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Summer Road Trips in Maine

Routes

30

Avg Distance

354 mi

Avg Drive

7h 1m

Destinations

21

Maine in the summer offers a diverse range of road trips, from short hops to multi-day adventures. With 30 routes averaging 351 miles and over 6 hours, you'll find plenty to explore. The drives feature gently rolling terrain, with maximum elevations reaching up to 1571 feet. Whether you're looking for a quick scenic drive or a longer expedition, Maine's summer routes provide a great way to experience the state's varied landscapes.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$4.39/gal

Diesel: $6.28/gal

Typical trip cost

$52–$187

One-way, ~354 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~124 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-10-19

Climate through the year: Maine

Maine peaks at around 80°F in Jul and cools to 32°F / 16°F in Jan. Wettest month is Oct at ~5.3 in of rain. Table highlights Summer months.

Month High °F Low °F Rain in Snow in
Jan 32 16 3.5 18.6
Feb 35 17 3.5 16.6
Mar 42 26 4.1 13.6
Apr 54 35 4.4 2.8
May 64 46 3.7 —
Jun peak 74 55 4.2 —
Jul peak 80 61 3.4 —
Aug peak 79 60 3.6 —
Sep 71 52 3.8 —
Oct 60 41 5.3 0.2
Nov 48 32 4.3 2.3
Dec 38 22 4.5 14.6

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for ME — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Planning Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

We've identified 30 routes in Maine that work well for summer travel, based on drive quality, typical weather conditions, and distance (averaging 354 miles).
Current regular gas averages $4.39/gallon in Maine (week of 2026-10-19). Diesel: $6.28/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $52 and $187. Source: US Energy Information Administration.
Across Jun, Jul, Aug, Maine typically sees daytime highs in the 74–80°F range with about 3.7 in of rain per month on average. Based on NOAA 1991–2020 monthly climate normals.
Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.
Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Summer Routes

Editor's pick

Dayton, ME → Chicago, IL

1084 mi 20h 38m Score: 8/10 ~$187 fuel

Through: Nashua New Hampshire → New York City

5 tricky spots High drive quality

This extensive 1084-mile route, rated a 8 for its drive score, is a significant undertaking lasting 20.6 hours. The drive is characterized by gently rolling terrain, reaching a maximum elevation of 1571 feet.

Editor's pick

Bangor, ME → Clinton, MD

672.1 mi 13h 38m Score: 7/10 ~$116 fuel

Through: Brunswick → Nashua New Hampshire → New York City +9 more

5 tricky spots

A 672-mile journey with a drive score of 7, this trip includes park access and traverses gently rolling terrain. It's a solid option for a longer excursion south, covering 13.6 hours.

Editor's pick

Sanford, ME → Frenchville, ME

358.9 mi 7h 27m Score: 9/10 ~$62 fuel

Through: Portland → Patten

5 tricky spots High drive quality

This 358-mile route boasts a high drive score of 9, indicating an exceptional driving experience. It offers access to parks and features gently rolling terrain across its 7.5-hour duration.

Van Buren, ME → Sanford, ME

355.9 mi 7h 3m Score: 9/10 ~$62 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Saco, ME → Madawaska, ME

350.7 mi 7h 18m Score: 9/10 ~$61 fuel

Through: Patten

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Biddeford, ME → Frenchville, ME

342.6 mi 7h 6m Score: 10/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Patten

5 tricky spots High drive quality

York Beach, ME → Presque Isle, ME

332.8 mi 6h 22m Score: 8/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Portland

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Fort Kent, ME → Saco, ME

329.6 mi 6h 44m Score: 10/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

West Scarborough, ME → Fort Kent, ME

323.3 mi 6h 38m Score: 10/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Patten

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Biddeford, ME → Limestone, ME

318.6 mi 6h 9m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Presque Isle, ME → Wells, ME

318.1 mi 6h 5m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Biddeford, ME → Caribou, ME

316.8 mi 6h 9m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Sanford, ME → Easton, ME

316.7 mi 6h 4m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Portland → Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Caribou, ME → Saco, ME

315.9 mi 6h 9m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Presque Isle, ME → Kennebunk, ME

312.7 mi 6h Score: 8/10 ~$54 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

West Scarborough, ME → Limestone, ME

311.1 mi 6h 3m Score: 8/10 ~$54 fuel

Through: Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Caribou, ME → Gorham, ME

308.5 mi 6h 2m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Biddeford, ME → Fort Fairfield, ME

308.3 mi 5h 54m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Madawaska, ME → Auburn, ME

308.3 mi 6h 32m Score: 9/10 ~$53 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Caribou, ME → Scarborough, ME

307.8 mi 6h Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

City of Portland, ME → Madawaska, ME

307.4 mi 6h 19m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

City of Portland, ME → Limestone, ME

305.7 mi 6h 14m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Caribou, ME → Westbrook, ME

304.4 mi 5h 55m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Caribou, ME → City of Portland, ME

304.2 mi 6h 14m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Portland, ME → Madawaska, ME

303.5 mi 5h 54m Score: 8/10 ~$52 fuel

Through: Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

South Portland, ME → Caribou, ME

303 mi 5h 52m Score: 8/10 ~$52 fuel

Through: Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Presque Isle, ME → Saco, ME

302.4 mi 5h 48m Score: 8/10 ~$52 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

South Portland, ME → Washburn, ME

302.2 mi 5h 54m Score: 8/10 ~$52 fuel

Through: Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lewiston, ME → Frenchville, ME

301.1 mi 6h 18m Score: 9/10 ~$52 fuel

Through: Waterville → Bangor → Patten

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Fort Fairfield, ME → West Scarborough, ME

300.9 mi 5h 48m Score: 8/10 ~$52 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Explore More

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