Route 45 begins as East Shore Road at an intersection with
U.S. Route 202 in the
New Preston section of the town of
Washington. It heads north along the eastern shore of
Lake Waramaug and soon enters the town of
Warren. In Warren, the road is known as Lake Road. An alternate route going around the south, west, and north shores of the lake can be accessed from Route 45. This western loop is an unsigned state highway known as Special Service Road 478. About north of the lake, Route 45 then enters the town center of Warren where it is joined by
Route 341 for . After Route 341 separates, Route 45 continues northward along Cornwall Road towards the town of
Cornwall. It enters Cornwall after , becoming Warren Hill Road. Route 45 ends northwest of the town line in the
Cornwall Bridge section of town, at an intersection with
U.S. Route 7 near the
Housatonic River, which runs along the western town line of Cornwall. In 2010, the 0.50-mile segment of Route 45 running from the Junction with Route 202, through New Preston village, to the intersection with East Shore Road and Flirtation Avenue, also received state scenic designation. == History ==