Drive Time
3h
Distance
186.2 mi
300 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
The drive from Wells, ME to Ellsworth, ME covers 186.2 miles and takes about 3h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Sanford Road, Maine Turnpike, Downtown Portland for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.29 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
93.1 miles from Wells, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Expect a 3h drive with frequent turns across 186.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sanford Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Maine Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Downtown Portland | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| ME 3 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Augusta Bypass | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Belfast Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Belfast Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Route 3 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Wells, ME and Ellsworth, ME.
Start on Post Road
Turn left onto Sanford Road
Take the ramp right
Keep slight left
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
Keep slight right to continue on Downtown Portland
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
Take the exit slight right toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
Keep slight right
Merge slight left onto Augusta Bypass
Continue on North Belfast Avenue
Continue on Belfast Road
Continue on Route 3
Continue on Acadia Highway
Continue on Belfast Augusta Road West
Continue on Augusta Road
Continue on Belmont Avenue
Take the exit left
Merge slight left onto Route 1
Continue on Searsport Avenue
Continue on West Main Street
Keep slight right to continue on East Main Street
Continue on US Highway 1
Continue on Route 1
Continue on Route 1
Continue on Acadia Highway
Continue on Bucksport Road
Continue on West Main Street
Arrive at your 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 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.1 miles or 1h 30m 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 Ellsworth, ME than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Wells, 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 Wells, ME
This is one driving day of about 186.2 miles and 3h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 93.1 mi from Wells, ME · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 93.1 miles from Wells, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Ellsworth, 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 Ellsworth, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.29 one way
$50.58 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $28.22 | $56.45 |
| premium | $4.15 | $30.42 | $60.84 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $27.49 | $54.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.9 | 0 | $19.55 | $8.94 |
| Efficient EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.29 | $7.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.5 | 0 | $26.07 | $11.92 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Wells on Saturday
Local time
9:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Ellsworth on Saturday
Local time
9:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
43°F
Brunswick, ME
93 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
