How far is Fairfield, CT from Essex, CT?
The driving distance from Fairfield, CT to Essex, CT is about 54.5 miles (87.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 47.7 miles (76.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 33m 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 16m.
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 New Haven County, Connecticut, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fairfield and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield and Essex.
-
1
Start on Post Road
57 m · 12 sec · Post Road
-
2
Turn left onto Mill Plain Road
1048 ft · 22 sec · Mill Plain Road
-
3
Take the ramp right toward I 95 North
1126 ft · 27 sec
-
4
Merge slight left
22 mi · 30 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive
1092 ft · 1 min
-
6
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · Long Wharf Drive
-
7
Continue on East Street
647 ft · 17 sec · East Street
-
8
Turn right onto Water Street
562 ft · 10 sec · Water Street
-
9
Continue on Forbes Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Forbes Avenue
-
10
Turn right onto Frontage Road
1.1 km · 49 sec · Frontage Road
-
11
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North
1227 ft · 30 sec
-
12
Merge slight left
22.7 mi · 26 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward CT 153: Westbrook
1015 ft · 28 sec
-
14
Turn left onto Essex Road
2.6 mi · 5 min · Essex Road
-
15
Continue on Westbrook Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Westbrook Road
-
16
Continue on Plains Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Plains Road
-
17
Continue on West Avenue
2872 ft · 1 min · West Avenue
-
18
Continue on West Avenue
1094 ft · 41 sec · West Avenue
-
19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
-
20
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
55 m · 13 sec · Main Street
-
21
Turn left
37 m · 16 sec
-
22
Turn left onto Pratt Street
34 m · 5 sec · Pratt Street
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pratt Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairfield 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 95 North
Merge slight left
22.7 mi · 00h 26m
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.
Sunny leaving Fairfield and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fairfield to Essex?
The road trip is about 54.5 miles (87.7 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?
East Haven is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.2 miles from Fairfield and 27.3 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 47.7 miles (76.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.8 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 3:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.57 one way or $15.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fairfield and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near East Haven
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 East Haven.
Union Station
Wallingford station
Bridgeport
Meriden Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairfield and Essex. Straight-line distance: 47.67 mi (76.71 km).
#1 Fairfield
Town in Connecticut, United States of America
| Population | 62,215 |
| Coordinates | 41.1412100, -73.2637300 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| 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: 88 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $7.57 | $15.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $8.56 | $17.11 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $9.33 | $18.65 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $11.51 | $23.03 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.