How far is Waterbury, CT from Columbia, CT?
The driving distance from Waterbury, CT to Columbia, CT is about 54 miles (86.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40 miles (64.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 14m 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 07m.
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 Connecticut, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterbury and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterbury and Columbia.
-
1
Start on West Main Street
1383 ft · 26 sec · West Main Street
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2
Turn right onto Meadow Street
2052 ft · 44 sec · Meadow Street
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3
Take the ramp slight left toward I 84 East: Hartford
1901 ft · 49 sec
-
4
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 9 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 691 East: Meriden
2821 ft · 54 sec
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6
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 10 min
-
7
Take the exit slight left toward I 91 North: Hartford, Springfield
132 m · 15 sec
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8
Continue on I 91 North: Hartford, Springfield
1998 ft · 55 sec
-
9
Merge slight left
13 mi · 15 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward CT 3 North: Glastonbury, Old Wethersfield
952 ft · 23 sec
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on CT 3 North: Glastonbury
1515 ft · 37 sec
-
12
Merge slight left
1.9 mi · 3 min
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on CT 2 East: Norwich
1622 ft · 34 sec
-
14
Merge slight left
2125 ft · 33 sec
-
15
Keep slight right
10.2 mi · 12 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward CT 66: Willimantic, Middletown
1259 ft · 36 sec
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on CT 66 East: Hebron, Willimantic
54 m · 12 sec
-
18
Turn left onto East Hampton Road
158 m · 7 sec · East Hampton Road
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19
Continue on Hebron Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Hebron Road
-
20
Continue on West Main Street
3 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
-
21
Continue on Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street
-
22
Continue on Middletown Road
3.3 mi · 4 min · Middletown Road
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Middletown Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterbury and Columbia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 91 North
Merge slight left
13 mi · 00h 15m
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 Waterbury and Sunny near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterbury to Columbia?
The road trip is about 54 miles (86.9 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?
Rocky Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27 miles from Waterbury and 27 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40 miles (64.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 14 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 4:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.50 one way or $14.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waterbury and Sunny near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Rocky Hill
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 Rocky Hill.
Berlin
Hartford Union Station
Meriden Transit Center
Windsor station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterbury and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 40 mi (64.38 km).
#1 Waterbury
The second most populous city in Connecticut.
| Population | 106,826 |
| Coordinates | 41.5581500, -73.0515000 |
| Altitude | 82 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
Town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States
| Population | 5,355 |
| Coordinates | 41.7020400, -72.3011900 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| Country | United States |
End: Columbia (-72.30119, 41.70204)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 87 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $7.50 | $14.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $8.47 | $16.94 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $9.23 | $18.46 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $11.39 | $22.79 |
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.