This 179.5-mile drive from Bangor to South Eliot, Maine, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 26 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing I-95 and I-295, which make up 98% of the route. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $29, making it an economical option. Given its manageable length and primarily highway focus, this route is well-suited as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region, staying within the state of Maine for the entire duration.
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
89.7 miles from Bangor, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m 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
Bolt Hill Road
1.3 mi
3m
Route 236
1.3 mi
2m
Hammond Street
1.2 mi
3m
Leach Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 80.1 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bangor, ME and South Eliot, 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 left at fork
230 ft·7 sec
10
Turn left onto ME 236
1.3 mi·2 min·Route 236
11
Turn left onto Bolt Hill Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Bolt Hill Road
12
Turn left onto Leach Road
74 ft·2 sec·Leach Road
13
Arrive at destination
Leach Road
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 26-minute drive, departing early in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach more populated areas closer to South Eliot. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $29, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider filling up your tank before leaving Bangor to ensure you have ample fuel. The longest stretch without a major break is over 80 miles, so plan your own brief pauses as needed for comfort. Since this is a single-day trip, you can adjust your schedule easily based on your preferences.
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 89.7 miles from Bangor, ME, or about 1h 41m 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 89.7 miles or 1h 41m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Eliot, 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 179.5 miles and 3h 26m.
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 9
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...
5
176.9 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.90 one way
$57.79 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$31.79
$63.59
premium
$4.86
$34.37
$68.75
diesel
$5.61
$39.63
$79.26
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
$29
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.9
0
$18.85
$8.62
Efficient EV
44.9
0
$15.71
$7.18
EV Truck/SUV
71.8
0
$25.13
$11.49
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Bangor, ME
Night
in Bangor on Saturday
Local time
9:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Eliot, ME
Night
in South Eliot on Saturday
Local time
9:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Brunswick, ME
90 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 26m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 92.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the route consisting of interstate travel. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-95 and I-295, also known as the Maine Turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.1 miles on I-95, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent highway speeds. While the terrain might vary subtly, the experience is largely characterized by the efficiency of major interstates, making for a predictable and relatively smooth journey.
98% 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 9 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 179.5 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 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
305 ft19 ft
Total Climb
475 ft
Total Descent
559 ft
Highest Point
305 ft
~38.5 mi in
Elevation Range
286 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 South Eliot, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Brunswick
81.6 mi in|~1h 31m|via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 179.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 South Eliot, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at South Eliot, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
