Origin
Richmond, ME
Morning in Richmond on Wednesday
Local time
7:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richmond, ME to Brightwater, ME
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
24.5 mi
39 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richmond, ME
Tnarg
Brightwater, ME
Vladislav Nahorny
Trip Overview
This 24.5-mile journey from Richmond to Brightwater, Maine, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 1 hour and 4 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate local roads, with Middle Road, River Road, and Meadowbrook Road forming the backbone of your route. With no highway driving, expect a relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost for this short hop is a modest $4, making it an economical option. This drive stays within the Northeast region, offering a taste of local Maine life without significant travel time.
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
12.3 miles from Richmond, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. The most substantial uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 9.8 miles along Middle Road. This means you'll be actively navigating, with frequent turns and changes in road character as you move through the area. The drive is characterized by its local feel, rather than long, high-speed segments, so be prepared for a more engaging driving experience.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Middle Road is the longest continuous segment at about 9.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 4m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (ME 128 / River Road): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles (Indian Road): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
ME 128 / River Road
Turn right onto ME 128 / River Road
Navigation decision point
4
4.4 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
Indian Road
Turn left onto Indian Road
Navigation decision point
4
15.4 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
15.7 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
Washington Street
Turn left onto Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / uturn lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Road | 9.8 mi | 21m |
| River Road | 2.8 mi | 6m |
| Meadowbrook Road | 2.2 mi | 8m |
| High Street | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| Campbells Pond Road | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| Washington Street | 1.1 mi | 3m |
| Front Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Brightwater Road | 0.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Middle Road
— 9.8 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, ME and Brightwater, ME.
1
Start on this road
283 ft
·
22 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
54 ft
·
5 sec
3
Turn right onto ME 24
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
4
Continue on ME 197
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Front Street
5
Continue on ME 197
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Ferry Road
6
Continue on ME 197
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Patterson Road
7
Turn right onto ME 128
2.8 mi
·
6 min
·
River Road
8
Turn left onto Indian Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Indian Road
9
Turn right onto ME 127
9.8 mi
·
21 min
·
Middle Road
10
Merge onto US 1; ME 127
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
11
Continue on US 1
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Leeman Highway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
13
Continue on Vine Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Vine Street
14
Turn left onto Washington Street
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Washington Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
15
Turn right onto Marshall Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Marshall Street
16
At end of road, turn left onto ME 209
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
High Street
17
Continue on High Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
18
Continue on Campbells Pond Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Campbells Pond Road
19
Continue on Campbells Pond Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Campbells Pond Road
20
Continue on Campbells Pond Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Campbells Pond Road
21
Continue on Meadowbrook Road
2.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Meadowbrook Road
22
Turn right onto Brightwater Road
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Brightwater Road
23
Turn straight onto The Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
The Boulevard
24
Arrive at destination
The Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the short 24.5-mile distance and 1-hour duration, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can leave anytime, but consider an early start to maximize your time at your destination. With no highway driving and a low fuel cost of $4, you won't need many fuel stops. The longest stretch without a turn is under 10 miles, so you can easily complete this drive in one go without needing to break it up. Pay attention to local road signage, as the route is defined by its many turns.
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 12.3 miles from Richmond, ME, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.8 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 24.5 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.3 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brightwater, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richmond, 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 Richmond, ME
This is one driving day of about 24.5 miles and 1h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Richmond, 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 Middle Road for about 9.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.3 mi from Richmond, ME · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 24.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 12.3 miles from Richmond, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Brightwater, ME
The final approach into Brightwater, 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 Brightwater, 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
$3.94 one way
$7.89 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $4.34 | $8.68 |
| premium | $4.86 | $4.69 | $9.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.41 | $10.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.4 | 0 | $2.57 | $1.18 |
| Efficient EV | 6.1 | 0 | $2.14 | $0.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.43 | $1.57 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
Brightwater, ME
Morning in Brightwater on Wednesday
Local time
7:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
25 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 4m 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 Richmond, ME to Brightwater, ME covers 24.5 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Middle Road, River Road, Meadowbrook Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.3 miles from Richmond, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.94 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 4m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (ME 128 / River Road): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles (Indian Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Richmond, ME to Brightwater, ME does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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