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Drive Time
3h 32m
Distance
165.6 mi
266 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Portland Gardens, ME
Brett Sayles
Bar Harbor, ME
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from South Portland Gardens, ME to Bar Harbor, ME covers 165.6 miles and takes about 3h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 295, Route 3, Acadia Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 49.9 miles on I 295. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.66 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
82.8 miles from South Portland Gardens, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
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The drive from South Portland Gardens, ME to Bar Harbor, ME covers 165.6 miles and takes about 3h 32m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
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 around 0.4 miles in near ME 9 / Western Avenue.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 165.6 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: at 0.4 miles (ME 9 / Western Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.4 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto ME 9 / Western Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Merge onto I 295
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
At end of road, turn right onto ME 3 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from South Portland Gardens, ME to Bar Harbor, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
Belfast
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 49.9 mi | 57m |
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between South Portland Gardens, ME and Bar Harbor, ME.
Start on Devereaux Circle
Turn right onto Westbrook Street
At end of road, turn left onto ME 9
Continue on ME 9
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 295
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto ME 3
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
Continue on ME 3
Continue on ME 3
Continue on ME 3
Continue on ME 3
Take the exit onto ME 3
Merge onto US 1; ME 3
Continue on US 1; ME 3
Continue on US 1; ME 3
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3
Continue on US 1; ME 3
Continue on US 1; ME 3
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
Continue on US 1; ME 3
Continue on US 1; ME 3
Turn right onto ME 230
Continue on ME 230
Turn left onto Beechland Road
Turn right onto ME 3
Continue on ME 3
Turn slight right onto ME 102
Continue on ME 102; ME 198
Turn left onto ME 3; ME 198
Turn left onto ME 233
Continue on Mount Desert Street
At end of road, turn right onto ME 3
Arrive at destination
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.
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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.8 miles or 1h 41m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bar Harbor, ME than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving South Portland Gardens, 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 South Portland Gardens, ME
This is one driving day of about 165.6 miles and 3h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.8 mi from South Portland Gardens, ME · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 82.8 miles from South Portland Gardens, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$26.66 one way
$53.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $29.33 | $58.66 |
| premium | $4.86 | $31.71 | $63.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.56 | $73.12 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$27
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: 57.9 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 | 49.7 | 0 | $17.39 | $7.95 |
| Efficient EV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.49 | $6.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.18 | $10.60 |
Gas CO2
58 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in South Portland Gardens on Wednesday
Local time
3:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Patchy Fog
Destination
Afternoon in Bar Harbor on Wednesday
Local time
3:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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