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Trip from Southwest Harbor, ME to Auburn, ME

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 55m

Distance

134 mi

216 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 45m ★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Southwest Harbor, ME, ME

Southwest Harbor, ME

Daniel Field

city in Maine, USA

Auburn, ME

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Southwest Harbor, ME to Auburn, ME covers 134 miles and takes about 2h 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Belfast Augusta Road, Route 1, Acadia Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 17.6 miles on Belfast Augusta Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.57 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

67 miles from Southwest Harbor, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Belfast Augusta Road 17.6 mi 21m
Route 1 15.2 mi 18m
Acadia Highway 13.4 mi 15m
US 202 12.8 mi 14m
Main Street 11.9 mi 16m
North Belfast Avenue 9.1 mi 13m
Bucksport Road 8.5 mi 9m
Bar Harbor Road 6.7 mi 11m
Longest stretch: Belfast Augusta Road — 17.6 mi, about 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Southwest Harbor, ME and Auburn, ME.

1

Start on Clark Point Road

236 ft · 8 sec · Clark Point Road
2

Turn right onto Main Street

7.0 mi · 10 min · Main Street
3

Continue on ME 102; ME 198

3.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 102
4

Continue on ME 102

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Triangle Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
5

At end of road, turn left onto ME 3

0.1 mi · 15 sec · State Highway 3
Use the left / right lanes.
6

Continue on ME 3

6.7 mi · 11 min · Bar Harbor Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Continue on ME 3

0.7 mi · 1 min · High Street
8

Turn left onto Beechland Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Beechland Road
Use the left lane.
9

At end of road, turn right onto ME 230

1.0 mi · 1 min · Bayside Road
10

Continue on ME 230

0.8 mi · 1 min · Water Street
11

Turn left onto US 1; ME 3

0.2 mi · 10 sec · West Main Street
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3

278 ft · 3 sec · Main Street
13

Continue on US 1; ME 3

8.5 mi · 9 min · Bucksport Road
14

Continue on US 1; ME 3

9.4 mi · 10 min · Acadia Highway
15

Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15

1.0 mi · 1 min · Route 1
16

Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15

135 ft · 9 sec · Main Street
Use the left lane.
17

Turn left onto US 1; ME 3

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Route 1
Use the left lane.
18

Continue on US 1; ME 3

1.2 mi · 2 min · US Highway 1
19

Continue on US 1; ME 3

13 mi · 15 min · Route 1
20

Continue on US 1; ME 3

2.7 mi · 4 min · Searsport Avenue
21

Continue on US 1; ME 3

0.7 mi · 1 min · Route 1
22

Take the exit onto ME 3

0.3 mi · 38 sec · ME 3
23

Keep slight right at fork onto ME 3

373 ft · 12 sec · ME 3
24

Merge onto ME 3

3.9 mi · 4 min · Belmont Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25

Continue on ME 3

4.8 mi · 5 min · Augusta Road
26

Continue on ME 3

3.4 mi · 3 min · Belfast Augusta Road East
27

Continue on ME 3

4.0 mi · 4 min · Acadia Highway
28

Continue on ME 3

18 mi · 21 min · Belfast Augusta Road
Use the straight lane.
29

Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Belfast Road
30

Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9

8.1 mi · 11 min · North Belfast Avenue
31

Turn left onto US 202; ME 9

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Belfast Avenue
Use the left lane.
32

At end of road, turn left onto US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Bangor Street
33

Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100

159 ft · 3 sec · Memorial Drive
34

Continue on US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100

0.7 mi · 1 min · Memorial Drive
35

Enter roundabout onto US 201; ME 27

401 ft · 7 sec · State Street
36

Continue on US 201; ME 27

0.2 mi · 19 sec · State Street
37

Turn right onto Capitol Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Capitol Street
38

Turn straight onto Armory Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Armory Street
39

Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100

3.7 mi · 4 min · Western Avenue
40

Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100

13 mi · 14 min · US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Use the straight lane.
41

Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100

0.9 mi · 1 min · US Route 202
42

Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100

2.7 mi · 3 min · Route 202
43

Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100

0.6 mi · 42 sec · US Route 202
44

Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100

3.8 mi · 4 min · Route 202
45

Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100

4.9 mi · 5 min · Main Street
46

Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Court Street
47

Turn left onto US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100

0.1 mi · 42 sec · Minot Avenue
48

Continue on US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100

456 ft · 5 sec · Minot Avenue
49

Arrive at destination

US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100

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 67 miles from Southwest Harbor, ME, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.6 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 29 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67 miles or 1h 31m 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 27m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Southwest Harbor, 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 Southwest Harbor, ME

This is one driving day of about 134 miles and 2h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Southwest Harbor, 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 Belfast Augusta Road for about 17.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Washington, ME, ME

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Washington, ME

67 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

Surry, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brooks, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67 miles from Southwest Harbor, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Laan-Xang Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Belfast, Maine

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 57.4

Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm

+12073386338

Visit website

Orchid Lewiston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lewiston, Maine

0.6 mi

Bell the Cat

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Belfast, Maine

1.1 mi

Laan-Xang Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 57.4

Belfast, Maine

Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm

+12073386338

Visit website

Orchid Lewiston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 134

Lewiston, Maine

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12077530389

Visit website

Bell the Cat

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 57.4

Belfast, Maine

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+12073382084

Visit website

Helen's Restaurant of Ellsworth

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 19.1

Ellsworth, Maine

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+12076672433

Visit website

Thai With Us

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 105.2

Augusta, Maine

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12074801121

Visit website

The Heritage Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134

Lewiston, Maine

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+12075137005

Provender Kitchen + Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $50 to $10 mile 19.1

Ellsworth, Maine

Hours: 4–8 pm

+12076101480

Visit website

Thatcher's Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134

Auburn, Maine

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+12077822135

Visit website

Belfast Armistice Bridge

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 57.4

Belfast, Maine

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15677089824

Oceanarium and Education Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 9.6

Bar Harbor, Maine

+12072885005

Visit website

Sea Princess Cruises

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Northeast Harbor, Maine

+12072765352

Visit website

FunZ Trampoline Park

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 134

Lewiston, Maine

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12077833888

Visit website

Old Fort Western

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 105.2

Augusta, Maine

+12076262385

Visit website

Downeast Scenic Railroad

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 19.1

Hancock, Maine

+18664497245

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 10.6 and 40.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
10.6 mi into trip | ~15m in | ME 3 / State Highway 3

At end of road, turn left onto ME 3 / State Highway 3

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes.
6
18.1 mi into trip | ~29m in | Beechland Road

Turn left onto Beechland Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
19.1 mi into trip | ~31m in | ME 230 / Bayside Road

At end of road, turn right onto ME 230 / Bayside Road

Navigation decision point

5
21.1 mi into trip | ~34m in | US 1; ME 3 / Main Street

Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3 / Main Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

7
40.1 mi into trip | ~56m in | US 1; ME 3 / Route 1

Turn left onto US 1; ME 3 / Route 1

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.57 one way

$43.14 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $23.73 $47.47
premium $4.86 $25.66 $51.32
diesel $5.61 $29.59 $59.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.2 0 $14.07 $6.43
Efficient EV 33.5 0 $11.73 $5.36
EV Truck/SUV 53.6 0 $18.76 $8.58

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (66% 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 Dec 18, 2023

Origin

Southwest Harbor, ME

Afternoon in Southwest Harbor on Saturday

Local time

2:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

28°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Auburn, ME

Afternoon in Auburn on Saturday

Local time

2:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

45°F

Washington, ME

67 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

22 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

2h 55m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park

National Park

Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $6 near mile 9.2
Park Closure: Carriage Roads open to pedestrians only
Park Closure: Cadillac Summit Road Closed for Construction
View on nps.gov
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...

24 mi from route ~59 min detour Free near mile 97
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

134 mi in 2h 55m — 31% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: Belfast Augusta Road.

31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
49 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17.6 mi on Belfast Augusta Road.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 10.6 miles in near ME 3 / State Highway 3.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 134 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 10.6 miles (ME 3 / State Highway 3): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles (Beechland Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.1 miles (ME 230 / Bayside Road): Navigation decision point.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 134 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 17.6 miles on Belfast Augusta Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Auburn, ME before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through ME can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.

The main spots that need attention: at 10.6 miles (ME 3 / State Highway 3): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles (Beechland Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.1 miles (ME 230 / Bayside Road): Navigation decision point.

Yes — Acadia National Park and Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Auburn, ME before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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