Origin
Auburn, ME
Late night in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Auburn, ME to Gardiner, ME
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
33m
Distance
28.1 mi
45 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 31m
★
6 AM
0h 34m
8 AM
0h 40m
10 AM
0h 36m
12 PM
0h 35m
3 PM
0h 36m
5 PM
0h 39m
8 PM
0h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Gardiner, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick connection between Auburn and Gardiner, this 28.1-mile journey is an efficient way to traverse this part of the Northeast. You can easily complete the trip in about 33 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With a fuel budget of just $5, it remains an economical choice for commuters or travelers moving between these two Maine cities. Because the duration is so short, there is no need for an overnight stay, allowing you to focus your time on your destination. The route is straightforward and practical, serving as a reliable link within the region.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Turnpike | 21 mi | 22m |
| Lewiston Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Lisbon Street | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| Water Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Canal Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Cobbossee Avenue | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Court Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 21 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, ME and Gardiner, 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
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Maine Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 102
Toward ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Litchfield
12
Continue on this road
382 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
Exit 102
Toward ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Litchfield
13
Enter roundabout onto ME 9; ME 126
241 ft
·
4 sec
·
Lewiston Road
14
Continue on ME 9; ME 126
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lewiston Road
15
Continue on Cobbossee Avenue
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Cobbossee Avenue
16
Continue on Lewiston Road
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Lewiston Road
17
Continue on Central Street
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Central Street
18
Turn straight onto Water Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Water Street
19
Turn left onto Arcade Street
40 ft
·
1 sec
·
Arcade Street
20
Arrive at destination
Arcade Street
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 24.9 — 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
24.6 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Litchfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 102
Toward ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Litchfield
5
24.9 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
ME 9; ME 126 / Lewiston Road
Enter roundabout onto ME 9; ME 126 / Lewiston Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.52 one way
$9.05 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $4.98 | $9.95 |
| premium | $4.86 | $5.38 | $10.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.20 | $12.41 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.26
Maine Turnpike
(21 mi)
$1.26
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$1
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.95 | $1.35 |
| Efficient EV | 7 | 0 | $2.46 | $1.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.2 | 0 | $3.93 | $1.80 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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.
Destination
Gardiner, ME
Late night in Gardiner on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
15 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
33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 75% of your travel time will be spent on major roads like the Maine Turnpike. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 21 miles along the Turnpike. The journey transitions from the turnpike onto local arteries like Lewiston Road and Lisbon Street as you approach your final destination. This mix creates a fast-paced environment where you can cover ground efficiently before navigating the more localized infrastructure of the Gardiner area. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed for speed and directness rather than leisurely cruising.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21 mi on Maine Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and Lewiston Road. You will hit about 11 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 Effort
6/10
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 28.1 miles you will encounter 11 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.
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 Gardiner, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Litchfield along the way.
Litchfield
24.6 mi in
|
~28m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 33m. Total distance: 28.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21 miles on Maine Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.26 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Gardiner, ME before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gardiner, ME before heading back.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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