The drive from Lewiston, ME to Southwest Harbor, ME covers 133.1 miles and takes about 2h 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Route 3, Acadia Highway, US 202 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 17.6 miles on Route 3.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.43 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
66.5 miles from Lewiston, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 133.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Lewiston, ME to Southwest Harbor, ME covers 133.1 miles and takes about 2h 55m, 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 48 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Route 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 17.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ME 126 / Sabattus Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 133.1 miles you will encounter 19 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: near the start (ME 126 / Sabattus Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 30.4 miles (US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100 / Memorial Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 31.1 miles (US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100 / Bangor Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|ME 126 / Sabattus Street
Turn sharp left onto ME 126 / Sabattus Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
30.4 mi into trip|~37m in|US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100 / Memorial Drive
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100 / Memorial Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
31.1 mi into trip|~39m in|US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100 / Bangor Street
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100 / Bangor Street toward US 201 North, ME 100 North, US 202 East, ME 9 East: Waterville, Belfast
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 201 North, ME 100 North, US 202 East,...
5
31.7 mi into trip|~40m in|US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue
Turn right onto US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
112.2 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|ME 230 / Water Street
Turn right onto ME 230 / Water 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 Lewiston, ME to Southwest Harbor, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
Belfast
31.1 mi in|~39m|via US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Route 3
17.6 mi
21m
Acadia Highway
13.4 mi
15m
US 202
12.8 mi
14m
Main Street
11.3 mi
15m
North Belfast Avenue
9 mi
13m
Bucksport Road
8.5 mi
9m
West Main Street
7.2 mi
8m
Bar Harbor Road
6.7 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Route 3
— 17.6 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lewiston, ME and Southwest Harbor, ME.
1
Start on this road
70 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn sharp left onto ME 126
123 ft·5 sec·Sabattus Street
3
Turn right onto US 202
4.4 mi·5 min·Main Street
4
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
3.8 mi·4 min·Route 202
5
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.6 mi·42 sec·US Route 202
6
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
2.7 mi·3 min·Route 202
7
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.9 mi·1 min·US Route 202
8
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
13 mi·14 min·US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
2.5 mi·3 min·Western Avenue
10
Turn left
416 ft·8 sec
11
Turn straight onto Old Winthrop Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Old Winthrop Road
12
Turn right onto Meadow Road
0.3 mi·42 sec·Meadow Road
13
Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
0.3 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
14
Turn right onto Armory Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·Armory Street
15
Continue on Capitol Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Capitol Street
16
Turn left onto US 201; ME 27
0.2 mi·18 sec·State Street
17
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
29 ft·0 sec·Memorial Drive
18
Continue on US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi·1 min·Memorial Drive
19
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100
220 ft·4 sec·Bangor Street
Toward US 201 North, ME 100 North, US 202 East, ME 9 East: Waterville, Belfast
20
Continue on US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100
0.6 mi·54 sec·Bangor Street
Toward US 201 North, ME 100 North, US 202 East, ME 9 East: Waterville, Belfast
21
Turn right onto US 202; ME 9
1.0 mi·1 min·North Belfast Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi·11 min·North Belfast Avenue
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi·16 sec·Belfast Road
24
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
18 mi·21 min·Route 3
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Acadia Highway
26
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi·3 min·Belfast Augusta Road West
27
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi·5 min·Augusta Road
28
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Belmont Avenue
29
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi·43 sec·ME 3
30
Merge onto US 1; ME 3
0.7 mi·1 min·Route 1
31
Continue on US 1; ME 3
2.7 mi·4 min·Searsport Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on US 1; ME 3
7.0 mi·8 min·West Main Street
33
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3
6.3 mi·7 min·East Main Street
34
Continue on US 1; ME 3
1.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 1
35
Continue on US 1; ME 3
508 ft·12 sec·Route 1
36
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
1.0 mi·1 min·Route 1
37
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
9.4 mi·10 min·Acadia Highway
38
Continue on US 1; ME 3
8.5 mi·9 min·Bucksport Road
39
Continue on US 1; ME 3
0.2 mi·17 sec·West Main Street
40
Turn right onto ME 230
0.8 mi·1 min·Water Street
Use the right lane.
41
Continue on ME 230
1.0 mi·1 min·Bayside Road
42
Turn left onto Beechland Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Beechland Road
43
Turn right onto ME 3
0.7 mi·1 min·High Street
44
Continue on ME 3
6.7 mi·11 min·Bar Harbor Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Turn slight right onto ME 102
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 102
46
Continue on ME 102; ME 198
7.0 mi·10 min·Main Street
47
Turn left onto Clark Point Road
236 ft·6 sec·Clark Point Road
48
Arrive at destination
Clark Point Road
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.5 miles from Lewiston, ME, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.6 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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.5 miles or 1h 24m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southwest Harbor, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, ME
This is one driving day of about 133.1 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Lewiston, 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 Route 3 for about 17.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.5 mi from Lewiston, ME
· 1h 24m into the drive
The midpoint is around 66.5 miles from Lewiston, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Southwest Harbor, ME
The final approach into Southwest 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 Southwest Harbor, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$6
near mile 123.9
Park Closure: Cadillac Summit Road Closed for Construction
Park Closure: Park Loop Road to Kebo Street 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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 36.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.43 one way
$42.85 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$23.58
$47.15
premium
$4.86
$25.49
$50.98
diesel
$5.61
$29.39
$58.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.9
0
$13.98
$6.39
Efficient EV
33.3
0
$11.65
$5.32
EV Truck/SUV
53.2
0
$18.63
$8.52
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Lewiston, ME
Late night
in Lewiston on Saturday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
N 0 to 10 mph44% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Southwest Harbor, ME
Late night
in Southwest Harbor on Saturday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 mph10% chanceLive forecast
34°F
Brooks, ME
67 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
9 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 55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lewiston, ME to Southwest Harbor, ME covers 133.1 miles and takes about 2h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Route 3, Acadia Highway, US 202. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.5 miles from Lewiston, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.43 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.
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 133.1 miles you will encounter 19 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: near the start (ME 126 / Sabattus Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 30.4 miles (US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100 / Memorial Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 31.1 miles (US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100 / Bangor Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lewiston, ME to Southwest Harbor, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Acadia National Park and Frances Perkins National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
