This 172.4-mile journey from Ellsworth to Biddeford, Maine, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, utilizing Main Street and Bucksport Road before connecting with Acadia Highway. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $28, this route offers a straightforward, turn-heavy local drive. Since it's not a long haul, you have the flexibility to depart when you're ready and enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed. The drive stays within the Northeast region, providing a consistent New England experience.
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
77.5 miles from Ellsworth, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
53.2 mi
1h 2m
Belfast Augusta Road
17.6 mi
21m
Route 1
15.2 mi
18m
Acadia Highway
13.4 mi
15m
Maine Turnpike
13.2 mi
14m
North Belfast Avenue
9.1 mi
13m
Bucksport Road
8.5 mi
9m
Augusta Road
4.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 53.2 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellsworth, ME and Biddeford, ME.
1
Start on Main Street
0.5 mi·41 sec·Main Street
2
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3
278 ft·3 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on US 1; ME 3
8.5 mi·9 min·Bucksport Road
4
Continue on US 1; ME 3
9.4 mi·10 min·Acadia Highway
5
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
1.0 mi·1 min·Route 1
6
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
135 ft·9 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto US 1; ME 3
0.1 mi·16 sec·Route 1
Use the left lane.
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
0.7 mi·1 min·Route 1
12
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi·38 sec·ME 3
13
Keep slight right at fork onto ME 3
373 ft·12 sec·ME 3
14
Merge onto ME 3
3.9 mi·4 min·Belmont Avenue
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi·5 min·Augusta Road
16
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi·3 min·Belfast Augusta Road East
17
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Acadia Highway
18
Continue on ME 3
18 mi·21 min·Belfast Augusta Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi·16 sec·Belfast Road
20
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi·11 min·North Belfast Avenue
21
Turn left onto US 202; ME 9
1.0 mi·1 min·North Belfast Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100
0.6 mi·52 sec·Bangor Street
23
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
159 ft·3 sec·Memorial Drive
24
Continue on US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi·1 min·Memorial Drive
25
Enter roundabout onto US 201; ME 27
401 ft·7 sec·State Street
26
Continue on US 201; ME 27
0.2 mi·19 sec·State Street
27
Turn right onto Capitol Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Capitol Street
28
Turn straight onto Armory Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Armory Street
29
Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
32
Merge onto I 95
5.9 mi·6 min·Maine Turnpike
33
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.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
2.6 mi·3 min·I 295
35
Merge onto I 95
7.3 mi·7 min·Maine Turnpike
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 36Toward I 195 East: Saco, Old Orchard Beach
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 35Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
38
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·18 sec·this road
Exit 35Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
39
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 35Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
40
Turn left onto ME 112
212 ft·4 sec·Buxton Road
41
Continue on ME 112
1.7 mi·3 min·North Street
42
Turn right onto ME 9; US 1 Alternate
0.9 mi·1 min·Main Street
43
Arrive at destination
US 1 Alternate
Trip Plan
With a duration of under 3 hours, this 172.4-mile trip from Ellsworth to Biddeford is easily manageable in one day. You can depart at your leisure, but consider an early start if you wish to maximize your time at your destination. Pace yourself with stops as needed; since there are no long highway stretches, you’ll likely encounter opportunities for breaks fairly regularly. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $28, and ensure you have enough for the entire journey. A specific tip for this turn-heavy route: familiarize yourself with your GPS or map beforehand to anticipate the frequent changes in direction.
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 77.5 miles from Ellsworth, ME, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.2 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 34 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.5 miles or 1h 36m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Biddeford, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ellsworth, 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 Ellsworth, ME
This is one driving day of about 155 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Ellsworth, 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 295 for about 53.2 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.4 and 152.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
19.4 mi into trip|~22m in|US 1; ME 3 / Route 1
Turn left onto US 1; ME 3 / Route 1
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
84.3 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
9
90.9 mi into trip|~1h 55m 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...
7
151.5 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 35
Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
8
152.2 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 35
Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.95 one way
$49.91 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$27.45
$54.91
premium
$4.86
$29.68
$59.36
diesel
$5.61
$34.22
$68.44
Estimated Tolls: $0.80
Maine Turnpike
(13.2 mi)$0.80
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
$25
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.5
0
$16.28
$7.44
Efficient EV
38.8
0
$13.56
$6.20
EV Truck/SUV
62
0
$21.70
$9.92
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 20, 2026
Origin
Ellsworth, ME
Late night
in Ellsworth on Tuesday
Local time
4:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Biddeford, ME
Late night
in Biddeford on Tuesday
Local time
4:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Augusta, ME
78 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
3h 12m 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.
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...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
$6
Park Closure: Cadillac Summit Road Closed for Construction
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 101.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with 0% highway share. This means you'll be engaging with local traffic and road conditions for the entire 172.4 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch without a turn is not specified, suggesting frequent navigation adjustments. This type of driving requires your full attention as you transition through various local roads, including Main Street, Bucksport Road, and Acadia Highway. The character of the drive will likely involve passing through towns and varied landscapes rather than long, straight highway stretches.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.2 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.4 miles in near US 1; ME 3 / Route 1.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 155 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.4 miles (US 1; ME 3 / Route 1): Lane positioning matters here; at 84.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.9 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ellsworth, ME and Biddeford, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor, Kittery and Brunswick.
Waterville
84 mi in|~1h 47m
Bangor
84 mi in|~1h 47m
Kittery
84.3 mi in|~1h 47m
Brunswick
90.9 mi in|~1h 55m|via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 155 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.2 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.80 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 Biddeford, 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 19.4 miles (US 1; ME 3 / Route 1): Lane positioning matters here; at 84.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.9 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Acadia National Park and Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Biddeford, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
