How far is Preston City, CT from Waterbury, CT?
The driving distance from Preston City, CT to Waterbury, CT is about 74.9 miles (120.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 55.7 miles (89.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 48m 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 24m.
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.
Census-designated place in Connecticut, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Preston City and Waterbury.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Preston City and Waterbury.
-
1
Start on the route
35 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn left onto Jewett City Road
141 m · 10 sec · Jewett City Road
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3
Turn right onto Old Shetucket Turnpike
1539 ft · 33 sec · Old Shetucket Turnpike
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4
Turn left onto Shetucket Turnpike
3.4 mi · 6 min · Shetucket Turnpike
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5
Continue on Hamilton Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Hamilton Avenue
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6
Turn right onto East Main Street
2971 ft · 2 min · East Main Street
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Franklin Street
2 m · 1 sec · Franklin Street
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Franklin Street
45 m · 7 sec · Franklin Street
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9
Turn left onto Bath Street
119 m · 10 sec · Bath Street
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10
Continue on Broadway
1.6 km · 2 min · Broadway
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11
Turn right onto Washington Street
2656 ft · 2 min · Washington Street
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12
Turn left onto CT 2 West, CT 32 North: Willimantic, Hartford
33.9 mi · 40 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CT 3 South: Wethersfield
3188 ft · 1 min
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14
Continue on CT 3 South: Wethersfield
1207 ft · 29 sec
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15
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 3 min
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16
Take the exit slight left toward I 91 South: New Haven
1 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
12.8 mi · 15 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 691 West: Meriden, Waterbury
1412 ft · 27 sec
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19
Merge slight left
7.7 mi · 9 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 84 West: Waterbury
1 mi · 1 min
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21
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 9 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Meadow Street, Bank Street
1604 ft · 54 sec
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23
Turn right onto Meadow Street
2049 ft · 45 sec · Meadow Street
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24
Turn left onto West Main Street
1383 ft · 24 sec · West Main Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Preston City 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 2 West
Turn left onto CT 2 West, CT 32 North: Willimantic, Hartford
33.9 mi · 00h 40m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Preston City and Partly Sunny near Waterbury.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Preston City to Waterbury?
The road trip is about 74.9 miles (120.5 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?
Glastonbury Center is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.3 miles from Preston City and 37.6 miles from Waterbury.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 55.7 miles (89.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.2 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 3:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.41 one way or $20.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Preston City and Partly Sunny near Waterbury.
Stop Ideas Near Glastonbury Center
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 Glastonbury Center.
Hartford Union Station
Berlin
Windsor station
Windsor Locks
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Preston City and Waterbury. Straight-line distance: 55.76 mi (89.74 km).
#1 Preston City
Town in New London County, Connecticut, United States
| Population | 5,000 |
| Coordinates | 41.5289900, -71.9739600 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| 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: 121 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $10.41 | $20.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $11.77 | $23.53 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $12.83 | $25.65 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $15.83 | $31.66 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.