How far is Essex, CT from Waterbury, CT?
The driving distance from Essex, CT to Waterbury, CT is about 50.5 miles (81.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 37 miles (59.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m 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 00h 52m.
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.
A city in Middlesex County, Connecticut.
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 Waterbury.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex and Waterbury.
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1
Start on Pratt Street
31 m · 4 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
-
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
7.2 mi · 9 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Meadow Street, Bank Street
1604 ft · 52 sec
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16
Turn right onto Meadow Street
2049 ft · 45 sec · Meadow Street
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17
Turn left onto West Main Street
1383 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 Waterbury.
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 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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waterbury.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Essex to Waterbury?
The road trip is about 50.5 miles (81.2 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Middletown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.2 miles from Essex and 28.2 miles from Waterbury.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 37 miles (59.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.5 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 4:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.02 one way or $14.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Essex and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waterbury.
Stop Ideas Near Middletown
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 Middletown.
Berlin
Meriden Transit Center
Wallingford station
Hartford Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Essex and Waterbury. Straight-line distance: 37.03 mi (59.59 km).
#1 Essex
Town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States
| Population | 6,634 |
| Coordinates | 41.3534300, -72.3906400 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waterbury
The second most populous city in Connecticut.
| Population | 106,826 |
| Coordinates | 41.5581500, -73.0515000 |
| Altitude | 82 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Main Street (-73.051505, 41.558157)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 81 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $7.02 | $14.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $7.93 | $15.87 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $8.65 | $17.29 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $10.67 | $21.35 |
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.