diff --git a/changelog/update-s6837-reduce-api-impact-for-test-drive-setup b/changelog/update-s6837-reduce-api-impact-for-test-drive-setup
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..eaa0360fe7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog/update-s6837-reduce-api-impact-for-test-drive-setup
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+Significance: patch
+Type: update
+Comment: Reduce the maximum number of API calls during the test-drive process and add maximum duration cut off logic.
+
+
diff --git a/client/connect-account-page/index.tsx b/client/connect-account-page/index.tsx
index 2b3f402abcb..42cb5f25f88 100644
--- a/client/connect-account-page/index.tsx
+++ b/client/connect-account-page/index.tsx
@@ -95,6 +95,16 @@ const ConnectAccountPage: React.FC = () => {
 	const loaderProgressRef = useRef( testDriveLoaderProgress );
 	loaderProgressRef.current = testDriveLoaderProgress;
 
+	// Use a timer to track the elapsed time for the test drive mode setup.
+	let testDriveSetupStartTime: number;
+	// The test drive setup will be forced finished after 40 seconds
+	// (10 seconds for the initial calls plus 30 for checking the account status in a loop).
+	const testDriveSetupMaxDuration = 40;
+
+	// Helper function to calculate the elapsed time in seconds.
+	const elapsed = ( time: number ) =>
+		Math.round( ( Date.now() - time ) / 1000 );
+
 	const {
 		connectUrl,
 		connect: { availableCountries, country },
@@ -173,19 +183,20 @@ const ConnectAccountPage: React.FC = () => {
 			method: 'GET',
 		} ).then( ( account ) => {
 			// Simulate the update of the loader progress bar by 4% per check.
-			// Limit to a maximum of 15 checks or 30 seconds.
-			updateLoaderProgress( 100, 4 );
+			// Limit to a maximum of 10 checks (6% progress per each request starting from 40% = max 10 checks).
+			updateLoaderProgress( 100, 6 );
 
-			// If the account status is not a pending one or progress percentage is above 95,
-			// consider our work done and redirect the merchant.
-			// Otherwise, schedule another check after 2 seconds.
+			// If the account status is not a pending one, the progress percentage is above 95,
+			// or we've exceeded the timeout, consider our work done and redirect the merchant.
+			// Otherwise, schedule another check after a 2.5 seconds wait.
 			if (
 				( account &&
 					( account as AccountData ).status &&
 					! ( account as AccountData ).status.includes(
 						'pending'
 					) ) ||
-				loaderProgressRef.current > 95
+				loaderProgressRef.current > 95 ||
+				elapsed( testDriveSetupStartTime ) > testDriveSetupMaxDuration
 			) {
 				setTestDriveLoaderProgress( 100 );
 				const queryArgs = {
@@ -203,12 +214,18 @@ const ConnectAccountPage: React.FC = () => {
 					...extraQueryArgs,
 				} );
 			} else {
-				setTimeout( () => checkAccountStatus( extraQueryArgs ), 2000 );
+				// Schedule another check after 2.5 seconds.
+				// 2.5 seconds plus 0.5 seconds for the fetch request is 3 seconds.
+				// With a maximum of 10 checks, we will wait for 30 seconds before ending the process normally.
+				setTimeout( () => checkAccountStatus( extraQueryArgs ), 2500 );
 			}
 		} );
 	};
 
 	const handleSetupTestDriveMode = async () => {
+		// Record the start time of the test drive setup.
+		testDriveSetupStartTime = Date.now();
+		// Initialize the progress bar.
 		setTestDriveLoaderProgress( 5 );
 		setTestDriveModeSubmitted( true );
 		trackConnectAccountClicked( true );
@@ -256,6 +273,7 @@ const ConnectAccountPage: React.FC = () => {
 					}
 
 					clearInterval( updateProgress );
+					// Update the progress bar to 40% since we've finished the initial account setup.
 					setTestDriveLoaderProgress( 40 );
 
 					// Check the url for the `wcpay-connection-success` parameter, indicating a successful connection.