Bangor to Kittery is 178.4 miles and takes about 3h 24m via I 95, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you entirely within Maine, moving south from the Northeast region. It's a straightforward, primarily highway route that's ideal for a single-day drive. You'll find it a practical option for getting from one part of the state to another without much fuss.
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
89.2 miles from Bangor, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
80.1 mi
1h 27m
I 295
53.2 mi
1h 2m
Maine Turnpike
41.5 mi
44m
ME 236
1.4 mi
4m
Hammond Street
1.2 mi
3m
Whipple Road
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 80.1 mi, about 1h 27m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 78 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,550 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,104
Quietest
2 AM
~86 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
29.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bangor, ME and Kittery, ME.
1
Start on US 2; ME 100
1.2 mi·3 min·Hammond Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
3
Merge onto I 95; ME 15
80 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 95; ME 15
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
51 mi·58 min·I 295
Exit 103Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, BrunswickUse the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
2.6 mi·3 min·I 295
6
Merge onto I 95
41 mi·44 min·Maine Turnpike
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 2Toward ME 236: Kittery, South Berwick
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 2Toward US 1, ME 236, US 1 Bypass: Kittery, South Berwick
9
Keep slight right at fork
516 ft·15 sec
Exit 2Toward US 1, ME 236, US 1 Bypass: Kittery, South Berwick
10
Turn straight onto ME 236
0.3 mi·43 sec·ME 236
11
Enter roundabout onto ME 236
431 ft·14 sec·ME 236
12
Continue on ME 236
1.0 mi·3 min·ME 236
13
Arrive at destination
ME 103
Trip Plan
Since this is a shorter, 1-day drive, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Bangor in the morning should get you to Kittery with plenty of afternoon time. With a $29 fuel estimate, you'll want to top off your tank before leaving Bangor to avoid needing to stop midway. The Maine Turnpike has service plazas, but planning a break around the 80.1-mile stretch on I 95 is a good idea to stay comfortable.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 89.2 miles from Bangor, ME, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.1 miles.
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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.2 miles or 1h 40m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kittery, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 178.4 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Bangor, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 80.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 81.6 and 176.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
81.6 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|I 295
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 103
Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Bru...
4
132.2 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
176.3 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward ME 236: Kittery, South Berwick
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 2
Toward ME 236: Kittery, South Berwick
7
176.7 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1, ME 236, US 1 Bypass: Kittery, South Berwick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 2
Toward US 1, ME 236, US 1 Bypass: Kittery, Sout...
8
176.9 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1, ME 236, US 1 Bypass: Kittery, South Berwick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 2
Toward US 1, ME 236, US 1 Bypass: Kittery, Sout...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.72 one way
$59.43 round trip
$4.23/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.70
$32.98
$65.95
premium
$5.07
$35.58
$71.16
diesel
$5.60
$39.33
$78.65
Estimated Tolls: $2.49
Maine Turnpike
(41.5 mi)$2.49
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
$30
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.5
0
$18.73
$8.56
Efficient EV
44.6
0
$15.61
$7.14
EV Truck/SUV
71.4
0
$24.98
$11.42
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Aug 15, 2026
Origin
Bangor, ME
Night
in Bangor on Tuesday
Local time
11:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
N 3 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 14 at 7:57PM EDT until August 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
Destination
Kittery, ME
Night
in Kittery on Tuesday
Local time
11:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 14 at 7:57PM EDT until August 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
74°F
Brunswick, ME
89 mi in
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 24m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Frances Perkins National Monument
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 92.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 99% highway, meaning you'll spend almost the entire 3h 24m on major interstates. The longest continuous stretch on I 95 is 80.1 miles, so expect long periods of consistent cruising. You'll notice many exits as you travel south, indicating a well-connected corridor. The Maine Turnpike is the main artery for most of this trip.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.1 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 295. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 81.6 miles in near I 295.
Driving Effort6/10
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 178.4 miles you will encounter 8 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 81.6 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.2 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 176.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
287 ft25 ft
Total Climb
515 ft
Total Descent
605 ft
Highest Point
287 ft
~38.2 mi in
Elevation Range
262 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bangor, ME to Kittery, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
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
•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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 178.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.1 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.49 in tolls one way, starting with Maine Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kittery, ME before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through ME can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 81.6 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.2 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 176.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Kittery, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
