Origin
Brunswick, ME
Evening in Brunswick on Wednesday
Local time
5:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brunswick, ME to Bucksport, ME
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
2h 4m
Distance
97.2 mi
156 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 4m
8 AM
2h 22m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 21m
8 PM
1h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brunswick, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Bucksport, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 97.2-mile drive from Brunswick to Bucksport, Maine, will take you about 2 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing I-295 and Route 3, this route offers a mixed driving experience that's easily manageable as a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, it's an economical journey through the Northeast region. The drive is straightforward, making it a practical option for those looking to travel between these two points without much fuss. You'll find the highway share is about 52%, indicating a good balance between faster travel and more local road sections.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
48.6 miles from Brunswick, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Drive Character
The character of this drive is a blend of interstate cruising and more local road navigation. With 52% of the journey on highways, you'll experience periods of faster travel, particularly during the longest stretch of 21.1 miles on I-295. However, the route also incorporates sections on Route 3, offering a different pace and feel. This mixed profile means you won't be stuck in a monotonous highway grind; instead, expect a dynamic driving experience that changes as you progress towards Bucksport. The Maine Turnpike is also a key component, suggesting some stretches of well-maintained, high-speed road.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 28 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 14 significant decision points across 97.2 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 14 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
5
33.8 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
ME 3 / Augusta Bypass
Merge onto ME 3 / Augusta Bypass
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
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 Bucksport, 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 |
| Maine Turnpike | 9.8 mi | 10m |
| North Belfast Avenue | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| West Main Street | 7 mi | 8m |
| East Main Street | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| Augusta Road | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Belmont Avenue | 4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 21.1 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brunswick, ME and Bucksport, 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
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Route 1
26
At end of road, turn left onto ME 15
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Main Street
27
Turn right onto Mechanic Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Mechanic Street
28
Arrive at destination
Mechanic Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just over 2 hours, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You can leave Brunswick at your leisure, perhaps after a morning coffee, and arrive in Bucksport with plenty of daylight remaining. While there are no specific stops noted, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading out, as the $16 estimated cost is based on the total mileage. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 21.1 miles on I-295, so plan for that section to be more about maintaining speed. Flexibility is your advantage on this drive; there's no need to rush or over-plan your stops.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.6 miles from Brunswick, ME, or about 1h 2m 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.6 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bucksport, 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 97.2 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Brunswick, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 48.6 mi from Brunswick, ME · 1h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.6 miles from Brunswick, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bucksport, ME
The final approach into Bucksport, 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 Bucksport, 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
$15.65 one way
$31.30 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $17.22 | $34.43 |
| premium | $4.86 | $18.61 | $37.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.46 | $42.92 |
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
$16
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.21 | $4.67 |
| Efficient EV | 24.3 | 0 | $8.50 | $3.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.9 | 0 | $13.61 | $6.22 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Bucksport, ME
Evening in Bucksport on Wednesday
Local time
5:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
35°F
Benton, ME
49 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
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
2h 4m 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 Bucksport, ME covers 97.2 miles and takes about 2h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 295, Route 3, Maine Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.6 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 $15.65 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 97.2 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 Bucksport, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
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