How far is Fairfield, CT from Waterbury, CT?
The driving distance from Fairfield, CT to Waterbury, CT is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 22m 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 41m.
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.
City in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fairfield and Waterbury.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield and Waterbury.
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1
Start on Post Road
57 m · 12 sec · Post Road
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2
Turn left onto Mill Plain Road
1048 ft · 22 sec · Mill Plain Road
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 95 North
1126 ft · 27 sec
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4
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 6 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward CT 25, CT 8: Trumbull, Waterbury
1 km · 1 min
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6
Continue straight
3.2 mi · 3 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
26 mi · 32 min
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8
Continue on I 84 East: Hartford
1893 ft · 1 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Waterbury
1307 ft · 32 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Riverside Street
1001 ft · 24 sec · Riverside Street
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11
Continue on Riverside Street
892 ft · 24 sec · Riverside Street
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12
Turn right onto West Main Street
1029 ft · 34 sec · West Main Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairfield 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 8 North
Keep slight right to continue on CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
26 mi · 00h 32m
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 Fairfield and Chance Rain Showers near Waterbury.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fairfield to Waterbury?
The road trip is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km) and usually takes 00h 41m 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?
Derby is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.8 miles from Fairfield and 18 miles from Waterbury.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.97 one way or $9.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Fairfield and Chance Rain Showers near Waterbury.
Stop Ideas Near Derby
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 Derby.
Union Station
Bridgeport
Wallingford station
Meriden Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairfield and Waterbury. Straight-line distance: 30.84 mi (49.63 km).
#1 Fairfield
Town in Connecticut, United States of America
| Population | 62,215 |
| Coordinates | 41.1412100, -73.2637300 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| 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: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $4.97 | $9.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $5.62 | $11.23 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $6.12 | $12.24 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $7.56 | $15.11 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.