Origin
Bangor, ME
Afternoon in Bangor on Thursday
Local time
4:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bangor, ME to Lake Arrowhead, ME
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 12m
Distance
152.8 mi
246 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bangor, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Arrowhead, ME
Ira Bowman
Trip Overview
The drive from Bangor, ME to Lake Arrowhead, ME covers 152.8 miles and takes about 3h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Maine Turnpike, Chadbourne Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.1 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.60 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
76.4 miles from Bangor, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 152.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 12m highway drive covering 152.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and Maine Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 80.1 miles on I 95.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 80.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Maine Turnpike. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 81.6 miles in near I 95 / Maine Turnpike.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 81.6 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.3 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
81.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m 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
4
84.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
117 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
|
I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
120.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m 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...
4
143.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
High Street
Keep slight right at fork onto High Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bangor, ME and Lake Arrowhead, ME, road signs point toward Portland and New Gloucester.
Portland
81.6 mi in
|
~1h 31m
|
via I 95
New Gloucester
120.8 mi in
|
~2h 13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 80.1 mi | 1h 27m |
| Maine Turnpike | 39.2 mi | 42m |
| Chadbourne Road | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Bonny Eagle Road | 6.1 mi | 10m |
| Tandberg Trail | 3.6 mi | 7m |
| West Gray Road | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| Plains Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Cape Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 80.1 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bangor, ME and Lake Arrowhead, ME.
1
Start on US 2; ME 100
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Hammond Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
3
Merge onto I 95; ME 15
80 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 95; ME 15
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Maine Turnpike
Toward I 95 South: Lewiston, Portland
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
33 mi
·
35 min
·
Maine Turnpike
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Maine Turnpike
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 63
Toward US 202, ME 115, ME 4: Grey, New Gloucester
8
Turn left onto US 202; ME 4
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
West Gray Road
9
Continue on ME 115
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Tandberg Trail
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on Chadbourne Road
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Chadbourne Road
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on ME 35
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Northeast Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on ME 35
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Bonny Eagle Road
13
Continue on Sokokis Trail
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Sokokis Trail
14
Continue on Bonny Eagle Road
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bonny Eagle Road
15
Keep slight right at fork onto High Street
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
High Street
16
Continue on Plains Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Plains Road
17
Turn right onto ME 117
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Cape Road
18
Turn left onto Doles Ridge Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Doles Ridge Road
19
Turn left onto New Dam Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
New Dam Road
20
Turn right onto Old Portland Road
0.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Portland Road
21
Turn right onto Crescent Drive
267 ft
·
13 sec
·
Crescent Drive
22
Turn right onto Pioneer Circle
210 ft
·
9 sec
·
Pioneer Circle
23
Arrive at destination
Pioneer Circle
Trip Plan
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 76.4 miles from Bangor, ME, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.1 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 34 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.4 miles or 1h 25m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Arrowhead, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bangor, 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 Bangor, ME
This is one driving day of about 152.8 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Bangor, 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 80.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.4 mi from Bangor, ME · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.4 miles from Bangor, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.1 miles.
Arriving in Lake Arrowhead, ME
The final approach into Lake Arrowhead, ME usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lake Arrowhead, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.60 one way
$49.20 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $27.06 | $54.13 |
| premium | $4.86 | $29.26 | $58.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.74 | $67.47 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.35
Maine Turnpike
(39.2 mi)
$2.35
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
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.8 | 0 | $16.04 | $7.33 |
| Efficient EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.37 | $6.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.39 | $9.78 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Lake Arrowhead, ME
Afternoon in Lake Arrowhead on Thursday
Local time
4:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
35°F
Gray, ME
76 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
6 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bangor, ME to Lake Arrowhead, ME covers 152.8 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Maine Turnpike, Chadbourne Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.4 miles from Bangor, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.60 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 81.6 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.3 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Bangor, ME and Lake Arrowhead, ME, road signs point toward Portland and New Gloucester.
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