The drive from Gorham, ME to Ellsworth, ME covers 148.8 miles and takes about 3h 5m 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 41.5 miles on I 295.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.95 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
74.4 miles from Gorham, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 148.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Gorham, ME to Ellsworth, ME covers 148.8 miles and takes about 3h 5m, 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 39 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 41.5 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 around 6.2 miles in near Larrabee Road.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 148.8 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: at 6.2 miles (Larrabee Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
6.2 mi into trip|~10m in|Larrabee Road
Turn left onto Larrabee Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
10.5 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward Falmouth, Freeport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 52
Toward Falmouth, Freeport
6
14.6 mi into trip|~21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Freeport, Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 295 North: Freeport, Brunswick
7
14.6 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 295 North: Freeport, Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 295 North: Freeport, Brunswick
6
66.2 mi into trip|~1h 21m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gorham, ME and Ellsworth, ME, road signs point toward Falmouth, Freeport, Brunswick and Belfast.
Falmouth
10.5 mi in|~16m
Freeport
10.5 mi in|~16m
Brunswick
14.6 mi in|~21m
Belfast
66.2 mi in|~1h 21m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
41.5 mi
46m
Route 3
17.6 mi
21m
Acadia Highway
13.4 mi
15m
Maine Turnpike
12.5 mi
14m
Bucksport Road
8.5 mi
9m
North Belfast Avenue
8.1 mi
11m
West Main Street
7.6 mi
9m
East Main Street
6.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 41.5 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gorham, ME and Ellsworth, ME.
1
Start on this road
124 ft·15 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 202; ME 4
491 ft·8 sec·State Street
3
Continue on US 202; ME 4
3.2 mi·5 min·Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Continue on Conant Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Conant Street
5
Continue on ME 25
1.4 mi·2 min·William B Clarke Drive
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on Westbrook Arterial
1.1 mi·2 min·Westbrook Arterial
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto Larrabee Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Larrabee Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
446 ft·10 sec
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
10
Merge onto I 95
2.7 mi·3 min·Maine Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Exit 52Toward Falmouth, Freeport
12
Continue on Falmouth Spur
2.4 mi·2 min·Falmouth Spur
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Falmouth Spur
1.3 mi·1 min·Falmouth Spur
14
Keep slight right at fork
352 ft·8 sec
Toward I 295 North: Freeport, Brunswick
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward I 295 North: Freeport, Brunswick
16
Merge onto I 295
41 mi·46 min·I 295
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 95
9.8 mi·10 min·Maine Turnpike
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·26 sec
Exit 113Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
20
Merge onto ME 3
2.5 mi·3 min·Augusta Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi·11 min·North Belfast Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi·16 sec·Belfast Road
23
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
18 mi·21 min·Route 3
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Acadia Highway
25
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi·3 min·Belfast Augusta Road West
26
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi·5 min·Augusta Road
27
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Belmont Avenue
28
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi·43 sec·ME 3
29
Merge onto US 1; ME 3
0.7 mi·1 min·Route 1
30
Continue on US 1; ME 3
2.7 mi·4 min·Searsport Avenue
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on US 1; ME 3
7.0 mi·8 min·West Main Street
32
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3
6.3 mi·7 min·East Main Street
33
Continue on US 1; ME 3
1.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 1
34
Continue on US 1; ME 3
508 ft·12 sec·Route 1
35
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
1.0 mi·1 min·Route 1
36
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
9.4 mi·10 min·Acadia Highway
37
Continue on US 1; ME 3
8.5 mi·9 min·Bucksport Road
38
Continue on US 1; ME 3
0.5 mi·45 sec·West Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
39
Arrive at destination
Main Street
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 74.4 miles from Gorham, ME, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.5 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 33 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.4 miles or 1h 33m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ellsworth, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gorham, 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 Gorham, ME
This is one driving day of about 148.8 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Gorham, 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 41.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.4 mi from Gorham, ME
· 1h 33m into the drive
The midpoint is around 81.5 miles from Gorham, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ellsworth, ME
The final approach into Ellsworth, 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 Ellsworth, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Acadia National Park
National Park
Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
$6
near mile 148.8
Park Closure: Cadillac Summit Road Closed for Construction
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 46.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.95 one way
$47.91 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$26.36
$52.71
premium
$4.86
$28.49
$56.99
diesel
$5.61
$32.85
$65.71
Estimated Tolls: $0.75
Maine Turnpike
(12.5 mi)$0.75
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
$24
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.6
0
$15.62
$7.14
Efficient EV
37.2
0
$13.02
$5.95
EV Truck/SUV
59.5
0
$20.83
$9.52
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Gorham, ME
Late night
in Gorham on Friday
Local time
4:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ellsworth, ME
Late night
in Ellsworth on Friday
Local time
4:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Augusta, ME
74 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
14 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 5m 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 Gorham, ME to Ellsworth, ME covers 148.8 miles and takes about 3h 5m 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 74.4 miles from Gorham, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.95 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 17 significant decision points across 148.8 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: at 6.2 miles (Larrabee Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Gorham, ME and Ellsworth, ME, road signs point toward Falmouth, Freeport, Brunswick and Belfast.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
