Origin
Bangor, ME
Late night in Bangor on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bangor, ME to Owls Head, ME
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 39m
Distance
68.8 mi
111 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 32m
★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bangor, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Owls Head, ME
Tom Nebel
Trip Overview
Bangor to Owls Head is 68.8 miles and takes about 1 hour 39 minutes via Route 1 and Atlantic Highway, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Maine, taking you from the Northeast region of Bangor to the coastal Northeast. Expect a local, turn-heavy experience rather than a high-speed dash. With less than 30% highway driving, this route is best suited for those who enjoy a more leisurely pace and navigating local roads. It's a straightforward, one-day trip perfect for a scenic afternoon drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.4 miles from Bangor, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Route 1 | 16.4 mi | 20m |
| River Road | 15.2 mi | 22m |
| Atlantic Highway | 12.2 mi | 13m |
| Commercial Street | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Searsport Avenue | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| North Shore Drive | 2.6 mi | 6m |
| Main Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Belfast Road | 2.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Route 1
— 16.4 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bangor, ME and Owls Head, ME.
1
Start on US 2; ME 100
73 ft
·
4 sec
·
Hammond Street
2
Turn slight right onto Union Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Union Street
3
Continue on US 1A; ME 9 Business
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Wilson Street
4
Turn right onto ME 15 Business
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
5
Continue on River Road
15 mi
·
22 min
·
River Road
6
Continue on ME 15
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
7
Turn right onto US 1; ME 3
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Route 1
8
Continue on US 1; ME 3
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 1
9
Continue on US 1; ME 3
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Route 1
10
Continue on US 1; ME 3
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Searsport Avenue
11
Continue on US 1; ME 3
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Route 1
12
Continue on US 1
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Northport Avenue
13
Continue on US 1
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Atlantic Highway
14
Continue on US 1
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Belfast Road
15
Continue on US 1
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
High Street
16
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Main Street
17
Continue on US 1
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Elm Street
18
Continue on US 1
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Commercial Street
19
Continue on US 1
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Camden Street
20
Continue on US 1
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Main Street
21
Turn left onto US 1
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 1
22
Turn left onto US 1
426 ft
·
9 sec
·
Park Street
23
Turn right onto ME 73
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
24
Continue on ME 73
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ingraham Lane
25
Continue on ME 73
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Ingraham Drive
26
Continue on ME 73
352 ft
·
10 sec
·
Weskeag Road
27
Turn left onto North Shore Drive
2.6 mi
·
6 min
·
North Shore Drive
28
Turn sharp left onto Main Street
24 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
29
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short distance of 68.8 miles and a drive time of under 2 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with this trip. Consider leaving Bangor mid-morning to avoid early traffic and arrive in Owls Head with plenty of afternoon daylight. The longest stretch is 16.4 miles, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, though the estimated $9 fuel cost suggests it's not a major concern. Pay attention to the numerous turns, especially as you transition onto local roads like River Road and the Atlantic Highway. This route is ideal for a spontaneous drive where you can stop as you please.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 34.4 miles from Bangor, ME, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.4 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 15 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.4 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Owls Head, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bangor, ME
This is one driving day of about 68.8 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Bangor, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Route 1 for about 16.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.4 miles from Bangor, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 68.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
ME 15 Business / South Main Street
Turn right onto ME 15 Business / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
3
19.1 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
US 1; ME 3 / Route 1
Turn right onto US 1; ME 3 / Route 1
Navigation decision point
3
63.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
US 1
Turn left onto US 1
Navigation decision point
4
64.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
ME 73 / Main Street
Turn right onto ME 73 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
68.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
Main Street
Turn sharp left onto Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.08 one way
$22.15 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $12.19 | $24.37 |
| premium | $4.86 | $13.17 | $26.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.19 | $30.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.22 | $3.30 |
| Efficient EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.02 | $2.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.63 | $4.40 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Owls Head, ME
Late night in Owls Head on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
26°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Belfast, ME
34 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
26 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 39m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 64.1
Park Closure: For Current Visitor Information
Acadia National Park
National Park
Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$6
near mile 23.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with only 26% of the route on highways. You'll primarily be on Route 1, River Road, and the Atlantic Highway. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 16.4 miles along Route 1. Be prepared for frequent turns and a varied road experience as you move from the general highway sections to more localized driving. This isn't a route for setting speed records; instead, it offers a more engaged driving experience.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.4 mi on Route 1.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near ME 15 Business / South Main Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Bangor, ME to Owls Head, ME is easy. At 1h 39m with 26% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (ME 15 Business / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 19.1 miles (US 1; ME 3 / Route 1): Navigation decision point; at 63.7 miles (US 1): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 68.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (26%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 16.4 miles on Route 1. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 0.7 miles (ME 15 Business / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 19.1 miles (US 1; ME 3 / Route 1): Navigation decision point; at 63.7 miles (US 1): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument and Acadia National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Owls Head, ME before heading back.
How this page is built
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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