How far is Salem, CT from Waterbury, CT?
The driving distance from Salem, CT to Waterbury, CT is about 60.2 miles (96.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 04m 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 02m.
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.
Town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and Waterbury.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Waterbury.
-
1
Start on the route
51 m · 14 sec
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Hartford Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · Hartford Road
-
3
Continue on New London Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · New London Road
-
4
Take the ramp left toward Hartford: CT 2 West
1454 ft · 35 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
20.3 mi · 24 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward CT 3 South: Wethersfield
3188 ft · 1 min
-
7
Continue on CT 3 South: Wethersfield
1207 ft · 29 sec
-
8
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 3 min
-
9
Take the exit slight left toward I 91 South: New Haven
1 km · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left
12.8 mi · 15 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 691 West: Meriden, Waterbury
1412 ft · 27 sec
-
12
Merge slight left
7.7 mi · 9 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 84 West: Waterbury
1 mi · 1 min
-
14
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 9 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Meadow Street, Bank Street
1604 ft · 54 sec
-
16
Turn right onto Meadow Street
2049 ft · 45 sec · Meadow Street
-
17
Turn left onto West Main Street
1383 ft · 24 sec · West Main Street
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem 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.
Hartford
Merge slight left
20.3 mi · 00h 24m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Salem and Mostly Sunny near Waterbury.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salem to Waterbury?
The road trip is about 60.2 miles (96.9 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?
Wethersfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.9 miles from Salem and 30.3 miles from Waterbury.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.7 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 4:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.36 one way or $16.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Salem and Mostly Sunny near Waterbury.
Stop Ideas Near Wethersfield
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 Wethersfield.
Hartford Union Station
Berlin
Windsor station
Windsor Locks
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Waterbury. Straight-line distance: 40.42 mi (65.05 km).
#1 Salem
Town in New London County, Connecticut, United States
| Population | 4,083 |
| Coordinates | 41.4903800, -72.2753600 |
| Altitude | 107 |
| 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: 97 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $8.36 | $16.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $9.45 | $18.90 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $10.30 | $20.60 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $12.71 | $25.43 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.