Ellsworth to Standish is 145.9 miles and takes about 3h 5m via Maine Turnpike, Belfast Augusta Road, and Route 1, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maine, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a mix of highway cruising and more local road travel. Given the relatively short duration, this is a straightforward, single-day trip.
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
72.9 miles from Ellsworth, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Maine Turnpike
45.1 mi
48m
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
Chadbourne Road
6.3 mi
9m
Augusta Road
4.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 45.1 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellsworth, ME and Standish, 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 left at fork onto I 95
2.7 mi·2 min·Maine Turnpike
Toward I 95 South: Lewiston, Portland
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
33 mi·35 min·Maine Turnpike
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
3.8 mi·4 min·Maine Turnpike
36
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 63Toward US 202, ME 115, ME 4: Grey, New Gloucester
37
Turn left onto US 202; ME 4
3.3 mi·6 min·West Gray Road
38
Continue on ME 115
3.6 mi·7 min·Tandberg Trail
Use the straight lane.
39
Continue on Chadbourne Road
6.3 mi·9 min·Chadbourne Road
Use the straight lane.
40
Continue on ME 35
2.2 mi·3 min·Northeast Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Turn right onto ME 25
287 ft·6 sec·Ossipee Trail East
42
Turn right onto Oak Hill Road
12 ft·0 sec·Oak Hill Road
43
Arrive at destination
Oak Hill Road
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 3 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Consider leaving in the morning to give yourself plenty of flexibility. There's only one recommended stop, so you can decide on the fly whether to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before departing, as the $26 budget suggests a moderate cost for the 145.9 miles. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface roads, as this often involves changes in speed and traffic density.
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 72.9 miles from Ellsworth, ME, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.1 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 32 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.9 miles or 1h 29m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Standish, 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 145.9 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 Maine Turnpike for about 45.1 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.4 and 130.1 — 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.
5
37.8 mi into trip|~47m in|ME 3
Keep slight right at fork onto ME 3
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
6
90.9 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Maine Turnpike toward I 95 South: Lewiston, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 South: Lewiston, Portland
6
130.1 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 202, ME 115, ME 4: Grey, New Gloucester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 63
Toward US 202, ME 115, ME 4: Grey, New Gloucest...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.79 one way
$51.58 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$28.25
$56.50
premium
$5.29
$30.38
$60.76
diesel
$5.35
$30.73
$61.46
Estimated Tolls: $2.71
Maine Turnpike
(45.1 mi)$2.71
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
$26
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.8
0
$15.32
$7.00
Efficient EV
36.5
0
$12.77
$5.84
EV Truck/SUV
58.4
0
$20.43
$9.34
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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
34°F
Areas Of Frost
N 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Standish, ME
Afternoon
in Standish on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Chance Rain Showers
NE 5 mph63% chanceLive forecast
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
10 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 5m 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 95.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 42% of this route is highway, with the longest continuous stretch on the Maine Turnpike covering 45.1 miles. You'll transition from highway to surface roads, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and traffic patterns. The mix means you'll experience both faster driving and more local cruising as you make your way.
42% 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: 45.1 mi on Maine Turnpike.
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 21 significant decision points across 145.9 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 37.8 miles (ME 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 84.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
429 ft-6 ft
Total Climb
1,152 ft
Total Descent
825 ft
Highest Point
429 ft
~145.9 mi in
Elevation Range
435 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 Standish, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor, Kittery, Portland and New Gloucester.
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
Standish is a town in Cumberland County in the Lakes and Mountains region of Maine. It is a recreational area and suburb of Portland. Standish includes the villages of Standish Corner, Sebago Lake Village, and Steep Falls, and the localities known as Richville, Standish Neck, and Two Trails.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 145.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.1 miles on Maine Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.71 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 Standish, 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 37.8 miles (ME 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 84.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Standish, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
