How far is North Stamford, CT from Essex, CT?
The driving distance from North Stamford, CT to Essex, CT is about 71.8 miles (115.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 61.7 miles (99.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 21m 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 40m.
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.
The most populous city in New Haven County, Connecticut.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Stamford and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Stamford and Essex.
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1
Start on Cascade Road
42 m · 7 sec · Cascade Road
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2
Turn straight onto North Stamford Road
145 m · 19 sec · North Stamford Road
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3
Continue on North Stamford Road
1110 ft · 51 sec · North Stamford Road
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4
Turn left onto High Ridge Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · High Ridge Road
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5
Take the ramp left
1711 ft · 42 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Merritt Parkway
26.7 mi · 35 min · Merritt Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95, US 1: Milford, New London
1.4 mi · 2 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: New Haven
1600 ft · 39 sec
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9
Merge slight left
9 mi · 12 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Long Wharf Drive, Sargent Drive
1092 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn left onto Long Wharf Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · Long Wharf Drive
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12
Continue on East Street
647 ft · 17 sec · East Street
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13
Turn right onto Water Street
562 ft · 10 sec · Water Street
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14
Continue on Forbes Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Forbes Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Frontage Road
1.1 km · 49 sec · Frontage Road
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16
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North
1227 ft · 30 sec
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17
Merge slight left
22.7 mi · 26 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward CT 153: Westbrook
1015 ft · 28 sec
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19
Turn left onto Essex Road
2.6 mi · 5 min · Essex Road
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20
Continue on Westbrook Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Westbrook Road
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21
Continue on Plains Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Plains Road
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22
Continue on West Avenue
2872 ft · 1 min · West Avenue
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23
Continue on West Avenue
1094 ft · 41 sec · West Avenue
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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25
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
55 m · 13 sec · Main Street
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26
Turn left
37 m · 16 sec
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27
Turn left onto Pratt Street
34 m · 5 sec · Pratt Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pratt Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Stamford 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.
Merritt Parkway
Merge slight left onto Merritt Parkway
26.7 mi · 00h 35m
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 North Stamford and Partly Sunny then Slight 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 North Stamford to Essex?
The road trip is about 71.8 miles (115.5 km) and usually takes 01h 40m 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?
West Haven is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.8 miles from North Stamford and 35.9 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 61.7 miles (99.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 3:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.98 one way or $19.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around North Stamford and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near West 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 West Haven.
Union Station
Bridgeport
Wallingford station
Meriden Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Stamford and Essex. Straight-line distance: 61.71 mi (99.31 km).
#1 North Stamford
A census-designated place in Stamford, Connecticut.
| Population | 128,278 |
| Coordinates | 41.1381500, -73.5434600 |
| Altitude | 75 |
| 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: 115 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $9.98 | $19.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $11.28 | $22.55 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $12.29 | $24.58 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $15.17 | $30.34 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.