How far is Orono, ME from Wells, ME?

The driving distance from Orono, ME to Wells, ME is about 169 miles (271.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 143.5 miles (231 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
168.94 mi
03h 15m
Flight
143.53 mi
230.99 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Orono.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
143.53 mi
Kilometers
230.99 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
168.94 mi
Kilometers
271.89 km
Drive Time
03h 15m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 03h 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wells
Wed, Sep 16, 10:33 AM EDT
Return by in Orono
Wed, Sep 16, 1:49 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Orono
2026-09-16T07:18
Arrive Wells
Wed, Sep 16, 10:33 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:15 AM to 11:15 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:30 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Orono
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Hallowell
ME

City in Maine

From Orono
84.4 mi
01h 37m
To Wells
84.5 mi
01h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Sep 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph SW
Destination
Wells Weather
ME
Live fallback forecast
74°F
Wednesday
Using Kennebunk as the closest live forecast in the York County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Sep 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Orono and Wells.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Orono and Wells.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    50 m · 14 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    20 m · 8 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Pine Street

    70 m · 17 sec · Pine Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Main Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Kelley Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Kelley Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left

    1342 ft · 33 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    87.3 mi · 1 hr 36 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick

    50.5 mi · 59 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    2.6 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

    23.8 mi · 25 min · Maine Turnpike

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward ME 9, ME 109: Wells, Sanford

    2472 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Sanford Road

    1.6 mi · 4 min · Sanford Road

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Post Road

    29 m · 2 sec · Post Road

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Post Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Orono and Wells.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
14 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Kelley Road
88.6 mi · 52%
I 295 South
53.2 mi · 31%
Maine Turnpike
23.8 mi · 14%
Sanford Road
1.56 mi · 1%
Main Street
1.24 mi · 1%
ME 9
0.47 mi
Longest Stretch

Kelley Road

Merge slight left

87.3 mi · 01h 36m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 15m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.5 mi
143.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hallowell
01h 37m from Orono
Leave By
10:30 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Orono and Mostly Sunny near Wells.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Orono to Wells?

The road trip is about 169 miles (271.9 km) and usually takes 03h 15m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Hallowell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.4 miles from Orono and 84.5 miles from Wells.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 143.5 miles (231 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:30 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.75 one way or $51.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Orono and Mostly Sunny near Wells.

Stop Ideas Near Hallowell

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Hallowell, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hallowell.

BUS

Augusta, ME

8 mi away
9 Industrial Drive
BUS

Wiscasset, Maine

33 mi away
279 Bath Rd.
BUS

Damariscotta, Maine

35 mi away
167 Main St.
BUS

Waldoboro, Maine

38 mi away
US hwy 1 and hwy 32

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Orono and Wells. Straight-line distance: 143.53 mi (230.99 km).

Orono

#1 Orono

City in Hennepin County, Minnesota, US

Population10,636
Coordinates44.8831200, -68.6719800
Altitude38
CountryUnited States
Wells

#2 Wells

Town in York County, Maine, United States

Population10,819
Coordinates43.3220300, -70.5808900
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Start: Orono (-68.67198, 44.88312)
End: Wells (-70.58089, 43.32203)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 272 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.96 gal
22.57 L · about $25.75
Round trip
$51.51
11.92 gal · 45.14 L
Estimated CO2
53 kg one way
Round trip: 105.9 kg / 233 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.32 $25.75 $51.51
Mid-grade $4.86 $28.95 $57.91
Premium $5.32 $31.72 $63.44
Diesel $6.22 $37.09 $74.18

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Maine · Sep 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Orono and Wells. The current time is 07:18:26.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.