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Summer Road Trips in Maine

Routes

30

Avg Distance

283 mi

Avg Drive

5h 38m

Destinations

27

Maine in the summer offers a diverse range of driving experiences, from expansive cross-state routes to more focused, shorter trips. With 30 routes averaging 283 miles and about 5.5 hours, you can explore its varied terrain, which ranges from gently rolling hills to mostly flat expanses with maximum elevations reaching over 1,500 feet. This season provides ample daylight for exploration, and the state boasts excellent EV charger coverage on some of its longer highways.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$4.49/gal

Diesel: $5.35/gal

Typical trip cost

$30–$192

One-way, ~283 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~99 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-06-01

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 283 miles).
Current regular gas averages $4.49/gallon in Maine (week of 2026-06-01). Diesel: $5.35/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $30 and $192. 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 ~$192 fuel

Through: Nashua New Hampshire → New York City

5 tricky spots High drive quality

For those looking for a significant cross-country adventure, this long-haul drive covers 1,084 miles with a drive score of 8. It navigates gently rolling terrain, reaching a maximum elevation of 1,571 feet.

Editor's pick

Van Buren, ME → Sanford, ME

355.9 mi 7h 3m Score: 9/10 ~$63 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

A high-scoring drive at 9, this trip stays within Maine, offering a mostly highway experience over flat terrain. With parks accessible along the way, it's a solid choice for a state-focused summer excursion.

Editor's pick

Biddeford, ME → Frenchville, ME

342.6 mi 7h 6m Score: 10/10 ~$62 fuel

Through: Patten

5 tricky spots High drive quality

This route scores a perfect 10 for its extensive, mostly highway drive across Maine. With excellent EV coverage and 19 DC fast chargers, it's ideal for longer hauls, covering gently rolling terrain up to 986 feet.

York Beach, ME → Presque Isle, ME

332.8 mi 6h 22m Score: 8/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Portland

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Biddeford, ME → Caribou, ME

316.8 mi 6h 9m Score: 8/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Sanford, ME → Easton, ME

316.7 mi 6h 4m Score: 8/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Portland → Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Caribou, ME → Saco, ME

315.9 mi 6h 9m Score: 8/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

West Scarborough, ME → Limestone, ME

311.1 mi 6h 3m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Caribou, ME → Gorham, ME

308.5 mi 6h 2m Score: 8/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Madawaska, ME → Auburn, ME

308.3 mi 6h 32m Score: 9/10 ~$55 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Caribou, ME → Westbrook, ME

304.4 mi 5h 55m Score: 8/10 ~$54 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Sanford, ME → Ashland, ME

298.4 mi 5h 52m Score: 9/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Augusta → Portland → Patten

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Caribou, ME → Falmouth, ME

294.9 mi 5h 41m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

West Scarborough, ME → Easton, ME

293 mi 5h 36m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Presque Isle

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Biddeford, ME → Eastport, ME

268.1 mi 5h 36m Score: 8/10 ~$47 fuel

Through: Brewer

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Biddeford, ME → Houlton, ME

263.8 mi 4h 45m Score: 8/10 ~$47 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Biddeford, ME → Calais, ME

240.8 mi 4h 55m Score: 8/10 ~$43 fuel

Through: Brewer

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Sanford, ME → Jonesport, ME

229.4 mi 5h Score: 9/10 ~$41 fuel

Through: Augusta → Portland → Belfast

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Caribou, ME → Waterville, ME

227.2 mi 4h 28m Score: 9/10 ~$40 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Sanford, ME → Medway, ME

222.7 mi 4h 10m Score: 8/10 ~$39 fuel

Through: Augusta → Portland

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Sanford, ME → Addison, ME

216.8 mi 4h 40m Score: 9/10 ~$39 fuel

Through: Augusta → Portland → Belfast

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Biddeford, ME → Jonesport, ME

213.1 mi 4h 39m Score: 9/10 ~$38 fuel

Through: Portland → Belfast

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Van Buren, ME → Bangor, ME

195 mi 4h Score: 9/10 ~$34 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

West Scarborough, ME → Addison, ME

193.1 mi 4h 13m Score: 9/10 ~$35 fuel

Through: Belfast

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Biddeford, ME → Steuben, ME

182.7 mi 3h 51m Score: 9/10 ~$33 fuel

Through: Portland → Belfast

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bangor, ME → South Eliot, ME

179.5 mi 3h 26m Score: 8/10 ~$32 fuel

Through: Brunswick

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Biddeford, ME → Bar Harbor, ME

178.4 mi 3h 46m Score: 9/10 ~$32 fuel

Through: Portland → Belfast

5 tricky spots High drive quality

West Scarborough, ME → Howland, ME

170.8 mi 3h 13m Score: 8/10 ~$30 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

West Scarborough, ME → Gouldsboro, ME

170.6 mi 3h 37m Score: 9/10 ~$30 fuel

Through: Belfast

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Biddeford, ME → Sullivan, ME

168.8 mi 3h 30m Score: 9/10 ~$30 fuel

Through: Portland → Belfast

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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