Bangor, ME Road Trips
With 12 routes heading out and 1 heading in, Bangor, ME works well as a modest departure point in the Northeast. Most drives stay under 129 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Most routes from Bangor, ME head west, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
13
Longest Drive
195 mi
Van Buren, ME
Quickest Drive
1h 35m
Winthrop, ME
Plan Around Bangor, ME
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Bangor, ME is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Bangor, ME
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Bangor, ME
Bangor, ME to South Eliot, ME
Bangor, ME to South Sanford, ME
Bangor, ME to Newfield, ME
Bangor, ME to Cornish, ME
Bangor, ME to Denmark, ME
Bangor, ME to Bridgton, ME
Bangor, ME to Oxford, ME
Bangor, ME to Yarmouth, ME
Bangor, ME to Hartford, ME
Bangor, ME to Bowdoinham, ME
Bangor, ME to Readfield, ME
Bangor, ME to Winthrop, ME
Driving from Bangor, ME
On average, trips departing from Bangor, ME run 129 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 34m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 180 miles (3h 26m), while the shortest is just 84 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Bangor, ME most often head toward South Eliot, ME (179.5 mi, 3h 26m), South Sanford, ME (163 mi, 3h 8m), Newfield, ME (155.5 mi, 3h 13m), Cornish, ME (151 mi, 3h 3m), and Denmark, ME (147.8 mi, 3h 5m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 129-mile drive from Bangor, ME, expect to burn about 5.1 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 12 mapped routes leaving Bangor, ME and 1 routes heading into Bangor, ME, covering 13 total connections. Distances range from 84 to 180 miles.
The longest mapped route from Bangor, ME covers 180 miles and takes approximately 3h 26m. Shorter options start at just 84 miles.
The average route from Bangor, ME runs about 129 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 34m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from Bangor, ME include South Eliot, ME, South Sanford, ME, Newfield, ME and Cornish, ME. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Bangor, ME by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
31,663
Median Income
$58,096
Median Home Value
$206,300
Median Age
40.7
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Notable People from Bangor, ME
A sampling of people born in Bangor, ME.
William Cohen
1940
American politician (born 1940)
Joe Hill
1972
American horror writer (born 1972)
John Baldacci
1955
American politician (born 1955)
Stephanie Niznik
1967–2019
American actress (1967–2019)
Charles Rocket
1949–2005
American actor, comedian (1949-2005)
Jeff Turner
1962
basketball player
Chuck Peddle
1937–2019
American electrical engineer (1937-2019)
Sarah Parcak
1979
American archaeologist and egyptologist
Howie Day
1981
American musician
Landmarks & Historic Sites
Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Bangor, ME.
Mount Hope Cemetery
cemetery in Bangor, Maine
Bangor Public Library
library in Bangor, Maine
Great Fire of 1911 Historic District
historic district in Bangor, Maine
Bangor House
historic former hotel at 174 Main Street in downtown Bangor, Maine
Whitney Park Historic District
historic district in Bangor, Maine, United States
West Market Square Historic District
historic district in Maine, United States
City data from Wikidata (Q327012), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Bangor, ME
Bangor is a small city of 32,000 people (2019) in the Highlands region of Maine. Bangor is the third-largest city in the state and the retail, cultural and service center for central, eastern and northern Maine. It is a good base for exploring Aroostook County, Down East & Acadia, the Maine Highlands and Maine’s Mid-Coast.
Incorporated as a town in 1791, it was sacked by the British during the War of 1812, was known for its strong anti-slavery stance in the Underground Railroad and US Civil War era and was heavily damaged by a 1911 fire. It is the closest city to Fort Knox State Historic Site, built from 1844-1869. As the first US landfall for arriving jetliners from Europe, its international airport is a welcome sight to pilots who want to throw drunkard passengers off inbound commercial flights. Its cultural facilities, including the University of Maine, rival much larger cities. As the home of author Stephen King, it appears often in fictional works, but travellers can be assured that as the city is relatively safe and peaceful they will not be eaten by mutant zombies.
1 Penobscot Theatre Company, 131 Main St, ☏ +1 207 942-3333. Bangor Symphony Orchestra, ☏ +1 207 942-5555. Ten Bucks Theatre company, ☏ +1 207 884-1030. Seasonal live theater at Eddington-Clifton Civic Center (Comins Hall)) at 1387 Main Road, Eddington, (10 miles from Brewer on Rt. 9). Summer performances of Shakespeare outdoors in Indian Trail Park and at Fort Knox in Prospect. $10. 2 Zillman Art Museum at University of Maine, 40 Harlow St, ☏ +1 207-581-3300. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. Modern and contemporary art, especially after 1945, with many original prints and photography. Free. (updated Apr 2025)
1 Thomas Hill Standpipe, ☏ +1 207 947-4516. 110-ft (34 m) tall water tower that gives the Queen City its "crown," open seasonally for tours. From the observation deck you can see to Mt. Katahdin on a clear day; enjoy the famous Maine foliage in the autumn. This requires climbing 100 steps, and is not handicapped accessible. 2 Maine Discovery Museum, 74 Main St, ☏ +1 207 262-7200. Three-story Bangor Children's Museum, ideal for preschoolers but stimulating and entertaining for kids of all ages. $7.50. (updated Jan 2018) 3 Hollywood Casino, 500 Main St, ☏ +1 877-779-7771. 8AM-2PM, daily. One of only two licensed casinos in the state of Maine, the casino features 923 slot machines as well as table games. Also has a restaurant with gourmet hot dogs along with sandwiches and snacks, a pub, and an attached hotel. Live harness racing April-Nov, and simulcast every day. (updated Apr 2025) Stephen King's House, 47 West Broadway. Open 24/7, creepiest at night. Victorian mansion, home to the famed horror novelist, with wrought-iron bats and spiders on the gate. A must-see for fans of Bangor's most famous resident!. (updated Jan 2021) Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race. April Bangor Band. Free Tuesday night concerts around Bangor through the summer, as well as other performances throughout the year. Waterfront Concerts. Statewide concert series including entertainers such as Weird Al Yankovic, Mötley Crüe, and the Indigo Girls. Venues in the Bangor area include the outdoor Maine Savings Amphitheatre, the Cross Insurance Center, and the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono.
Bagel Central, 33 Central St, ☏ +1 207 947-1654. Bagels, sandwiches, soups and baked goods. Bright dining area with tall ceilings and full length windows. Taste of India, 68 Main St, ☏ +1 207 945-6865. Indian food, lunch specials, buffet W-F. Good Indian beer and (domestic?) wine selection, Beside Maine Discovery Museum. $7 (lunch special), $10-12 (evening). Dysart's Restaurant, 530 Coldbrook Road, Hermon, ☏ +1 207 942-4878. Open 24/7. Truck stop with repair garage, reasonably-priced family food, travel store, event facilities for 10-200, deli and bakery, Greyhound bus stop. Mason's, 15 Hardy St., Brewer, ☏ +1 207 989 6300. Rustic, spacious beerhall featuring its own artisanal brews & pub grub such as pizzas & burgers. Has an excellent view of the Penobscot River and offers outdoor dining with heat lamps that actually work very well. (updated Jan 2021) Timber Kitchen & Bar, 22 Bass Park Boulevard (on the first floor of the Residence Inn Bangor), ☏ +1 207 433 0844. Upscale spot for wood-fired New American, Maine-inspired entrees, pizza & burgers, plus craft beers & cocktails. Often considered the nicest restaurant in town. (updated Jan 2021)
Sea Dog Brewing Co., 26 Front St, ☏ +1 207 947-8004. Paddy Murphy's, 26 Main St, ☏ +1 207 945 6800. Plenty of brews, Irish & American bar food & nightly events are on tap at this polished-looking pub right in the center of downtown Bangor. (updated Jan 2021) Geaghan's Pub & Craft Brewery, 570 Main St, ☏ +1 207 945 3730. Long-standing Irish pub with a cheerful, down-to-earth vibe & a vast menu from pancakes to ribs. (updated Jan 2021)
Unless you want to stay downtown, the "better cheap hotels" are concentrated in the "Odlin Road" area, which is near I-95 and the airport. Best Western White House Inn, 155 Littlefield Ave, ☏ +1 207 862-3737, toll-free: +1-800-780-7234, fax: +1 207 862-3737. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Continental breakfast, restaurant adjacent. Outdoor pool, seasonal walking path, exercise room, business center, lounge, guest laundry. Some theme rooms available with fireplace and Jacuzzi tub. The Phenix, 20 Broad St, ☏ +1 629-205-1625. 19th century art gallery hotel. Morning meal included, wi-fi. Courtyard by Marriott, 236 Sylvan Rd (I-95 exit 187 (Hogan Rd), then immediate right onto Sylvan Rd.), ☏ +1 207 262-0070, fax: +1 207 262-0090. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Bistro on-site for breakfast and dinner. Wired and wireless Internet. $120-150. Fairfield Inn Bangor, 300 Odlin Rd, ☏ +1 207 990-0001, fax: +1 207 990-0917. Wi-fi, refrigerator, breakfast included, near airport. $100-130. Fireside Inns & Suites, 570 Main St (I-395 and Main Street), ☏ +1 207 942-1234, fax: +1 207 942-1234. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Beside casino, pet-friendly and fireplace rooms available. Wi-fi, lobby computer, 24 hour coffee bar. Geaghan's Restaurant & Pub +1 207 945-3730. Bangor Aviator Hotel, 308 Godfrey Blvd, ☏ +1 207 947-6721. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Connected directly to the Bangor Int'l Airport via an enclosed skywalk. Wi-fi, Godfrey's Lounge on-site. (updated Oct 2024) Hilton Garden Inn Bangor, 250 Haskell Rd., ☏ +1 207 262-0099.
1 Bangor International Airport (BGR IATA), 287 Godfrey Boulevard (Exit 183 on Interstate 95), ☏ +1 207 947-0384. Bangor has year-round non-stop service on American from Philadelphia, Washington-National and Charlotte (seasonally); United from Newark, Washington-Dulles and Chicago O'Hare (seasonally); Breeze Airways from Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Myers; and Allegiant from Orlando-Sanford and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida. (updated Oct 2024) Concord Coach Lines, 1039 Union St (depot) (across from airport), ☏ +1 207 945-4000. Express or local routes from Boston through Portland. Greyhound Lines, Dysart's Travel Stop @ 530 Coldbrook Road, Hermon, ☏ +1 207 945-3000. Connections from Boston and Portland. Cyr Bus Lines, 153 Gilman Falls Ave, ☏ +1 207 827-2010, toll-free: +1-800-244-2335. Service from Caribou, Presque Isle, and Houlton. Downeast Transportation. Bus service from Bar Harbor, Ellsworth, and Trenton. (updated Jul 2025) West Bus. Bus service from Calais. (updated Jul 2024)
Downtown Bangor and the waterfront is easily explored by foot; the nearby Pickering Square parking garage offers the first two hours for free. Traveling to sites outside of downtown will require a car. Community Connector, ☏ +1 207 992-4670. Provides public bus service in Bangor and some surrounding towns. Single rides $1.50.
Travel tips adapted from Bangor (Maine) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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