Mystic, Connecticut road trip from NYC
A New England seaport town with tall ships, a coastal drive and pizza stops on the way.
- Distance
- 130 mi
- Drive time
- 2h30
- Trip length
- Weekend
- Best time
- May to October
The route
Follow I-95 north through Connecticut along Long Island Sound. Leave the highway for the coastal Route 1 between Old Saybrook and Mystic if you have time.
Where to stop
- 1
New Haven
Famous for its thin-crust 'apizza'. Expect a line at the best-known places.
- 2
Old Saybrook
Where the Connecticut River meets the Sound, with a quiet waterfront.
- 3
Mystic Seaport Museum
A recreated 19th-century seaport with historic ships you can board.
- 4
Stonington Borough
A small, very pretty fishing village a few minutes east of Mystic.
Where to stay
Inns and hotels in downtown Mystic.
Tips before you go
- Avoid I-95 at rush hour around Stamford and Norwalk.
- Mystic Aquarium is next to the highway exit and works well with kids.
- Downtown Mystic has a drawbridge that opens for boats: plan a few minutes' delay.
Drive times assume normal traffic from Midtown Manhattan. Check opening hours and conditions before you leave.
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The Catskills
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