How far is Essex, CT from Portland, CT?
The driving distance from Essex, CT to Portland, CT is about 22.3 miles (35.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.9 miles (32.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 46m 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 23m.
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.
Human settlement in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Essex and Portland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex and Portland.
-
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
20.1 mi · 25 min
-
9
Turn left onto Saint John's Square
1052 ft · 33 sec · Saint John's Square
-
10
Turn right onto Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Main Street
-
11
Take the exit slight right
60 m · 5 sec
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Essex and Portland.
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
20.1 mi · 00h 25m
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Essex and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Portland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Essex to Portland?
The road trip is about 22.3 miles (35.9 km) and usually takes 00h 23m 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?
Haddam is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.1 miles from Essex and 11.2 miles from Portland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.9 miles (32.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.4 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 7:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.12 one way or $6.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Essex and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Portland.
Stop Ideas Near Haddam
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 Haddam.
Old Saybrook station
Meriden Transit Center
Wallingford station
Berlin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Essex and Portland. Straight-line distance: 19.93 mi (32.08 km).
#1 Essex
Town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States
| Population | 6,634 |
| Coordinates | 41.3534300, -72.3906400 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Portland
Town in Connecticut, United States
| Population | 9,213 |
| Coordinates | 41.5728800, -72.6406500 |
| Altitude | 24 |
| Country | United States |
End: CT 17 (-72.640606, 41.572826)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 36 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $3.12 | $6.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $3.52 | $7.04 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $3.84 | $7.68 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $4.74 | $9.48 |
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.