Ming Lee Chinese Restaurant
Near the end, short detour
Waterville, Maine
Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm
+12078732828
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
97 mi
156 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Biddeford, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Benton, ME
PhotoShoot Studio | Candid, Birthday Pre Wedding, Baby, Maternity & Child Photographer in Pune Ps Studio
This 97-mile drive from Biddeford, ME to Benton, ME is designed for efficiency, taking approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes. With 93% of the journey on highways, it's a straightforward trip that's easily manageable as a day trip. Expect a fuel cost of around $16 for this northeast to northeast leg within Maine. The overall feel is one of focused travel, prioritizing getting you to your destination with minimal fuss. Given its short duration, you'll have plenty of flexibility to depart when it suits you best.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.5 miles from Biddeford, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 52.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| Maine Turnpike | 38 mi | 41m |
| Neck Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Western Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Bridge Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Newhall Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 39 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,557 veh/hr typical · worst 3,064
Quietest
2 AM
~87 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
29.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Biddeford, ME and Benton, ME.
Start on US 1 Alternate
Turn left onto ME 112
Continue on ME 5; ME 112
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn right onto ME 139
Turn right onto Newhall Street
At end of road, turn left onto Lawrence Avenue
Continue on ME 11; ME 100; ME 139
Continue on ME 11; ME 100; ME 139
Turn left onto ME 11; ME 100; ME 139
Turn right onto ME 139
Arrive at destination
For this relatively short 97-mile journey, you have the advantage of flexibility with your departure time. The drive is estimated to take under two hours, meaning you won't need to split it. With a fuel cost of roughly $16, it's an economical trip to plan for. Consider starting your drive in the late morning to avoid potential early commuter traffic. Because the majority of the route is on highways, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be further apart on the interstate compared to local roads. Planning a brief stop around the halfway point, perhaps after the longest 52.5-mile stretch on I-295, can help break up the drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.5 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benton, ME than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Biddeford, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Biddeford, ME
This is one driving day of about 97 miles and 1h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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.
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 48.5 miles from Biddeford, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · home stretch
Waterville, Maine
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm
+12078732828
Thai With Us
Augusta, Maine
Villager Family Restaurant
Waterville, Maine
Best coffee break · early in the drive
Freeport, Maine
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+12078695113
Nom Cafe
Portland, Maine
Artemisia Cafe
Portland, Maine
Near the end, short detour
Waterville, Maine
Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm
+12078732828
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Augusta, Maine
Hours: 11 am–3 pm
+12074801121
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Waterville, Maine
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+12078726231
Early in the drive, short detour
Freeport, Maine
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+12078695113
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Portland, Maine
Hours: 9 am–2 pm
+12076139332
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Portland, Maine
Hours: 11 AM–1:30 PM
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
South Portland, Maine
Hours: 1–7 pm
+12072746007
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
South Portland, Maine
Hours: 4–8 pm
+12078087696
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
South Portland, Maine
Hours: 11 am–5 pm
+12077678227
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Yarmouth, Maine
Hours: 9 am–3 pm
Later in the drive, short detour
Augusta, Maine
+12076262385
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Portland, Maine
+12072531800
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Portland, Maine
Hours: 12–8:15 pm
+12076193775
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Portland, Maine
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12072337485
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 97 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward I 95 North: Portland
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward Downtown Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward ME 139: Fairfield, Benton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
At end of road, turn left onto Lawrence Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Turn right onto ME 139 / Sebasticook Bridge Road
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$17.15 one way
$34.29 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.92 | $18.78 | $37.56 |
| premium | $5.29 | $20.20 | $40.40 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $20.43 | $40.86 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.29
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
$17
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.19 | $4.66 |
| Efficient EV | 24.3 | 0 | $8.49 | $3.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.58 | $6.21 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Biddeford on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in Benton on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Cloudy
51°F
Yarmouth, ME
49 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Primarily a highway-focused drive, this route spends 93% of its time on major roadways like I-295 and the Maine Turnpike. You'll experience long stretches of smooth, high-speed travel, with the longest uninterrupted segment covering 52.5 miles on I-295. While the focus is on the interstate, you will encounter some local road sections, including Neck Road, offering brief changes in pace. The character remains largely that of a functional commute, designed for swift transit across the landscape.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
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 97 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.6 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
468 ft
Total Descent
432 ft
Highest Point
307 ft
~76.2 mi in
Elevation Range
281 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Biddeford, ME to Benton, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Portland along the way.
Portland
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Freeport
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Su-Th 07:00-18:00; Fr-Sa 07:00-19:00
Visit websiteCafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Gardiner, ME
Cuisine: coffee_shop;bakery
Visit websiteCafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-20:00
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Waterville, ME
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 05:00-22:00
Visit websiteCafe
Near the start, ~9 min detour
Portland, ME
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteFast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Freeport, ME
Cuisine: donut;coffee_shop
Hours: 05:00-19:00
Visit websiteRestaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Freeport, ME
Cuisine: thai
Visit websiteRestaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Cuisine: barbecue
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Topsham, ME
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: 08:00-20:00
Visit websiteRestaurant
Early in the drive, short detour
Freeport
Cuisine: sushi
Hours: Su-Mo,We-Th 11:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:...
Visit websiteRestaurant
Early in the drive, short detour
Freeport
Cuisine: seafood
Hours: Apr-Nov Su-Th 11:00-19:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-2...
Visit websiteAttraction
Near the end, right off the route
Waterville, ME
Attraction
Early in the drive, short detour
Attraction
Early in the drive, short detour
Attraction
Around the midpoint, short detour
Attraction
Early in the drive, short detour
Freeport, ME
Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Augusta, ME
Yes
Near the start, right off the route
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
ME
Visit websiteDistrict
Around the midpoint, short detour
Museum
Early in the drive, short detour
Museum
Near the end, short detour
Oakland, ME
Museum
Near the end, short detour
Oakland, ME
Motel
Early in the drive, right off the route
Freeport, ME
Guest_house
Later in the drive, short detour
Gardiner, ME
Caravan_site
Near the start, short detour
Old Orchard Beach
Visit websitePoints of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
Founded 1616
Biddeford is a city located in southern Maine. It was once a booming town full of textile mills, the service and manufacturing industries are the major city employers. Approximately 33% of the population speaks French, due to the influx of French-Canadian immigrants to the city's mills in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Top landmarks
Fairfield and nearby Benton are small towns in Maine which are suburbs of Waterville.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 97 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Biddeford, ME or browse trips ending in Benton, ME.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse ME road trips.