How far is New Canaan, CT from Bristol, CT?

The driving distance from New Canaan, CT to Bristol, CT is about 61.7 miles (99.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 46 miles (74 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
61.73 mi
01h 15m
Flight
45.99 mi
74.01 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from New Canaan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
45.99 mi
Kilometers
74.01 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
61.73 mi
Kilometers
99.34 km
Drive Time
01h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bristol
Thu, Apr 16, 5:37 AM EDT
Return by in New Canaan
Thu, Apr 16, 6:52 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave New Canaan
2026-04-16T04:22
Arrive Bristol
Thu, Apr 16, 5:37 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:15 AM to 11:15 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:00 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in New Canaan
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Derby
CT

City in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States

From New Canaan
28.4 mi
00h 37m
To Bristol
33.3 mi
00h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph SW
Destination
Bristol Weather
CT
Live fallback forecast
84°F
Thursday
Using Weatogue as the closest live forecast in the Hartford County weather hub.

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between New Canaan and Bristol.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Canaan and Bristol.

  1. 1

    Start on Elm Street

    50 m · 9 sec · Elm Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Park Street

    844 ft · 24 sec · Park Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Main Street

    787 ft · 22 sec · Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Avenue

    2657 ft · 47 sec · East Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto New Norwalk Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · New Norwalk Road

  6. 6

    Continue on New Canaan Avenue

    1894 ft · 47 sec · New Canaan Avenue

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left

    871 ft · 21 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Merritt Parkway

    17.7 mi · 24 min · Merritt Parkway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward CT 8 North: Waterbury

    1.5 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    22.7 mi · 28 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward South Leonard Street, Washington Avenue

    911 ft · 31 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on South Leonard Street

    1617 ft · 36 sec · South Leonard Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Washington Avenue

    1873 ft · 41 sec · Washington Avenue

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street

    25 m · 6 sec · South Main Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Washington Street

    1 km · 1 min · Washington Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Silver Street Expressway

    2419 ft · 44 sec · Silver Street Expressway

  17. 17

    Continue on Meriden Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Meriden Road

  18. 18

    Turn slight left onto Woodtick Road

    2003 ft · 36 sec · Woodtick Road

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto Stillson Road

    3245 ft · 1 min · Stillson Road

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Wolcott Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Wolcott Street

  21. 21

    Continue on Wolcott Road

    6.8 mi · 10 min · Wolcott Road

  22. 22

    Continue on Wolcott Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Wolcott Street

  23. 23

    Continue on West Street

    1624 ft · 28 sec · West Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between New Canaan and Bristol.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
24 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
38.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
CT 8 North
23.6 mi · 38%
Merritt Parkway
17.7 mi · 29%
Wolcott Road
6.79 mi · 11%
Wolcott Street
1.8 mi · 3%
New Norwalk Road
1.62 mi · 3%
Meriden Road
0.67 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

CT 8 North

Merge slight left

22.7 mi · 00h 28m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 15m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.7 mi
46 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Derby
00h 37m from New Canaan
Leave By
4:00 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving New Canaan and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Bristol.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from New Canaan to Bristol?

The road trip is about 61.7 miles (99.3 km) and usually takes 01h 15m 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?

Derby is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.4 miles from New Canaan and 33.3 miles from Bristol.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 46 miles (74 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.7 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 4:00 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.60 one way or $17.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around New Canaan and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Bristol.

Stop Ideas Near Derby

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Derby, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Derby.

RAIL

Union Station

14 mi away
50 Union Avenue
RAIL

Bridgeport

18 mi away
525 Water St.
RAIL

Wallingford station

27 mi away
37 Hall Avenue
RAIL

Meriden Transit Center

34 mi away
60 State Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between New Canaan and Bristol. Straight-line distance: 45.99 mi (74.01 km).

New Canaan

#1 New Canaan

Town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States

Population20,115
Coordinates41.1467600, -73.4948400
Altitude97
CountryUnited States
Bristol

#2 Bristol

The most populous city in Hartford County, Connecticut.

Population59,734
Coordinates41.6717600, -72.9492700
Altitude93
CountryUnited States
Start: Elm Street (-73.494817, 41.146674)
End: School Street (-72.949282, 41.67182)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 99 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.18 gal
8.25 L · about $8.60
Round trip
$17.20
4.36 gal · 16.5 L
Estimated CO2
19.4 kg one way
Round trip: 38.7 kg / 85 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $8.60 $17.20
Mid-grade $4.46 $9.72 $19.43
Premium $4.86 $10.59 $21.18
Diesel $6.00 $13.07 $26.15

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between New Canaan and Bristol. The current time is 04:22:23.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.