Bangor to Oxford is 120 miles and takes about 2 hours 30 minutes via I 95 and US 202, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maine, connecting two points in the Northeast region. The drive is mostly on highways, making for a straightforward and relatively quick transit between these two locations. With only one day recommended, it's a manageable drive for most travelers looking for direct passage within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60 miles from Bangor, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
73.4 mi
1h 20m
US 202
12.8 mi
14m
Route 202
6.6 mi
7m
Main Street
5.4 mi
6m
Mechanic Falls Road
4.2 mi
6m
Minot Avenue
4.1 mi
7m
Western Avenue
2.8 mi
3m
Pleasant Street
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 73.4 mi, about 1h 20m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,611 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,052
Quietest
1 AM
~58 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Oxford, 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
73 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 95; ME 15
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 109BToward US 202 West, ME 11 West, ME 17 West, ME 100 West: Winthrop
5
Turn right onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
2.8 mi·3 min·Western Avenue
6
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
13 mi·14 min·US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.9 mi·1 min·US Route 202
8
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
2.7 mi·3 min·Route 202
9
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.6 mi·42 sec·US Route 202
10
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
3.8 mi·4 min·Route 202
11
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
4.9 mi·5 min·Main Street
12
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
2.2 mi·3 min·Court Street
13
Turn right onto ME 11; ME 121
4.1 mi·7 min·Minot Avenue
14
Continue on ME 11; ME 121
1.8 mi·2 min·Mechanic Falls Road
15
Continue on ME 11; ME 121
1.7 mi·3 min·Lewiston Street
16
Continue on ME 11; ME 121
2.2 mi·4 min·Pleasant Street
17
Continue on ME 121
2.4 mi·3 min·Mechanic Falls Road
18
At end of road, turn right onto ME 26; ME 121
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto ME 121
1.1 mi·2 min·King Street
20
Continue on King Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·King Street
21
Arrive at destination
King Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a 120-mile drive taking under 2.5 hours, you have plenty of flexibility for departure time. Leaving Bangor in the morning will give you ample time to reach Oxford without feeling rushed, and you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $20, and it's always wise to fill up before heading out. The longest stretch without a major break is over 73 miles on I 95, so consider a quick stop before that segment if you prefer shorter driving periods.
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 60 miles from Bangor, ME, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.4 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60 miles or 1h 8m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oxford, 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 120 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Bangor, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 73.4 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 118 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
1.5 mi into trip|~4m in|I 95; ME 15
Merge onto I 95; ME 15
Merge point - match speed before joining
6
74.9 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 202 West, ME 11 West, ME 17 West, ME 100 West: Winthrop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 109B
Toward US 202 West, ME 11 West, ME 17 West, ME...
3
75.1 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100 / Western Avenue
Turn right onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100 / Western Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
105.9 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|ME 11; ME 121 / Minot Avenue
Turn right onto ME 11; ME 121 / Minot Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
118 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|ME 26; ME 121 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto ME 26; ME 121 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.21 one way
$42.43 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$23.23
$46.47
premium
$5.29
$24.99
$49.97
diesel
$5.35
$25.28
$50.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36
0
$12.60
$5.76
Efficient EV
30
0
$10.50
$4.80
EV Truck/SUV
48
0
$16.80
$7.68
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Bangor, ME
Afternoon
in Bangor on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Patchy Fog
NE 2 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Oxford, ME
Afternoon
in Oxford on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Scattered Rain Showers
NE 5 mph35% chanceLive forecast
74°F
Winthrop, ME
60 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
3 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
2h 27m 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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 74.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 79% of the 120 miles on major roads like I 95. You'll experience a long stretch of 73.4 miles on I 95 before transitioning to US 202. Expect a more rural cruising feel once you leave the interstate, with fewer exits and a different pace of travel. The change from high-speed interstate to surface roads will be noticeable as you approach your destination.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.4 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and US 202. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near I 95; ME 15.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Bangor, ME to Oxford, ME is easy. At 2h 27m with 79% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 74.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.1 miles (US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100 / Western Avenue): Navigation decision point.
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
The longest stretch is about 73.4 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 1.5 miles (I 95; ME 15): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 74.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.1 miles (US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100 / Western Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument. 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 Oxford, ME before heading back.
