The pursuit is only alleged to have ended when the Maitland man, 20, crashed the Ford Fiesta he was driving into trees off a Karuah lane.

Port Stephens police were conducting breath tests on the highway at Heatherbrae about 10pm when the Fiesta was pulled over.

Police will allege that when they approached the vehicle, the driver sped away.

The pursuit continued north on the Pacific Highway and into Medowie before heading back towards the highway.

It will be alleged that during the pursuit, the car travelled at speeds of up to 140 kilometres an hour and inside roadworks.

As the car travelled along The Branch Lane at Karuah, the car left the roadway and hit trees.

The driver was arrested and later allegedly recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.160.

The man was charged with drive with high range prescribed concentration of alcohol, drive whilst

unlicenced and drive manner dangerous.

He has been granted conditional bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on June 9.