Ellsworth to Kennebunk is 164.5 miles and takes about 3 hours 23 minutes via I 295 and Maine Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maine, connecting two points in the Northeast region. The drive mixes highway cruising with some surface road driving, making it a manageable one-day excursion. Expect a straightforward trip that's easy to plan and execute, especially if you're looking for a direct route between these two locations.
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
82.3 miles from Ellsworth, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
53.2 mi
1h 2m
Maine Turnpike
23.3 mi
24m
Belfast Augusta Road
17.6 mi
21m
Route 1
15.2 mi
18m
Acadia Highway
13.4 mi
15m
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
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
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 Ellsworth, ME and Kennebunk, 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
17 mi·18 min·Maine Turnpike
36
Take the exit
228 ft·5 sec
Exit 25Toward ME 35: Kennebunk, KennebunkportUse the slight right lane.
37
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 25Toward ME 35: Kennebunk, Kennebunkport
38
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·1 min·this road
39
At end of road, turn left onto ME 35
0.2 mi·30 sec·Alewive Road
Use the left lane.
40
Turn left onto ME 35
1.4 mi·2 min·Fletcher Street
41
Enter roundabout onto ME 35
89 ft·2 sec·Fletcher Street
42
Continue on ME 35
0.4 mi·51 sec·Fletcher Street
43
Turn right onto US 1; ME 9A
0.3 mi·53 sec·Main Street
44
Continue on US 1; ME 9A
0.1 mi·24 sec·York Street
45
Turn right onto Friend Street
128 ft·5 sec·Friend Street
46
Arrive at destination
Friend Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 23-minute drive time, leaving Ellsworth in the morning should get you to Kennebunk with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility; consider stopping around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $29 for this 164.5-mile trip. A good tip for this route is to utilize the Maine Turnpike, which is a toll road and generally well-maintained, but be aware of potential traffic near urban areas as you approach Kennebunk.
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 82.3 miles from Ellsworth, ME, or about 1h 44m 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 36 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.3 miles or 1h 44m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kennebunk, 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 164.5 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.4 and 162 — 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.
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...
8
161.4 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
161.4 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
162 mi into trip|~3h 18m 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
$29.08 one way
$58.16 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$31.85
$63.70
premium
$5.29
$34.25
$68.51
diesel
$5.35
$34.65
$69.30
Estimated Tolls: $1.40
Maine Turnpike
(23.3 mi)$1.40
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
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.4
0
$17.27
$7.90
Efficient EV
41.1
0
$14.39
$6.58
EV Truck/SUV
65.8
0
$23.03
$10.53
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Ellsworth, ME
Afternoon
in Ellsworth on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kennebunk, ME
Afternoon
in Kennebunk on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
51°F
Augusta, ME
82 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 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 23m 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.
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...
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 102.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 57% highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your time on faster roads like I 295 and the Maine Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 53.2 miles on I 295. You'll transition from highway to surface roads, indicated by the mixed highway and surface profile. Be prepared for more frequent exits and potentially slower speeds as you move onto roads like the Belfast Augusta Road.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
46 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 24 significant decision points across 164.5 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 90.9 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
392 ft35 ft
Total Climb
738 ft
Total Descent
768 ft
Highest Point
392 ft
~58.8 mi in
Elevation Range
357 ft
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 Kennebunk, 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
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Ellsworth is a small city in Maine on the Union River. It is the county seat of Hancock County, with a population of about 6500 people.
It was settled in 1763 and became a large lumber port and ship building center during the 19th century. Today it's the increasingly prosperous shopping center for Hancock County and the gateway for many tourists visiting Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island and the Bar Harbor region.
Ellsworth has many historic buildings, beautiful spots and points of interest. Maine Coast Memorial Hospital is there. From May until September Ellsworth is busy with lots of visitors from all over the United States and Canada.
Top landmarks
•Ellsworth Public Library — library in Ellsworth, Maine
•Woodlawn Museum — archive organization in Ellsworth, United States
Kennebunk is a town in southern Maine. Kennebunk is home to several beaches, the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, the 1799 Kennebunk Inn, many historic shipbuilders' homes, the Brick Store Museum and the Nature Conservancy Kennebunk Plains (known locally as the Blueberry Plains), with 1,500 acres (6 km²) of nature trails and blueberry fields.
Top landmarks
•Kennebunk Historic District — historic district in Kennebunk, Maine
•Lower Alewive Historic District — historic district in Kennebunk, Maine, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 164.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m 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 $1.40 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 3 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 Kennebunk, 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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 90.9 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3.4 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 Kennebunk, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
