Bangor to South Berwick is 172.8 miles and takes about 3h 24m via I-95 and I-295, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Maine for its entirety, moving south through the Northeast region. It's a straightforward trip that primarily uses the Maine Turnpike, making it a convenient option for a single day. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, it’s an easy choice for a quick getaway or a practical way to get from one point to another in the state.
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
86.4 miles from Bangor, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
80.1 mi
1h 27m
I 295
53.2 mi
1h 2m
Maine Turnpike
23.8 mi
25m
North Berwick Road
5.2 mi
7m
Portland Street
3.7 mi
5m
Elm Street
2.8 mi
4m
Wells Street
1.5 mi
3m
Hammond Street
1.2 mi
3m
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 South Berwick, 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
24 mi·25 min·Maine Turnpike
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 19Toward ME 9, ME 109: Wells, Sanford
8
Turn right onto ME 109; ME 9
0.6 mi·1 min·Sanford Road
9
Turn left onto North Berwick Road
5.2 mi·7 min·North Berwick Road
10
Continue on ME 9
1.5 mi·3 min·Wells Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto ME 9; ME 4
2.8 mi·4 min·Elm Street
12
Continue on ME 4
3.7 mi·5 min·Portland Street
13
At end of road, turn right onto ME 236
194 ft·12 sec·Main Street
14
Turn left onto Scotts Court
228 ft·10 sec·Scotts Court
15
Arrive at destination
Scotts Court
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 3h 24m drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits you best. Leaving mid-morning would allow you to avoid the busiest rush hour traffic in the Portland area. With only one recommended stop, you can easily break up the drive for a quick stretch or to refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering the longer 80.1-mile stretch on I-95, as services can be spaced out between exits. The $28 fuel estimate is based on average prices, so adjust as needed for current conditions.
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 86.4 miles from Bangor, ME, or about 1h 37m 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 38 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.4 miles or 1h 37m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Berwick, 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 172.8 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 81.6 and 172.8 — 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
158.6 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward ME 9, ME 109: Wells, Sanford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 19
Toward ME 9, ME 109: Wells, Sanford
5
172.8 mi into trip|~3h 23m in|ME 236 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto ME 236 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
172.8 mi into trip|~3h 23m in|Scotts Court
Turn left onto Scotts Court
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.47 one way
$46.94 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$26.19
$52.38
premium
$4.15
$28.23
$56.47
diesel
$3.75
$25.51
$51.02
Estimated Tolls: $1.43
Maine Turnpike
(23.8 mi)$1.43
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
$23
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.8
0
$18.14
$8.29
Efficient EV
43.2
0
$15.12
$6.91
EV Truck/SUV
69.1
0
$24.19
$11.06
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Bangor, ME
Morning
in Bangor on Sunday
Local time
10:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Light Rain
S 9 to 17 mph94% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
Destination
South Berwick, ME
Morning
in South Berwick on Sunday
Local time
10:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Rain then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph78% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
36°F
Brunswick, ME
86 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
7 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 89.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is overwhelmingly a highway experience, with 91% of the route on major interstates. You'll encounter a 80.1-mile stretch on I-95, which is the longest continuous section of highway driving. After this, you'll transition to surface roads for the final portion of your drive. Expect a high density of exits and merging traffic as you navigate the turnpike system.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 295. You will hit about 10 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 Effort5/10
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 172.8 miles you will encounter 10 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 158.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
256 ft48 ft
Total Climb
396 ft
Total Descent
395 ft
Highest Point
256 ft
~37 mi in
Elevation Range
208 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bangor, ME and South Berwick, ME, road signs point toward Brunswick and Sanford.
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: 172.8 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 (91%). 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 $1.43 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 9 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 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 158.6 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 South Berwick, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
