Trip from Madison, ME to Bangor, ME

Drive Time

1h 24m

Distance

62.1 mi

100 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min
4 AM
1h 18m ★
6 AM
1h 25m
8 AM
1h 38m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 21m

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

Downtown Madison, ME, ME

Madison, ME

Nellen Navarro

Downtown Bangor, ME, ME

Bangor, ME

Beth Fitzpatrick

Trip Overview

Spanning 62.1 miles through the heart of Maine, this drive between Madison and Bangor is a straightforward journey typically taking about 1 hour and 24 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route works perfectly as a quick day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $10 for fuel, making this an affordable excursion within the Northeast. By utilizing a mix of local roads like Canaan Road and Main Street alongside I-95, you get a varied experience that transitions from smaller town thoroughfares to faster transit. It is a practical, efficient path for anyone looking to traverse this part of the state without the stress of an arduous, multi-day trek.

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

31 miles from Madison, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing local road navigation with a significant stretch on the interstate. Roughly 42 percent of your journey will be spent on highways, providing a nice contrast to the more deliberate pace of the local sections. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 26 miles on I-95, which allows you to settle into a steady rhythm after navigating the initial local roads. As you progress from the quieter streets of Madison toward Bangor, the drive shifts from local town driving to the higher speeds of the interstate. Expect a functional, no-nonsense road experience that keeps you moving toward your destination with steady efficiency.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 26 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ME 148 / Main Street.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 1h 24m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (ME 148 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles (US 201 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.5 miles (North Avenue): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

3
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | ME 148 / Main Street

Turn right onto ME 148 / Main Street

Navigation decision point

4
5.9 mi into trip | ~10m in | US 201 / South Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 201 / South Main Street

Navigation decision point

4
9.5 mi into trip | ~15m in | North Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto North Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
10.2 mi into trip | ~17m in | High Street

Turn left onto High Street

Navigation decision point

5
60.7 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in

Take the exit toward US 2, ME 100: Hammond Street, Airport

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

Toward US 2, ME 100: Hammond Street, Airport

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 26 mi 28m
Main Street 14.4 mi 20m
Canaan Road 11.1 mi 14m
White School House Road 3.4 mi 5m
South Main Street 2.5 mi 2m
Hammond Street 1.2 mi 3m
Madison Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
North Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 26 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Madison, ME and Bangor, ME.

1

Start on US 201A

56 ft · 3 sec · Madison Road
2

Turn right onto ME 148

2.5 mi · 4 min · Main Street
3

Continue on White School House Road

3.4 mi · 5 min · White School House Road
4

At end of road, turn right onto US 201

2.5 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
5

Continue on US 201

0.8 mi · 1 min · Madison Avenue
6

Turn left onto Jewett Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Jewett Street
7

At end of road, turn right onto North Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Avenue
8

Turn left onto High Street

0.1 mi · 16 sec · High Street
9

Merge onto US 2

0.6 mi · 1 min · Water Street
10

Continue on US 2

6.4 mi · 9 min · Canaan Road
11

Continue on US 2

4.1 mi · 4 min · Main Street
12

Continue on US 2

4.7 mi · 5 min · Canaan Road
13

Continue on US 2

7.8 mi · 11 min · Main Street
14

Turn right onto Banks Road

340 ft · 14 sec · Banks Road
15

Turn right onto ME 11; ME 100

0.4 mi · 1 min · Ox Bow Road
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
17

Merge onto I 95

26 mi · 28 min · I 95
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward US 2, ME 100: Hammond Street, Airport
19

Turn right onto US 2; ME 100

1.2 mi · 3 min · Hammond Street
20

Arrive at destination

US 2; ME 100

Trip Plan

Since this is a short 1 hour and 24-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving during off-peak hours can make the transition between local roads and the interstate smoother. With no mandatory stops required by the route, you are free to dictate your own pace, though it is always wise to ensure your tank is topped off before hitting the 26-mile highway stretch. Pay close attention to the signage as you transition from Canaan Road onto I-95, as the change in speed limit happens quickly. Keeping a small reserve of cash or a card ready for fuel is recommended, as your estimated $10 cost may fluctuate based on vehicle efficiency. Use the lack of scheduled stops to your advantage by planning your own breaks whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs.

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 31 miles from Madison, ME, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26 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 62.1 miles or 1h 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 31 miles or 46m 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 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bangor, ME than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Madison, 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 Madison, ME

This is one driving day of about 62.1 miles and 1h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Madison, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 26 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 31 mi from Madison, ME · 46m into the drive

Downtown Brunswick, ME, ME

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brunswick, ME

31 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

Brunswick, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brunswick, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 31 miles from Madison, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Bangor, ME

The final approach into Bangor, 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 Bangor, 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

$9.94 one way

$19.88 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 22 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $10.90 $21.79
premium $4.83 $11.80 $23.61
diesel $5.64 $13.80 $27.59

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 21.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 18.6 0 $6.52 $2.98
Efficient EV 15.5 0 $5.43 $2.48
EV Truck/SUV 24.8 0 $8.69 $3.97

Gas CO2

22 kg

EV CO2

7 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Madison, ME

Night in Madison on Sunday

Local time

10:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bangor, ME

Night in Bangor on Sunday

Local time

10:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

43°F

Brunswick, ME

31 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

19 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 24m 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 Madison, ME to Bangor, ME covers 62.1 miles and takes about 1h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Main Street, Canaan Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31 miles from Madison, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.94 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 straightforward 1h 24m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ME 148 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles (US 201 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.5 miles (North Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Madison, ME to Bangor, ME does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Bangor, ME to Madison, ME

Plan the drive back the other way.

62 mi 1h 25m

Explore more options from Madison, ME or browse trips ending in Bangor, ME.

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