Merge slight right
19.7 mi · 24 min
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9
Turn left onto CT 66 West: Middletown
46 m · 4 sec
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10
Continue on Washington Street
2.6 mi · 6 min · Washington Street
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11
Continue on Meriden Road
4.2 mi · 6 min · Meriden Road
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12
Continue straight
7.8 mi · 9 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 84 West: Waterbury
1 mi · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
34.6 mi · 42 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CT 39, CT 53: Downtown Danbury, Bethel
545 ft · 18 sec
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16
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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17
Turn right onto Library Place
71 m · 10 sec · Library Place
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Library Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Essex and Danbury.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 84 West
Merge slight left
34.6 mi · 00h 42m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Essex and Rain Showers near Danbury.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Essex to Danbury?
The road trip is about 78 miles (125.5 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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 36 miles from Essex and 42 miles from Danbury.
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 22.8 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 3:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.85 one way or $21.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Essex and Rain Showers near Danbury.
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 Essex and Danbury. Straight-line distance: 55.21 mi (88.85 km).
#1 Essex
Town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States
| Population | 6,634 |
| Coordinates | 41.3534300, -72.3906400 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Danbury
The most populous city in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
| Population | 84,317 |
| Coordinates | 41.3948200, -73.4540100 |
| Altitude | 121 |
| Country | United States |
End: Library Place (-73.45414, 41.394951)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 126 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $10.85 | $21.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $12.26 | $24.51 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $13.36 | $26.72 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $16.49 | $32.98 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.