How far is Portland, CT from Essex, CT?
The driving distance from Portland, CT to Essex, CT is about 22.6 miles (36.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.9 miles (32.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 02m 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 31m.
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.
Human settlement in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Portland and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portland and Essex.
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1
Start on the route
49 m · 4 sec
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2
Merge slight left onto Marlborough Street
80 m · 12 sec · Marlborough Street
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3
Continue on Marlborough Street
142 m · 24 sec · Marlborough Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Main Street
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5
Take the exit left
4.7 mi · 7 min
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6
Continue straight
15.5 mi · 18 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CT 154, CT 153: Essex
1552 ft · 55 sec
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8
Turn left onto Middlesex Turnpike
596 ft · 18 sec · Middlesex Turnpike
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9
Turn left onto West Avenue
2872 ft · 1 min · West Avenue
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10
Continue on West Avenue
1094 ft · 41 sec · West Avenue
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
55 m · 13 sec · Main Street
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13
Turn left
37 m · 16 sec
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14
Turn left onto Pratt Street
34 m · 5 sec · Pratt Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pratt Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portland 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.
Main Street
Continue straight
15.5 mi · 00h 18m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Portland and Mostly Sunny near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portland to Essex?
The road trip is about 22.6 miles (36.3 km) and usually takes 00h 31m 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?
Haddam is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.2 miles from Portland and 11.3 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.9 miles (32.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.16 one way or $6.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Portland and Mostly Sunny near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Haddam
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 Haddam.
Old Saybrook station
Meriden Transit Center
Wallingford station
Berlin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Portland and Essex. Straight-line distance: 19.93 mi (32.08 km).
#1 Portland
Town in Connecticut, United States
| Population | 9,213 |
| Coordinates | 41.5728800, -72.6406500 |
| Altitude | 24 |
| 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: 36 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $3.16 | $6.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $3.57 | $7.13 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $3.89 | $7.77 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $4.80 | $9.60 |
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.