Origin
Brunswick, ME
Evening in Brunswick on Wednesday
Local time
7:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brunswick, ME to Bar Harbor, ME
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
138 mi
222 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 50m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brunswick, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Bar Harbor, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Brunswick, ME to Bar Harbor, ME covers 138 miles and takes about 3h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 295, Route 3, Acadia Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 21.1 miles on I 295. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.22 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
69 miles from Brunswick, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Brunswick, ME to Bar Harbor, ME covers 138 miles and takes about 3h 1m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 41 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 295 is the longest continuous segment at about 21.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 early in the drive near ME 24 Business / Maine Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 138 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 (ME 24 Business / Maine Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
ME 24 Business / Maine Street
Turn left onto ME 24 Business / Maine Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
2.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Augusta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Augusta
6
33.5 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 113
Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
5
33.6 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
138 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
|
ME 3 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto ME 3 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Brunswick, ME to Bar Harbor, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
Belfast
33.5 mi in
|
~41m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 21.1 mi | 23m |
| Route 3 | 17.6 mi | 21m |
| Acadia Highway | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| Maine Turnpike | 9.8 mi | 10m |
| Bucksport Road | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| North Belfast Avenue | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| West Main Street | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| Bar Harbor Road | 6.7 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 21.1 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brunswick, ME and Bar Harbor, ME.
1
Start on Pleasant Street
160 ft
·
12 sec
·
Pleasant Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn left onto ME 24 Business
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Maine Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 201; ME 24 Business
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
4
Turn left onto ME 196
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Route 196
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on ME 196
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lewiston Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 295 North: Augusta
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 295
21 mi
·
23 min
·
I 295
8
Merge onto I 95
9.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Maine Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 113
Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
11
Merge onto ME 3
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Augusta Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
North Belfast Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Belfast Road
14
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Route 3
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Acadia Highway
16
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Belfast Augusta Road West
17
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Augusta Road
18
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Belmont Avenue
19
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
ME 3
20
Merge onto US 1; ME 3
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Route 1
21
Continue on US 1; ME 3
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Searsport Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 1; ME 3
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
West Main Street
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Main Street
24
Continue on US 1; ME 3
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 1
25
Continue on US 1; ME 3
508 ft
·
12 sec
·
Route 1
26
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Route 1
27
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Acadia Highway
28
Continue on US 1; ME 3
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Bucksport Road
29
Continue on US 1; ME 3
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
West Main Street
30
Turn right onto ME 230
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Water Street
Use the right lane.
31
Continue on ME 230
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bayside Road
32
Turn left onto Beechland Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Beechland Road
33
Turn right onto ME 3
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
34
Continue on ME 3
6.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Bar Harbor Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Turn slight right onto ME 102
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 102
36
Continue on ME 102; ME 198
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
37
Turn left onto ME 3; ME 198
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Sound Drive
38
Turn left onto ME 233
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Eagle Lake Road
39
Continue on Mount Desert Street
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Mount Desert Street
40
At end of road, turn right onto ME 3
25 ft
·
0 sec
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
41
Arrive at destination
ME 3
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 69 miles from Brunswick, ME, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.1 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 30 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69 miles or 1h 27m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bar Harbor, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brunswick, 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 Brunswick, ME
This is one driving day of about 138 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Brunswick, 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 21.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69 mi from Brunswick, ME · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69 miles from Brunswick, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bar Harbor, ME
The final approach into Bar Harbor, 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 Bar Harbor, 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
$22.22 one way
$44.43 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $24.44 | $48.89 |
| premium | $4.86 | $26.43 | $52.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.47 | $60.94 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Maine Turnpike
(9.8 mi)
$0.59
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
$22
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.49 | $6.62 |
| Efficient EV | 34.5 | 0 | $12.08 | $5.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.32 | $8.83 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Bar Harbor, ME
Evening in Bar Harbor on Wednesday
Local time
7:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Belfast, ME
69 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
8 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 1m 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 Brunswick, ME to Bar Harbor, ME covers 138 miles and takes about 3h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 295, Route 3, Acadia Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69 miles from Brunswick, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.22 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 is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 138 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ME 24 Business / Maine Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Brunswick, ME to Bar Harbor, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
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