Trip from York Beach, ME to Presque Isle, ME

Drive Time

6h 22m

Distance

332.8 mi

536 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 10m ★
6 AM
6h 22m
8 AM
6h 47m
10 AM
6h 31m
12 PM
6h 29m
3 PM
6h 32m
5 PM
6h 46m
8 PM
6h 15m

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

Downtown York Beach, ME, ME

York Beach, ME

Sarah O'Shea

Trip Overview

Traveling from York Beach to Presque Isle is a significant cross-state journey covering 332.8 miles. You should budget approximately 6 hours and 22 minutes of driving time, making it a long trek that is best suited for a single, focused day of travel. With a fuel estimate of $53, it is a straightforward trip that relies heavily on major infrastructure like the Maine Turnpike and I-295. While you could technically complete this in one go, the length of the drive requires careful attention to your physical stamina. Because you are traversing the length of Maine, you will move from the coastal southern region into the more northern reaches of the state. It is a practical, efficient route for those needing to get from Point A to Point B without unnecessary detours.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

166.4 miles from York Beach, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of your time spent on high-speed roads that prioritize efficiency over local sightseeing. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the route features a substantial 234.7-mile stretch along the Maine Turnpike. Expect a fairly consistent experience behind the wheel, transitioning from the busier southern corridors toward the quieter, northern terrain of Houlton Road. The personality of this drive is utilitarian, designed to move you across the state with as few interruptions as possible. While the interstate grind provides a steady pace, the long stretches mean you will spend the vast majority of your time monitoring your speed and traffic flow.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Maine Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 234.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and I 295. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Railroad Avenue.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 332.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Railroad Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (Ridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 40.9 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

5
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Railroad Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto Railroad Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | Ridge Road

Turn right onto Ridge Road

Navigation decision point

8
40.9 mi into trip | ~48m 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
6
291.7 mi into trip | ~5h 16m in

Take the exit toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 302 Toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
6
332.7 mi into trip | ~6h 22m in | State Street

Turn left onto State Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from York Beach, ME to Presque Isle, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Portland along the way.

Portland

40.9 mi in | ~48m | via I 295

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Maine Turnpike 234.7 mi 4h 5m
I 295 52.5 mi 1h 1m
Houlton Road 10.3 mi 14m
Route 1 9.1 mi 14m
Main Road 6.7 mi 10m
North Road 5.8 mi 8m
North Street 3.2 mi 5m
US Route 1 2.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Maine Turnpike — 234.7 mi, about 4h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between York Beach, ME and Presque Isle, ME.

1

Start on US 1A

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Long Beach Avenue
2

Continue on US 1A

0.3 mi · 52 sec · Ocean Avenue
3

At end of road, turn left onto Railroad Avenue

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Railroad Avenue
4

Turn right onto Ridge Road

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Ridge Road
5

Turn right onto Short Sands Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · Short Sands Road
6

Turn left onto US 1

2.3 mi · 3 min · US Route 1
7

Turn right onto Spur Road

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Spur Road
Use the right lane.
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
9

Merge onto I 95

36 mi · 39 min · Maine Turnpike
10

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.
11

Merge onto I 95

198 mi · 3 hr 26 min · Maine Turnpike
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 302 Toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
13

Turn left onto US 1

3.2 mi · 5 min · North Street
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on US 1

5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
15

Continue on US 1

0.7 mi · 54 sec · US Highway 1
16

Continue on US 1

6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
17

Continue on US 1

6.7 mi · 10 min · Main Road
18

Continue on US 1

2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1
19

Continue on US 1

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Military Road
20

Continue on US 1

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
21

Turn left onto US 1

0.7 mi · 2 min · Benjamin Street
22

Continue on US 1

2.0 mi · 3 min · Presque Isle Road
23

Continue on US 1

10 mi · 14 min · Houlton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Continue on US 1

1.3 mi · 3 min · Main Street
Use the straight lane.
25

Turn left onto State Street

100 ft · 1 sec · State Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
26

Arrive at destination

State Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 332.8-mile journey, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the final leg of the trip. Since you are only scheduling one major stop, choose your location wisely to ensure you have a chance to stretch and refuel before the longest 234.7-mile segment on the Maine Turnpike. Keep in mind that as you head toward Presque Isle, services may become less frequent, so monitor your fuel gauge closely once you pass Houlton. If you find the 6-hour-and-22-minute duration daunting, do not hesitate to build in an extra break, as the highway-heavy nature of the route can become monotonous. Prioritize staying hydrated and alert, as the lack of varied terrain requires constant focus on the road ahead.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 166.4 miles from York Beach, ME, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 234.7 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 166.4 miles or 3h 5m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 56m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving York Beach, 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 York Beach, ME

This is one driving day of about 332.8 miles and 6h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from York Beach, 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 Maine Turnpike for about 234.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 166.4 mi from York Beach, ME · 3h 5m into the drive

Downtown Brunswick, ME, ME

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brunswick, ME

166 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

West Scarborough, 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 166.4 miles from York Beach, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Maine Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 234.7 miles.

Arriving in Presque Isle, ME

The final approach into Presque Isle, 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 Presque Isle, ME.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.27 one way

$106.55 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 116 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $58.40 $116.79
premium $4.83 $63.26 $126.52
diesel $5.64 $73.94 $147.87

Estimated Tolls: $14.08

Maine Turnpike (234.7 mi) $14.08

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

$53

Tolls

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$92–$117

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 116.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 99.8 1 $34.94 $15.97
Efficient EV 83.2 0 $29.12 $13.31
EV Truck/SUV 133.1 1 $46.59 $21.30

Gas CO2

116 kg

EV CO2

39 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 2 years ago

Origin

York Beach, ME

Night in York Beach on Sunday

Local time

10:51 PM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Presque Isle, ME

Night in Presque Isle on Sunday

Local time

10:51 PM

EDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

43°F

Brunswick, ME

166 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

3 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 22m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from York Beach, ME to Presque Isle, ME covers 332.8 miles and takes about 6h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Maine Turnpike, I 295, Houlton Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 166.4 miles from York Beach, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.27 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 332.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Railroad Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (Ridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 40.9 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from York Beach, ME to Presque Isle, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Portland along the way.

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