Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Lewiston, ME to Vinalhaven, ME

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 57m

Distance

88.3 mi

142 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 47m ★
6 AM
2h 58m
8 AM
3h 20m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 7m
5 PM
3h 19m
8 PM
2h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States

Lewiston, ME

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Vinalhaven, ME, ME

Vinalhaven, ME

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Lewiston, ME to Vinalhaven, ME covers 88.3 miles and takes about 2h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Maine Turnpike, Rockland/Vinalhaven Ferry, Rockland Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 21 miles on Maine Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.21 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

44.2 miles from Lewiston, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 88.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 57m drive with frequent turns across 88.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 47 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Maine Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 21 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 21 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 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 88.3 miles you will encounter 21 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 24.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.5 miles (ME 9; ME 126 / Lewiston Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 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

6
24.2 mi into trip | ~27m in

Take the exit toward ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Litchfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 102 Toward ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Litchfield
5
24.5 mi into trip | ~28m in | ME 9; ME 126 / Lewiston Road

Enter roundabout onto ME 9; ME 126 / Lewiston Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
34 mi into trip | ~44m in | ME 17 / Augusta Road

At end of road, turn right onto ME 17 / Augusta Road

Navigation decision point

5
70.5 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | US 1 / Main Street

Turn left onto US 1 / Main Street

Navigation decision point

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 Vinalhaven, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Litchfield along the way.

Litchfield

24.2 mi in | ~27m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Maine Turnpike 21 mi 22m
Rockland/Vinalhaven Ferry 17.1 mi 1h 15m
Rockland Road 8.4 mi 11m
Heald Highway 6.9 mi 9m
Rockland Street 6.2 mi 10m
Augusta Road 5 mi 7m
Augusta-Rockland Road 4.1 mi 6m
Togus Road 3.7 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Maine Turnpike — 21 mi, about 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lewiston, ME and Vinalhaven, ME.

1

Start on this road

70 ft · 10 sec · this road
2

Turn sharp left onto ME 126

123 ft · 4 sec · Sabattus Street
3

Turn left onto US 202

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Main Street
4

Turn left onto ME 196

0.8 mi · 1 min · Canal Street
5

Merge onto ME 196

1.5 mi · 1 min · Lisbon Street
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
7

Turn straight onto Alfred A Plourde Parkway

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Alfred A Plourde Parkway
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
9

Merge onto I 95

19 mi · 20 min · Maine Turnpike
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

1.8 mi · 1 min · Maine Turnpike
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 102 Toward ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Litchfield
12

Continue on this road

382 ft · 9 sec · this road
Exit 102 Toward ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Litchfield
13

Enter roundabout onto ME 9; ME 126

241 ft · 4 sec · Lewiston Road
14

Continue on ME 9; ME 126

1.4 mi · 2 min · Lewiston Road
15

Continue on Cobbossee Avenue

0.7 mi · 59 sec · Cobbossee Avenue
16

Continue on Lewiston Road

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Lewiston Road
17

Continue on Central Street

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Central Street
18

Turn straight onto Water Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · Water Street
19

Turn left onto US 201

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Bridge Street
20

At end of road, turn right onto ME 27; ME 126

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Water Street
21

Turn left onto ME 226

1.7 mi · 3 min · Windsor Street
22

Continue on ME 226

3.7 mi · 6 min · Togus Road
23

At end of road, turn right onto ME 17

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Augusta Road
24

Continue on ME 17

1.1 mi · 1 min · Eastern Avenue
25

Continue on ME 17

0.9 mi · 1 min · Augusta Road
26

Continue on ME 17

4.1 mi · 6 min · Augusta-Rockland Road
27

Continue on ME 17; ME 32

1.3 mi · 1 min · Rockland Road
28

Continue on ME 17; ME 32

4.9 mi · 6 min · Rockland Road
29

Continue on ME 17

3.5 mi · 4 min · Augusta Road
30

Continue on ME 17

2.2 mi · 3 min · Rockland Road
31

Continue on ME 17

6.9 mi · 9 min · Heald Highway
32

Continue on ME 17

1.9 mi · 3 min · Main Street
33

Continue on ME 17

6.2 mi · 10 min · Rockland Street
34

Continue on ME 17

1.4 mi · 2 min · Lakeview Drive
35

Continue on ME 17

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Maverick Street
36

Turn slight right onto North Main Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
37

Merge onto US 1

395 ft · 5 sec · US 1
38

Turn left onto US 1

0.1 mi · 12 sec · US 1
39

Turn left onto Talbot Avenue

491 ft · 28 sec · Talbot Avenue
40

Turn left onto US 1

175 ft · 6 sec · Main Street
41

Turn right onto Ferry Crossing Crossing Slip

385 ft · 16 sec · Ferry Crossing Crossing Slip
42

Continue on Ferry Crossing Crossing Slip

119 ft · 8 sec · Ferry Crossing Crossing Slip
43

Turn straight onto Rockland/Vinalhaven Ferry

17 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Rockland/Vinalhaven Ferry
44

Continue on West Main Street

275 ft · 20 sec · West Main Street
45

Turn right

248 ft · 18 sec
46

Continue on West Main Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
47

Arrive at destination

East Main Street

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 44.2 miles from Lewiston, ME, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21 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 19 miles or 22m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 44.2 miles or 1h 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

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vinalhaven, 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 88.3 miles and 2h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 Maine Turnpike for about 21 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 44.2 mi from Lewiston, ME · 1h into the drive

Downtown Chelsea, ME, ME

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chelsea, ME

44 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

Monmouth, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Whitefield, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.2 miles from Lewiston, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Vinalhaven, ME

The final approach into Vinalhaven, 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 Vinalhaven, 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.

Frances Perkins National Monument

Frances Perkins National Monument

National Monument

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 42.6
Park Closure: For Current Visitor Information
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.21 one way

$28.43 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $15.64 $31.28
premium $4.86 $16.91 $33.82
diesel $5.61 $19.50 $38.99

Estimated Tolls: $1.26

Maine Turnpike (21 mi) $1.26

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

$14

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.5 0 $9.27 $4.24
Efficient EV 22.1 0 $7.73 $3.53
EV Truck/SUV 35.3 0 $12.36 $5.65

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Lewiston, ME

Night in Lewiston on Thursday

Local time

9:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Vinalhaven, ME

Night in Vinalhaven on Thursday

Local time

9:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

26°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

Chelsea, ME

44 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

24 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 57m 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 Lewiston, ME to Vinalhaven, ME covers 88.3 miles and takes about 2h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Maine Turnpike, Rockland/Vinalhaven Ferry, Rockland Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.2 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 $14.21 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 88.3 miles you will encounter 21 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 24.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.5 miles (ME 9; ME 126 / Lewiston Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
On the drive from Lewiston, ME to Vinalhaven, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Litchfield along the way.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Vinalhaven, ME

City of Portland, ME 100.3 mi · 3h 33m

More from Lewiston, ME

Calais, ME 199.4 mi · 4h 7m Bar Harbor, ME 134.3 mi · 2h 57m Orono, ME 112.7 mi · 2h 10m Bangor, ME 104.2 mi · 1h 59m Guilford, ME 103.8 mi · 2h 9m Hermon, ME 97.3 mi · 1h 55m
Weekend drives from Lewiston, ME Scenic drives in ME

Explore more options from Lewiston, ME or browse trips ending in Vinalhaven, ME.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse ME road trips.

Explore maps for Lewiston, ME or Vinalhaven, ME on MapSof.net.