Origin
Portland, ME
Late night in Portland on Wednesday
Local time
12:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Portland, ME to Bar Harbor, ME
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 25m
Distance
161.7 mi
260 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 14m
★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 50m
10 AM
3h 34m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portland, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Bar Harbor, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Portland to Bar Harbor covers 161.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 25 minutes. Because the total duration is manageable, this trip works perfectly as a one-day excursion, though staying overnight allows for a more relaxed pace upon arrival. You can expect to spend roughly $26 on fuel for the journey. The route transitions you through the Northeast corridor, moving from the coastal hub of Portland toward the iconic landscapes surrounding Bar Harbor. It is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a weekend itinerary, providing a clear path between two of Maine's most notable destinations.
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
80.8 miles from Portland, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This 161.7-mile journey offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed interstate travel with more localized road conditions. You will spend about 50% of your time on highways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 46.3 miles on I-295. As you depart Portland, the drive begins with efficient interstate navigation before transitioning onto Route 3 and the Acadia Highway. This shift in road type means you should be prepared for changing speed limits and traffic patterns as you leave the highway system behind. Expect a balanced experience that moves from the fast-paced flow of I-295 into the more deliberate pace of regional state roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 40 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 46.3 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 Elm Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 161.7 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 (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Cumberland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 1A / Franklin Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Elm Street
Turn left onto Elm Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Cumberland Avenue
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 1A / Franklin Street
Turn left onto US 1A / Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
57.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
7
161.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
|
ME 3 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto ME 3 / Main 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 Portland, ME to Bar Harbor, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
Belfast
57.2 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 46.3 mi | 52m |
| Route 3 | 17.6 mi | 21m |
| Acadia Highway | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| Maine Turnpike | 9.8 mi | 10m |
| Bucksport Road | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| North Belfast Avenue | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| West Main Street | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| Bar Harbor Road | 6.7 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 46.3 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portland, ME and Bar Harbor, ME.
1
Start on Congress Street
131 ft
·
11 sec
·
Congress Street
2
Turn left onto Elm Street
519 ft
·
22 sec
·
Elm Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Cumberland Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto US 1A
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp onto US 1A
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 1A
6
Merge onto I 295; US 1
46 mi
·
52 min
·
I 295; US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 95
9.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Maine Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 113
Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
10
Merge onto ME 3
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Augusta Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
North Belfast Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Belfast Road
13
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Route 3
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Acadia Highway
15
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Belfast Augusta Road West
16
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Augusta Road
17
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Belmont Avenue
18
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
ME 3
19
Merge onto US 1; ME 3
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Route 1
20
Continue on US 1; ME 3
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Searsport Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 1; ME 3
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
West Main Street
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Main Street
23
Continue on US 1; ME 3
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 1
24
Continue on US 1; ME 3
508 ft
·
12 sec
·
Route 1
25
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Route 1
26
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Acadia Highway
27
Continue on US 1; ME 3
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Bucksport Road
28
Continue on US 1; ME 3
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
West Main Street
29
Turn right onto ME 230
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Water Street
Use the right lane.
30
Continue on ME 230
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bayside Road
31
Turn left onto Beechland Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Beechland Road
32
Turn right onto ME 3
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
33
Continue on ME 3
6.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Bar Harbor Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn slight right onto ME 102
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 102
35
Continue on ME 102; ME 198
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
36
Turn left onto ME 3; ME 198
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Sound Drive
37
Turn left onto ME 233
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Eagle Lake Road
38
Continue on Mount Desert Street
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Mount Desert Street
39
At end of road, turn right onto ME 3
25 ft
·
0 sec
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
40
Arrive at destination
ME 3
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak traffic. Budget for at least one stop along the way to break up the drive and manage your travel fatigue effectively. With only 161.7 miles to cover, you can easily reach Bar Harbor in a single push, but pacing yourself ensures you arrive refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $26 estimate is based on standard driving conditions; having a little extra buffer is always wise. A great way to approach this trip is to plan your single stop near the transition point from the interstate to the Acadia Highway to maximize your comfort before the final leg of the journey.
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 80.8 miles from Portland, ME, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.8 miles or 1h 37m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bar Harbor, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Portland, 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 Portland, ME
This is one driving day of about 161.7 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Portland, 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 46.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.8 mi from Portland, ME · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.8 miles from Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bar Harbor, ME
The final approach into Bar 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 Bar Harbor, 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
$26.03 one way
$52.06 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $28.64 | $57.28 |
| premium | $4.86 | $30.96 | $61.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.70 | $71.40 |
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
$26
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.98 | $7.76 |
| Efficient EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.15 | $6.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.7 | 0 | $22.64 | $10.35 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Bar Harbor, ME
Late night in Bar Harbor on Wednesday
Local time
12:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Brunswick, ME
81 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
17 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 25m 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 Portland, ME to Bar Harbor, ME covers 161.7 miles and takes about 3h 25m 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 80.8 miles from Portland, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.03 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 161.7 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 (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Cumberland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 1A / Franklin Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Portland, ME to Bar Harbor, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
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