Auburn to Fort Kent is 292.3 miles and takes about 5h 57m via Maine Turnpike and Aroostook Road, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Northeast region of Maine all the way to the northernmost part of the state. With a mostly highway profile, you'll cover a significant distance with relative speed. If you're looking for a straightforward, single-day trip covering a good chunk of Maine's interior, this route is a solid choice.
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
146.1 miles from Auburn, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Maine Turnpike
182.7 mi
3h 12m
Aroostook Road
30.6 mi
45m
Aroostook Scenic Highway
30.2 mi
44m
Portage Road
15.3 mi
22m
Masardis Road
11.7 mi
17m
Station Road
5.2 mi
7m
North Road
4.4 mi
6m
South Patten Road
3.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 182.7 mi, about 3h 12m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,306 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,679
Quietest
1 AM
~48 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Fort Kent, 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
163 mi·2 hr 52 min·Maine Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 264Toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten
12
Keep slight left at fork
70 ft·2 sec
13
Turn left onto Main Street
0.4 mi·32 sec·Main Street
14
Continue on Station Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Station Road
15
Continue on Route 11
0.2 mi·15 sec·Route 11
16
Continue on ME 11
3.5 mi·5 min·Station Road
17
Continue on ME 11
3.2 mi·4 min·South Patten Road
18
Continue on ME 11
1.1 mi·2 min·Main Street
19
Continue on ME 11
4.4 mi·6 min·North Road
20
Continue on ME 11
30 mi·44 min·Aroostook Scenic Highway
21
Continue on ME 11
12 mi·17 min·Masardis Road
22
Continue on ME 11
0.4 mi·42 sec·Main Street
23
Turn left onto ME 11
0.8 mi·1 min·Station Street
24
At end of road, turn right onto ME 11
15 mi·22 min·Portage Road
25
Continue on ME 11
31 mi·45 min·Aroostook Road
26
Continue on ME 11
0.6 mi·1 min·Pleasant Street
27
Turn right onto Bridge Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Bridge Street
28
Turn left onto ME 161
1.3 mi·1 min·Market Street
29
Turn right onto US 1
301 ft·10 sec·East Main Street
30
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
88 ft·4 sec·Highland Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
Highland Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 57m drive, consider an early morning departure from Auburn to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. While this route is manageable in a single day, the single recommended stop suggests you might want to plan it around the halfway point or at a location that breaks up the 182.7-mile stretch on the Maine Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you move onto the Aroostook Road and Aroostook Scenic Highway, where service stations may be less frequent than on the Turnpike.
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 146.1 miles from Auburn, ME, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.7 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 64 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.1 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Kent, 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 292.3 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 182.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 186.6 — 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
186.3 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 264
Toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten
5
186.6 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.87 one way
$91.74 round trip
$3.99/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$51.51
$103.02
premium
$4.81
$55.38
$110.75
diesel
$4.80
$55.19
$110.38
Estimated Tolls: $10.96
Maine Turnpike
(182.7 mi)$10.96
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
$46
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.7
1
$30.69
$14.03
Efficient EV
73.1
0
$25.58
$11.69
EV Truck/SUV
116.9
1
$40.92
$18.71
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Auburn, ME
Night
in Auburn on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy
W 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 2:06AM EDT until July 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
Destination
Fort Kent, ME
Night
in Fort Kent on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
W 3 to 12 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 2:06AM EDT until July 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 57m 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.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
National Monument
Spread across a wild landscape offering spectacular views of Katahdin, Katahdin Woods and Waters invites discovery of its rivers, streams, woods, flora, fauna, geology, and the night skies that have a...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 191.5
Park Closure: Loop Road and North Entrance Seasonal Closures
Park Closure: Katahdin Overlook Construction Closure
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 20.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 63% of this 292.3-mile drive on highways, with the longest continuous stretch of 182.7 miles occurring on the Maine Turnpike. After leaving the Turnpike, you'll transition to roads like Aroostook Road and Aroostook Scenic Highway, indicating a shift to more rural cruising. Expect a noticeable change in scenery and potentially fewer services as you move away from the main turnpike.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.7 mi on Maine Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and Aroostook Road. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 202; ME 11; ME 100 / Court Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 292.3 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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
810 ft163 ft
Total Climb
761 ft
Total Descent
399 ft
Highest Point
810 ft
~208.8 mi in
Elevation Range
647 ft
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 Fort Kent, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Patten along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 292.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 182.7 miles on Maine Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.96 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 14 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Kent, ME before the return drive.
