How far is Hartford, CT from Essex, CT?
The driving distance from Hartford, CT to Essex, CT is about 37.7 miles (60.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.2 miles (51.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 39m 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 49m.
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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hartford and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hartford and Essex.
-
1
Start on Armory Road
34 m · 15 sec · Armory Road
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2
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue
2372 ft · 59 sec · Capitol Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Hudson Street
157 m · 16 sec · Hudson Street
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Pulaski Circle
12 m · 1 sec
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5
Exit the rotary onto Bradley International Airport, Springfield, New Haven
1.2 km · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left
9.6 mi · 12 min
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7
Take the exit slight left toward CT 9 South: Middletown, Old Saybrook
1.5 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight right
24.6 mi · 30 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward CT 154, CT 153: Essex
1552 ft · 55 sec
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10
Turn left onto Middlesex Turnpike
596 ft · 18 sec · Middlesex Turnpike
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11
Turn left onto West Avenue
2872 ft · 1 min · West Avenue
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12
Continue on West Avenue
1094 ft · 41 sec · West Avenue
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
55 m · 13 sec · Main Street
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15
Turn left
37 m · 16 sec
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16
Turn left onto Pratt Street
34 m · 5 sec · Pratt Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pratt Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hartford and Essex.
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 South
Merge slight right
24.6 mi · 00h 30m
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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Hartford and Chance Rain Showers near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hartford to Essex?
The road trip is about 37.7 miles (60.7 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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 18.9 miles from Hartford and 18.9 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.2 miles (51.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 4:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.25 one way or $10.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Hartford and Chance Rain Showers near Essex.
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 Hartford and Essex. Straight-line distance: 32.17 mi (51.78 km).
#1 Hartford
The capital of Connecticut.
| Population | 121,535 |
| Coordinates | 41.7637100, -72.6850900 |
| Altitude | 18 |
| 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: 61 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $5.25 | $10.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $5.93 | $11.86 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $6.46 | $12.92 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $7.98 | $15.95 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.