Past I-395, the freeway becomes the Jewish War Veterans Memorial Highway and enters the town of Waterford. A short distance later, the road heads into suburban-like commercial areas. I-95 interchanges with Route 85 before entering the city of New London as it gains a third northbound lane and a frontage road. Running north of the downtown area and the New London Waterfront District, the freeway meets Route 32. Past this interchange, US 1 merges onto northbound I-95, and the two routes turn east to run concurrent across the ten-lane Gold Star Memorial Bridge over the Thames River, where the highways come into the town of Groton. Before the end of the bridge, US 1 exits the highway, providing access to Downtown Groton. The freeway narrows to six lanes as it reaches an interchange with Route 12 and the western terminus of Route 184, which also provides access to the Naval Submarine Base New London. A short distance later, the road reverse turns through a directional interchange with the northern terminus of Route 349, which spurs into the downtown area. Past Route 349, the median widens, after many miles of having a jersey barrier in the middle of the highway, and it heads into forested surroundings. In the eastern part of Groton, I-95 interchanges with Route 117, leading south to the village of Noank and north to the town of Ledyard. From here, the freeway passes a northbound scenic overlook, and crosses the Mystic River.