Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 13m
Distance
155.2 mi
250 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bangor, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Hiram, ME
Photography Maghradze PH
Bangor to Hiram is 155 miles and takes about 3 hours 13 minutes via I 95 and ME 113, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, both starting and ending in Maine. Expect a straightforward drive that's mostly highway, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. You'll encounter a fairly direct path, so it’s a good choice if you want to cover ground efficiently without a lot of complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77.6 miles from Bangor, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 80.1 mi | 1h 27m |
| Maine Turnpike | 39.2 mi | 42m |
| ME 113 | 16.7 mi | 28m |
| Chadbourne Road | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Tandberg Trail | 3.6 mi | 7m |
| West Gray Road | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| Northeast Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Ossipee Trail East | 2 mi | 3m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,630 veh/hr typical · worst 2,119
Quietest
1 AM
~58 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
28.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Bangor, ME and Hiram, ME.
Start on US 2; ME 100
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95; ME 15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 202; ME 4
Continue on ME 115
Continue on Chadbourne Road
Continue on ME 35
Turn right onto ME 25
Turn right onto ME 113
Turn right onto ME 117
Arrive at destination
Given the 3-hour drive time, leaving Bangor in the morning allows ample time to reach Hiram without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to break up the drive as needed, perhaps around the halfway point or when fuel is low. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without exits is over 80 miles on I 95. The $25 fuel estimate suggests a relatively economical trip, so plan accordingly for any potential price fluctuations in Maine.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 34 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.6 miles or 1h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hiram, ME than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Bangor, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bangor, ME
This is one driving day of about 155.2 miles and 3h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 77.6 miles from Bangor, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 120.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Merge onto I 95; ME 15
Merge point - match speed before joining
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Maine Turnpike toward I 95 South: Lewiston, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward US 202, ME 115, ME 4: Grey, New Gloucester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$25.85 one way
$51.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.70 | $28.69 | $57.38 |
| premium | $5.07 | $30.95 | $61.91 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $34.21 | $68.42 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.35
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.30 | $7.45 |
| Efficient EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.58 | $6.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.73 | $9.93 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Bangor on Friday
Local time
5:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Patchy Fog then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Evening in Hiram on Friday
Local time
5:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Sunny
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Monument
Known as the first woman to hold a presidential cabinet position and the “Woman behind the New Deal,” Frances Perkins championed many labor rights that Americans enjoy today, including safety standard...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route is primarily highway driving, with 88% of the total distance on faster roads like I 95 and the Maine Turnpike. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 80.1 miles on I 95, offering a consistent cruising experience. The highway portion will eventually transition to surface roads, specifically ME 113, as you approach your destination. Expect a noticeable shift from high-speed travel to more local road conditions.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Maine Turnpike. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near I 95; ME 15.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 155.2 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (I 95; ME 15): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 81.6 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.3 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
401 ft
Total Descent
149 ft
Highest Point
367 ft
~155.2 mi in
Elevation Range
252 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bangor, ME and Hiram, ME, road signs point toward Portland and New Gloucester.
Portland
New Gloucester
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.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 155.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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