Brunswick to Kennebunkport is 55.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 14 minutes via I 295 and Maine Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, specifically Maine, making it a straightforward drive. With 81% of the route on the highway, expect a quick and efficient transit between these two points. This is a great option if you're looking for a short, easy drive to connect two popular Maine destinations without a significant time commitment.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
27.8 mi
34m
Maine Turnpike
17.4 mi
18m
Summer Street
2 mi
3m
Fletcher Street
1.9 mi
3m
Port Road
1.5 mi
2m
Pleasant Street
1.5 mi
3m
Cumberland Street
0.5 mi
1m
Western Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 27.8 mi, about 34m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 39 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,557 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,064
Quietest
2 AM
~87 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
29.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Brunswick, ME and Kennebunkport, ME.
1
Start on Pleasant Street
160 ft·12 sec·Pleasant Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn left onto ME 24 Business
445 ft·21 sec·Maine Street
3
Turn left onto Cumberland Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Cumberland Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 1
493 ft·12 sec·Mill Street
5
Turn right onto US 1
1.4 mi·2 min·Pleasant Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·41 sec
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.6 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 South: Freeport, Portland
8
Merge onto I 295
25 mi·30 min·I 295
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
2.6 mi·3 min·I 295
10
Merge onto I 95
17 mi·18 min·Maine Turnpike
11
Take the exit
228 ft·5 sec
Exit 25Toward ME 35: Kennebunk, KennebunkportUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 25Toward ME 35: Kennebunk, Kennebunkport
13
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·1 min·this road
14
At end of road, turn left onto ME 35
0.2 mi·30 sec·Alewive Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto ME 35
1.4 mi·2 min·Fletcher Street
16
Enter roundabout onto ME 35
89 ft·2 sec·Fletcher Street
17
Continue on ME 35
0.4 mi·49 sec·Fletcher Street
18
Turn left onto US 1; ME 9A; ME 35
247 ft·10 sec·Main Street
19
Turn slight right onto ME 9A; ME 35
2.0 mi·3 min·Summer Street
20
Continue on ME 9A; ME 35
1.5 mi·2 min·Port Road
21
Turn left onto ME 9
0.2 mi·36 sec·Western Avenue
22
Continue on Dock Square
464 ft·15 sec·Dock Square
23
Arrive at destination
Dock Square
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 27.9 miles from Brunswick, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 49.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.6 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 295 South: Freeport, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 295 South: Freeport, Portland
5
4.2 mi into trip|~8m in|I 295
Merge onto I 295
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
49.3 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward ME 35: Kennebunk, Kennebunkport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward ME 35: Kennebunk, Kennebunkport
8
49.4 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward ME 35: Kennebunk, Kennebunkport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 25
Toward ME 35: Kennebunk, Kennebunkport
7
49.9 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|ME 35 / Alewive Road
At end of road, turn left onto ME 35 / Alewive Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.88 one way
$19.76 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg20 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$10.82
$21.65
premium
$5.29
$11.64
$23.28
diesel
$5.35
$11.77
$23.55
Estimated Tolls: $1.04
Maine Turnpike
(17.4 mi)$1.04
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$1
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
16.8
0
$5.87
$2.68
Efficient EV
14
0
$4.89
$2.24
EV Truck/SUV
22.4
0
$7.83
$3.58
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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 May 22, 2026
Origin
Brunswick, ME
Afternoon
in Brunswick on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 22 at 2:02PM EDT until May 23 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 22 at 1:27PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
Destination
Kennebunkport, ME
Afternoon
in Kennebunkport on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 22 at 2:02PM EDT until May 23 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 22 at 1:27PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
52°F
Falmouth, ME
28 mi in
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
1h 14m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 81% of the 55.9 miles covered on high-speed roads like I 295 and the Maine Turnpike. You'll encounter your longest stretch without exiting for about 27.8 miles on I 295. After the highway portion, you'll transition to surface streets like Summer Street for the final segment. Be prepared for a fairly continuous cruising experience for most of the trip.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.8 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.9 miles you will encounter 17 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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Pay a visit to picturesque Brunswick, Maine, and you'll discover something special, something greater than the sum of its parts. It's a classic New England charmer to be sure. Surrounded by pine forests and nestled into a crook of the Androscoggin River, natural beauty is in no short supply. History buffs will appreciate Bowdoin College and her several museums of note; while literature mavens will recognize Brunswick as the setting where Harriet Beecher Stowe penned Uncle Tom's Cabin, a 19th century clarion call for America's abolitionist movement.
Today, several talented chefs have chosen to call this town of 22,000 (2020) home. They've taken the areas already burgeoning food scene and iterated on it, serving up some truly extraordinary cuisine. When you combine the gastronomic offerings, retail options, and a proximity to nature—well, it just adds up to package that's hard to beat.
Top landmarks
•Federal Street Historic District — historic district in Brunswick, Maine
•Harriet Beecher Stowe House — historic house in Maine, United States
•Bowdoin College Museum of Art — museum at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine
Kennebunkport is a coastal town in southern Maine. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state. It is known for its shopping, atmosphere, and for providing access to Maine breaches. The Bush family, including two United States presidents, often visit their compound on nearby Walker's Point.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 14m. Total distance: 55.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.8 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.04 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 2 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 Kennebunkport, ME before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Kennebunkport, ME before heading back.
