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Trip from Biddeford, ME to Friendship, ME

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 13m

Distance

88.9 mi

143 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 4m ★
6 AM
2h 13m
8 AM
2h 32m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 31m
8 PM
2h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in York County, Maine, United States

Biddeford, ME

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Friendship, ME, ME

Friendship, ME

RealToughCandy.com

Trip Overview

Biddeford to Friendship is 88.9 miles and takes about 2h 13m via I 295 and Route 1, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Maine, taking you from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a straightforward trip that's easy to complete in a single day. Given the relatively short distance and time, you'll have plenty of flexibility for when you want to start and how you want to pace yourself.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

44.4 miles from Biddeford, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 295 28.2 mi 34m
Route 1 19 mi 26m
Mill Street 9.2 mi 13m
Maine Turnpike 8.8 mi 9m
Friendship Road 7 mi 16m
Bath Road 4 mi 7m
Atlantic Highway 3 mi 4m
Main Street 2.4 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 295 — 28.2 mi, about 34m

Traffic on I-295

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 78 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~2,550 veh/hr typical · worst 3,104

Quietest

2 AM

~86 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

29.7×

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 Biddeford, ME and Friendship, ME.

1

Start on US 1 Alternate

0.9 mi · 1 min · Main Street
2

Turn left onto ME 112

162 ft · 5 sec · Beach Street
3

Continue on ME 5; ME 112

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Street
4

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 North: Portland
5

Merge onto I 95

8.8 mi · 9 min · Maine Turnpike
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295

28 mi · 34 min · I 295
Exit 44 Toward Downtown Portland Use the slight right lane.
7

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min
Exit 28 Toward US 1: Brunswick, Bath, Coastal Route Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on US 1

1.2 mi · 2 min · Pleasant Street
Use the left lane.
9

Turn left onto Mill Street

9.2 mi · 13 min · Mill Street
Use the left lane.
10

Continue on US 1

1.0 mi · 2 min · Main Street
11

Continue on US 1

4.9 mi · 6 min · Route 1
12

Continue on US 1

4.0 mi · 7 min · Bath Road
13

Continue on US 1; ME 27

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
14

Continue on US 1; ME 27

8.7 mi · 12 min · Route 1
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 1

5.4 mi · 7 min · Route 1
16

Continue on US 1

3.0 mi · 4 min · Atlantic Highway
17

Turn right onto Jefferson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Jefferson Street
18

Continue on ME 220

7.0 mi · 16 min · Friendship Road
19

Continue on ME 220

2.3 mi · 5 min · Waldoboro Road
20

At end of road, turn right onto Harbor Road

35 ft · 1 sec · Harbor Road
21

Arrive at destination

Harbor Road

Trip Plan

Given this is a single-day trip under three hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever works best for your schedule. An early departure from Biddeford will maximize your time in Friendship. While there are no designated stops in the data, you can easily find places to rest or refuel along Route 1 if needed. The estimated fuel cost is $16, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before you depart to comfortably complete the 88.9-mile journey, especially as you transition off the highway.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.4 miles from Biddeford, ME, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.2 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 20 miles or 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 44.4 miles or 56m 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 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Friendship, ME than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Biddeford, 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 Biddeford, ME

This is one driving day of about 88.9 miles and 2h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Biddeford, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 28.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brunswick, ME

44 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

Portland, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brunswick, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.4 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best coffee break · early in the drive

Freeport Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Freeport, Maine

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch · 47min in 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12078695113

Visit website

Nom Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Portland, Maine

2.2 mi

Artemisia Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Portland, Maine

2.2 mi

Freeport Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Freeport, Maine

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12078695113

Visit website

Nom Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Portland, Maine

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+12076139332

Visit website

Artemisia Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Portland, Maine

Hours: 11 AM–1:30 PM

Visit website

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.4 mi from route

Maine Escape Games

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

South Portland, Maine

Hours: 1–7 pm

+12072746007

Visit website

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

South Portland, Maine

Hours: 4–8 pm

+12078087696

Visit website

Monkey C Monkey Do

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Wiscasset, Maine

+12078826861

Visit website

Portland Observatory

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Portland, Maine

+12072531800

Visit website

Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Brunswick, Maine

Hours: Closed

+12077297216

Visit website

Maine Day Ventures/ formerly Maine Foodie Tours

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Portland, Maine

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12072337485

Visit website

The Escape Room

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Portland, Maine

Hours: 12–8:15 pm

+12076193775

Visit website

Maine Military Museum & Learning Center

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

South Portland, Maine

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+12077678227

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 70.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward I 95 North: Portland

Navigation decision point

Toward I 95 North: Portland
8
11.6 mi into trip | ~14m in | I 295

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward Downtown Portland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 44 Toward Downtown Portland
8
39.9 mi into trip | ~49m in

Take the exit toward US 1: Brunswick, Bath, Coastal Route

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 28 Toward US 1: Brunswick, Bath, Coastal Route
5
42.3 mi into trip | ~53m in | Mill Street

Turn left onto Mill Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
4
70.7 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in | US 1 / Route 1

Keep slight right at fork onto US 1 / Route 1

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.52 one way

$31.03 round trip

$4.43/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.93 $17.27 $34.54
premium $5.30 $18.55 $37.11
diesel $6.18 $21.63 $43.25

Estimated Tolls: $0.53

Maine Turnpike (8.8 mi) $0.53

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

$16

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.7 0 $9.33 $4.27
Efficient EV 22.2 0 $7.78 $3.56
EV Truck/SUV 35.6 0 $12.45 $5.69

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Oct 10, 2026

Origin

Biddeford, ME

Afternoon in Biddeford on Saturday

Local time

1:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

38°F

Clear

W 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued October 10 at 2:02AM EDT until October 11 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gray ME

Destination

Friendship, ME

Afternoon in Friendship on Saturday

Local time

1:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

39°F

Clear

NW 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued October 10 at 2:02AM EDT until October 11 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gray ME

36°F

Brunswick, ME

44 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 13m on the road

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Frances Perkins National Monument

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...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 67.4
Park Closure: For Current Visitor Information
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is mostly highway, with 63% of the drive on faster roads like I 295. You'll encounter your longest stretch without a major change in road type on I 295, covering 28.2 miles. The rest of the drive will transition to surface streets like Route 1 and Mill Street, offering a more local feel. Expect a good amount of merging and exiting as you navigate between the interstate and these main surface roads.

63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.2 mi on I 295.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Route 1. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 88.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 39.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

264 ft 13 ft

Total Climb

514 ft

Total Descent

453 ft

Highest Point

264 ft

~38.1 mi in

Elevation Range

251 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Biddeford, ME and Friendship, ME, road signs point toward Portland, Bath and Coastal Route.

Portland

11.6 mi in | ~14m | via I 295

Bath

39.9 mi in | ~49m

Coastal Route

39.9 mi in | ~49m

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Cuppa Jo's

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Yarmouth, ME

Visit website

Coffee By Design

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Portland, ME

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-19:00; Sa 07:00-19:00; Su 07...

Arabica

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: Mo-Su 07:30-17:00

Visit website

Coffee By Design (CBD)

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Portland, ME

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Visit website

Spartan Grill

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Portland, ME

Cuisine: greek

Bard Coffee

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-17:00; Sa-Su 08:00-17:00

River House

Restaurant

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: local

Hours: Tu-Sa 17:00-20:00

Visit website

Metcalf's Submarine Sandwiches

Fast_food

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Damariscotta, ME

Cuisine: sandwich

Hours: Mo-Sa 10:30-15:00

Visit website

Damariscotta River Grill

Restaurant

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: local

Hours: Mo-Su 15:00-22:00

Visit website

The Lobster Haul

Restaurant

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: local;sandwich;seafood

Visit website

Waltz Soda Fountain

Restaurant

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Damariscotta, ME

The Sunnyside

Restaurant

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hours: Fr-Mo 07:00-14:00

Damariscotta River Cruises

Attraction

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour
Visit website

Big Indian

Attraction

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Freeport, ME

Tops'l Farm

Camp_site

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ice House Park

Park

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Fishway Viewing Area

Attraction

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Jewell Falls

Viewpoint

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Friendship Museum

Museum

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

ME

Chapman-Hall House Museum

Museum

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Damariscotta, ME

Hours: Sa-Su 12:00-16:00

Visit website

Saint Andre School

Yes

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

York Institute Museum

Museum

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

ME

Visit website

Memorial Rock

Memorial

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Eartha

Monument

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Tops'l Farm

Camp_site

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront

Hotel

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Portland, ME

Visit website

The Freeport Hotel

Motel

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Freeport, ME

Wild Acres

Caravan_site

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Old Orchard Beach

Visit website

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in Biddeford, ME

Full guide →

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

  • • Biddeford City Hall — rathaus in Biddeford, United States of America
  • • Biddeford Main Street Historic District — historic district in Maine, United States
  • • St. Andre's Parish — historic church 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 2h 13m. Total distance: 88.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 13m 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 28.2 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.53 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 2 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: at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.6 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Friendship, 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, 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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