Presque Isle to Kennebunk is 312.7 miles and takes about 6h via I 95 and I 295, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Maine, traversing the Northeast region of the US. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day duration, it’s a straightforward drive. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points in Maine.
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
156.4 miles from Presque Isle, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
198.2 mi
3h 26m
I 295
53.2 mi
1h 2m
Maine Turnpike
17.4 mi
18m
Houlton Road
10.3 mi
14m
Route 1
9.1 mi
14m
Main Road
6.7 mi
10m
North Road
5.8 mi
8m
North Street
3.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 198.2 mi, about 3h 26m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 78 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,550 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,104
Quietest
2 AM
~86 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
29.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Presque Isle, ME and Kennebunk, ME.
1
Start on State Street
100 ft·5 sec·State Street
2
Turn right onto US 1
1.3 mi·3 min·Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Continue on US 1
10 mi·14 min·Houlton Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 1
2.0 mi·3 min·Presque Isle Road
5
Continue on US 1
0.7 mi·2 min·Benjamin Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 1
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
7
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·40 sec·Military Road
8
Continue on US 1
2.7 mi·4 min·Route 1
9
Continue on US 1
6.7 mi·10 min·Main Road
10
Continue on US 1
6.4 mi·10 min·Route 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Continue on US 1
0.7 mi·54 sec·US Highway 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on US 1
5.8 mi·8 min·North Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 1
3.1 mi·5 min·North Street
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
15
Merge onto I 95
198 mi·3 hr 26 min·I 95
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
2.6 mi·3 min·I 295
18
Merge onto I 95
17 mi·18 min·Maine Turnpike
19
Take the exit
228 ft·5 sec
Exit 25Toward ME 35: Kennebunk, KennebunkportUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 25Toward ME 35: Kennebunk, Kennebunkport
21
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·1 min·this road
22
At end of road, turn left onto ME 35
0.2 mi·30 sec·Alewive Road
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto ME 35
1.4 mi·2 min·Fletcher Street
24
Enter roundabout onto ME 35
89 ft·2 sec·Fletcher Street
25
Continue on ME 35
0.4 mi·51 sec·Fletcher Street
26
Turn right onto US 1; ME 9A
0.3 mi·53 sec·Main Street
27
Continue on US 1; ME 9A
0.1 mi·24 sec·York Street
28
Turn right onto Friend Street
128 ft·5 sec·Friend Street
29
Arrive at destination
Friend Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, leaving Presque Isle in the morning will allow you to reach Kennebunk well before evening. With a total distance of 312.7 miles, you can comfortably complete it in one day. The longest stretch without a major exit is 198.2 miles on I 95, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. The estimated fuel cost is around $42, so factor that into your budget. Given the efficiency of this route, you have flexibility for spontaneous stops if needed.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 156.4 miles from Presque Isle, ME, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.2 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 69 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.4 miles or 3h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 52m
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 Presque Isle, 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 Presque Isle, ME
This is one driving day of about 312.7 miles and 6h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Presque Isle, 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 198.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 310.2 — 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|US 1 / Main Street
Turn right onto US 1 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
239.1 mi into trip|~4h 32m 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
309.6 mi into trip|~5h 53m 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
309.7 mi into trip|~5h 53m 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
310.2 mi into trip|~5h 55m 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
$54.57 one way
$109.15 round trip
$4.43/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.93
$60.74
$121.49
premium
$5.30
$65.26
$130.52
diesel
$6.18
$76.07
$152.14
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.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.8
1
$32.83
$15.01
Efficient EV
78.2
0
$27.36
$12.51
EV Truck/SUV
125.1
1
$43.78
$20.01
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Presque Isle, ME
Morning
in Presque Isle on Saturday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Rain And Snow
SE 0 to 17 mph99% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kennebunk, ME
Morning
in Kennebunk on Saturday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live 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
12 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
6h on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 75.5
Caution: Increased Logging Traffic Along Swift Brook Road
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 248
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 89% of the 312.7 miles covered on interstates. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on I 95, spanning 198.2 miles. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the trip, with the urban merging and dense exits characteristic of approaching southern Maine likely occurring on I 295 and the Maine Turnpike.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.2 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 295. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 1 / Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 312.7 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: near the start (US 1 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 239.1 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309.6 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
506 ft72 ft
Total Climb
302 ft
Total Descent
683 ft
Highest Point
506 ft
~67 mi in
Elevation Range
433 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Presque Isle, ME to Kennebunk, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
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 6h. Total distance: 312.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 198.2 miles on I 95. 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 12 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 12 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: near the start (US 1 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 239.1 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kennebunk, ME before the return drive.
