How far is Essex, CT from Meriden, CT?
The driving distance from Essex, CT to Meriden, CT is about 36.2 miles (58.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25 miles (40.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 36m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Village in the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Essex and Meriden.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex and Meriden.
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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
-
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
1.6 mi · 2 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Meriden
819 ft · 23 sec
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14
Turn straight onto State Street
650 ft · 18 sec · State Street
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15
Turn right onto Camp Street
726 ft · 28 sec · Camp Street
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Colony Street
2118 ft · 49 sec · Colony Street
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17
Turn right onto West Main Street
1196 ft · 24 sec · West Main Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Essex and Meriden.
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.
CT 9 North
Merge slight right
19.7 mi · 00h 24m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Essex and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Meriden.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Essex to Meriden?
The road trip is about 36.2 miles (58.2 km) and usually takes 00h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Higganum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.2 miles from Essex and 21 miles from Meriden.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25 miles (40.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.05 one way or $10.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Essex and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Meriden.
Stop Ideas Near Higganum
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 Higganum.
Meriden Transit Center
Berlin
Wallingford station
Old Saybrook station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Essex and Meriden. Straight-line distance: 25.06 mi (40.33 km).
#1 Essex
Town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States
| Population | 6,634 |
| Coordinates | 41.3534300, -72.3906400 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Meriden
The most populous city in New Haven County, Connecticut.
| Population | 58,981 |
| Coordinates | 41.5381500, -72.8070400 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Main Street (-72.80704, 41.538164)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $5.05 | $10.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $5.70 | $11.41 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $6.22 | $12.44 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $7.68 | $15.35 |
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.