Lewiston to Mars Hill is 247.7 miles and takes about 4h 38m via I 95, US 202, and Route 1, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Maine, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a straightforward, primarily highway trip, making it a solid choice for a single-day excursion. You'll find it's a practical way to cover ground efficiently, especially if you're looking for a no-fuss transit between these two points within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
123.9 miles from Lewiston, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
191.7 mi
3h 19m
US 202
12.8 mi
14m
Route 1
9.1 mi
14m
Main Road
6.7 mi
10m
Route 202
6.6 mi
7m
North Road
5.8 mi
8m
Main Street
4.9 mi
6m
North Street
3.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 191.7 mi, about 3h 19m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,306 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,679
Quietest
1 AM
~48 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.2×
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 Lewiston, ME and Mars Hill, ME.
1
Start on this road
70 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn sharp left onto ME 126
123 ft·5 sec·Sabattus Street
3
Turn right onto US 202
4.4 mi·5 min·Main Street
4
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
3.8 mi·4 min·Route 202
5
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.6 mi·42 sec·US Route 202
6
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
2.7 mi·3 min·Route 202
7
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.9 mi·1 min·US Route 202
8
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
13 mi·14 min·US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
2.5 mi·3 min·Western Avenue
10
Turn left
416 ft·8 sec
11
Turn straight onto Old Winthrop Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Old Winthrop Road
12
Turn right onto Macomber Avenue
0.2 mi·54 sec·Macomber Avenue
13
Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
475 ft·8 sec·Western Avenue
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I-95 North: Waterville, Bangor
16
Merge onto I 95
192 mi·3 hr 19 min·I 95
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 302Toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
18
Turn left onto US 1
3.2 mi·5 min·North Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 1
5.8 mi·8 min·North Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Continue on US 1
0.7 mi·54 sec·US Highway 1
21
Continue on US 1
6.4 mi·10 min·Route 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Continue on US 1
6.7 mi·10 min·Main Road
23
Continue on US 1
2.7 mi·4 min·Route 1
24
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·40 sec·Military Road
25
Continue on US 1
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
26
Turn right onto Mill Street
221 ft·12 sec·Mill Street
27
Arrive at destination
Mill Street
Trip Plan
For this one-day trip of 247.7 miles, leaving in the morning is ideal to make the most of daylight. The drive is about 4 hours and 38 minutes, so with one stop, you can comfortably reach Mars Hill without feeling rushed. The estimated fuel cost is around $39, so be sure to factor that into your budget. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 191.7-mile stretch on I 95, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. Given the manageable duration, you have flexibility in timing your departure and stops.
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 123.9 miles from Lewiston, ME, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191.7 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 54 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.9 miles or 2h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mars Hill, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, ME
This is one driving day of about 247.7 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Lewiston, 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 191.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 221 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|ME 126 / Sabattus Street
Turn sharp left onto ME 126 / Sabattus Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
28.5 mi into trip|~33m in|Macomber Avenue
Turn right onto Macomber Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
28.8 mi into trip|~34m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
6
29.1 mi into trip|~35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-95 North: Waterville, Bangor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-95 North: Waterville, Bangor
6
221 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 302
Toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.87 one way
$77.74 round trip
$3.99/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$43.65
$87.30
premium
$4.81
$46.93
$93.85
diesel
$4.80
$46.77
$93.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.3
0
$26.01
$11.89
Efficient EV
61.9
0
$21.67
$9.91
EV Truck/SUV
99.1
1
$34.68
$15.85
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Lewiston, ME
Night
in Lewiston on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 0 to 15 mph64% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:42AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Gray ME
Destination
Mars Hill, ME
Night
in Mars Hill on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy then Light Rain
S 2 to 13 mph79% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:42AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Gray ME
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
6 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
4h 38m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
National Monument
Spread across a wild landscape offering spectacular views of Katahdin, Katahdin Woods and Waters invites discovery of its rivers, streams, woods, flora, fauna, geology, and the night skies that have a...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 187.9
Park Closure: Loop Road and North Entrance Seasonal Closures
Park Closure: Katahdin Overlook Construction Closure
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 25.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 90% of the 247.7 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 191.7 miles on I 95, which means sustained cruising. The transition to surface roads will happen later in the drive, likely marking a change in pace. Expect a lot of highway exits and merges as you navigate this path.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 191.7 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and US 202. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ME 126 / Sabattus Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 38m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ME 126 / Sabattus Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 28.5 miles (Macomber Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
536 ft140 ft
Total Climb
614 ft
Total Descent
409 ft
Highest Point
536 ft
~212.3 mi in
Elevation Range
396 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lewiston, ME and Mars Hill, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor and Presque Isle.
Lewiston-Auburn is a city in Androscoggin County, in the central Maine region of Maine. The Androscoggin River divides the city into two separate municipalities: the east bank is Lewiston, with a population of about 39,000 (2016), and the west bank is Auburn, with about 23,000 people (2016). They are known locally as the "Twin Cities" or "L–A".
Top landmarks
•Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul — cathedral
•Kora Temple — masonic temple in Lewiston, United States of America
•Lewiston City Hall — city hall building in Lewiston, Maine, United States
The longest stretch is about 191.7 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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: near the start (ME 126 / Sabattus Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 28.5 miles (Macomber Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Mars Hill, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
