Trip from Wells, ME to Ellsworth, ME

Drive Time

3h 27m

Distance

171.4 mi

276 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 15m ★

6 AM

3h 28m

8 AM

3h 52m

10 AM

3h 36m

12 PM

3h 34m

3 PM

3h 37m

5 PM

3h 51m

8 PM

3h 20m

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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Wells, ME

Cliff Booth

Ellsworth, ME

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Trip Overview

Traveling from Wells to Ellsworth covers 171.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 27 minutes. You will primarily navigate via the Maine Turnpike, I-295, and Route 3, making this a straightforward journey that easily works as a single-day trip. Budgeting approximately $27 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way trek. Since this route remains entirely within the Northeast region, you can expect a familiar coastal Maine atmosphere throughout the drive. This is an efficient way to move between these two points without the need for an overnight split, allowing you to maximize your time once you arrive at your destination.

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

85.7 miles from Wells, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 63% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself cruising along the Maine Turnpike and I-295, which feature a longest uninterrupted stretch of 52.5 miles. While the initial segments prioritize speed and directness, the transition onto Route 3 shifts the driving experience as you head toward Ellsworth. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of the journey, balancing wide interstate lanes with the specific requirements of regional roads. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that keeps you moving steadily toward the coast.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 29 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 52.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 171.4 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 1.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 26.4 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

26.4 mi into trip | ~31m in | I 295

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward Downtown Portland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 44 Toward Downtown Portland

88.7 mi into trip | ~1h 43m 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

88.9 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

89 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | ME 3 / Augusta Bypass

Merge onto ME 3 / Augusta Bypass

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

Towns Along This Route

Between Wells, ME and Ellsworth, ME, road signs point toward Portland and Belfast.

Portland

26.4 mi in | ~31m | via I 295

Belfast

88.7 mi in | ~1h 43m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 295	52.5 mi	1h 1m
Maine Turnpike	34 mi	36m
Route 3	17.6 mi	21m
Acadia Highway	13.4 mi	15m
Bucksport Road	8.5 mi	9m
North Belfast Avenue	8.1 mi	11m
West Main Street	7.6 mi	9m
East Main Street	6.3 mi	7m

Longest stretch: I 295 — 52.5 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wells, ME and Ellsworth, ME.

Start on US 1

95 ft · 9 sec · Post Road

Turn left onto ME 109; ME 9

1.6 mi · 3 min · Sanford Road

Take the ramp

271 ft · 6 sec

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 95

24 mi · 25 min · Maine Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295

52 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 295

Exit 44 Toward Downtown Portland Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 95

9.8 mi · 10 min · Maine Turnpike

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 26 sec

Exit 113 Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Merge onto ME 3

2.5 mi · 3 min · Augusta Bypass

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9

8.1 mi · 11 min · North Belfast Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Belfast Road

Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9

18 mi · 21 min · Route 3

Use the straight lane.

Continue on ME 3

4.0 mi · 4 min · Acadia Highway

Continue on ME 3

3.4 mi · 3 min · Belfast Augusta Road West

Continue on ME 3

4.8 mi · 5 min · Augusta Road

Continue on ME 3

4.0 mi · 4 min · Belmont Avenue

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto ME 3

0.3 mi · 43 sec · ME 3

Merge onto US 1; ME 3

0.7 mi · 1 min · Route 1

Continue on US 1; ME 3

2.7 mi · 4 min · Searsport Avenue

Use the left / none lanes.

Continue on US 1; ME 3

7.0 mi · 8 min · West Main Street

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3

6.3 mi · 7 min · East Main Street

Continue on US 1; ME 3

1.2 mi · 2 min · US Highway 1

Continue on US 1; ME 3

508 ft · 12 sec · Route 1

Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15

1.0 mi · 1 min · Route 1

Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15

9.4 mi · 10 min · Acadia Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 1; ME 3

8.5 mi · 9 min · Bucksport Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 1; ME 3

0.5 mi · 45 sec · West Main Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Arrive at destination

Main Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 171.4-mile journey, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on the busier highway sections. You should plan for one scheduled stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which fits perfectly into the 3-hour and 27-minute timeframe. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $27 estimate assumes steady driving conditions. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you hit unexpected congestion on I-295. A helpful tip is to check the current traffic status on the Maine Turnpike before you leave Wells, as this will help you decide if you need to adjust your departure time to ensure a smoother ride.

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 85.7 miles from Wells, ME, or about 1h 40m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 85.7 miles or 1h 40m 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 50m

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

Before You Leave

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 171.4 miles and 3h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wells, 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 52.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 85.7 mi from Wells, ME · 1h 40m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brunswick, ME

86 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

Brunswick, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brunswick, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.7 miles from Wells, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Ellsworth, ME

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.44 one way

$54.87 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.46	$30.08	$60.15
premium	$4.83	$32.58	$65.16
diesel	$5.64	$38.08	$76.16

Estimated Tolls: $2.04

Maine Turnpike (34 mi) $2.04

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

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	51.4	$18.00	$8.23
Efficient EV	42.9	$15.00	$6.86
EV Truck/SUV	68.6	$24.00	$10.97

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Wells, ME

Evening in Wells on Sunday

Local time

8:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

Unavailable

Destination

Ellsworth, ME

Evening in Ellsworth on Sunday

Local time

8:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

43°F

Brunswick, ME

86 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.

Road read

3h 27m 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 Wells, ME to Ellsworth, ME covers 171.4 miles and takes about 3h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 295, Maine Turnpike, Route 3. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 85.7 miles from Wells, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.44 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.

Between Wells, ME and Ellsworth, ME, road signs point toward Portland and Belfast.

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Trip from Wells, ME to Ellsworth, ME

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Ellsworth, ME

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Wells, ME

Ellsworth, ME

Same local time

3h 27m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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