Crawford Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Auburn, ME to Calais, ME
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 8m
Distance
202.3 mi
326 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 56m
★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 35m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 15m
3 PM
4h 19m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Calais, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Auburn to Calais is 202.3 miles and takes about 4h 8m via Maine Turnpike and Route 1, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maine, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. With a high percentage of highway driving, expect a fairly direct path. This is a straightforward, single-day trip that gets you from one side of Maine to the other without much fuss.
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
101.2 miles from Auburn, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Turnpike | 101.2 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 395 | 90.1 mi | 2h 3m |
| Route 1 | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| Baring Street | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Lisbon Street | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| North Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Canal Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Court Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 101.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,253 veh/hr typical · worst 1,762
Quietest
1 AM
~57 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, ME and Calais, ME.
1
Start on US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100
40 ft
·
4 sec
·
Minot Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Court Street
3
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Main Street
4
Turn sharp right onto ME 196
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Canal Street
5
Merge onto ME 196
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lisbon Street
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
7
Turn straight onto Alfred A Plourde Parkway
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Alfred A Plourde Parkway
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
9
Merge onto I 95
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Maine Turnpike
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
82 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
Maine Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 182A
Toward I 395 South, ME 15 South: Bangor, Brewer
12
Merge onto I 395; ME 15
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
·
I 395; ME 15
13
Continue on I 395; ME 9; ME 15
89 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
I 395; ME 9; ME 15
14
Continue on US 1; ME 9
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Houlton Road
15
Continue on US 1; ME 9
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Route 1
16
Continue on US 1; ME 9
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Baring Street
17
Enter roundabout onto US 1; ME 9
67 ft
·
0 sec
·
Baring Street
18
Continue on US 1; ME 9
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Baring Street
19
Continue on US 1; ME 9
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Street
20
Turn right onto Lincoln Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Lincoln Street
21
Turn left onto Germain Street
448 ft
·
19 sec
·
Germain Street
22
Arrive at destination
Germain Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize your daylight. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan it strategically along the Maine Turnpike. Given the relatively short duration and the $33 fuel estimate, you won't need to worry much about mid-trip refueling. The longest stretch is over 100 miles on the Maine Turnpike, so make sure you're comfortable before you start that segment.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 101.2 miles from Auburn, ME, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.2 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 45 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.2 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Calais, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Auburn, 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 Auburn, ME
This is one driving day of about 202.3 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Auburn, 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 101.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.2 miles from Auburn, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Maine Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
West Gardiner Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 202.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 202; ME 11; ME 100 / Court Street
Turn right onto US 202; ME 11; ME 100 / Court Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
ME 196 / Canal Street
Turn sharp right onto ME 196 / Canal Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
22.8 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
104.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 395 South, ME 15 South: Bangor, Brewer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 182A
Toward I 395 South, ME 15 South: Bangor, Brewer
5
202.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
|
Germain Street
Turn left onto Germain Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.31 one way
$70.61 round trip
$4.43/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.93 | $39.30 | $78.59 |
| premium | $5.30 | $42.22 | $84.44 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $49.21 | $98.43 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.07
Maine Turnpike
(101.2 mi)
$6.07
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
$35
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.24 | $9.71 |
| Efficient EV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.70 | $8.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.9 | 1 | $28.32 | $12.95 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Origin
Auburn, ME
Morning in Auburn on Monday
Local time
9:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Calais, ME
Morning in Calais on Monday
Local time
9:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Sunny
SW 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 8m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Frances Perkins National Monument
National Monument
Known as the first woman to hold a presidential cabinet position and the “Woman behind the New Deal,” Frances Perkins championed many labor rights that Americans enjoy today, including safety standard...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 20.9
Park Closure: For Current Visitor Information
Acadia National Park
National Park
Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
$6
near mile 139.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 96% of this 202.3-mile drive, which means plenty of efficient cruising. The Maine Turnpike will be your primary highway for the first 101.2 miles. After that, you'll transition to I 395 and then Route 1, where the road might feel a bit more open with fewer immediate exits. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.2 mi on Maine Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and I 395. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 202; ME 11; ME 100 / Court Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 8m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 202; ME 11; ME 100 / Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (ME 196 / Canal Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 22.8 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
484 ft
96 ft
Total Climb
938 ft
Total Descent
1,034 ft
Highest Point
484 ft
~173.4 mi in
Elevation Range
388 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Auburn, ME to Calais, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brewer along the way.
Brewer
104.9 mi in
|
~1h 55m
About the Cities
Starting in Auburn, ME
Full guide →Lewiston-Auburn is a city in Androscoggin County, in the central Maine region of Maine. The Androscoggin River divides the city into two separate municipalities: the east bank is Lewiston, with a population of about 39,000 (2016), and the west bank is Auburn, with about 23,000 people (2016). They are known locally as the "Twin Cities" or "L–A".
Top landmarks
- • Auburn Public Library — library in Auburn, Maine
- • Androscoggin County Courthouse and Jail — Historic building in Auburn, Maine
Arriving in Calais, ME
Full guide →Founded 1779
Calais (pronounced "Cal' lus") is a coastal town located in the Down East region of Maine at the Canadian border across from the town of St. Stephen, one of Maine's busiest border crossings. Calais and St. Stephen have a close relationship, celebrated with a multiple-day International Festival each year. A parade crosses Ferry Point Bridge, with the mayors of both communities shaking hands across the border.
Top landmarks
- • Calais Observatory
- • Gilmore House — listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in Washington County,...
- • Calais Historic District — historic district in Maine, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 202.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.2 miles on Maine Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.07 in tolls one way, starting with Maine Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 8 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through ME can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 202; ME 11; ME 100 / Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (ME 196 / Canal Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 22.8 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument and Acadia National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Calais, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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