Biddeford to Lubec is 244.4 miles and takes about 5h 24m via I 295 and US 1, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maine, taking you from the Northeast region into another part of the Northeast. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll spend most of your time on highways before transitioning to surface roads as you approach your destination. This route is best suited for those who want a straightforward drive to reach coastal Maine.
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
122.2 miles from Biddeford, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
52.5 mi
1h 1m
US 1
30.6 mi
45m
Route 1
25.3 mi
36m
Maine Turnpike
18.6 mi
20m
Route 3
17.6 mi
21m
Acadia Highway
13.4 mi
15m
Main Street
9.6 mi
15m
County Road
9.3 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 52.5 mi, about 1h 1m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Lubec, 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
52 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 295
Exit 44Toward Downtown PortlandUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 95
9.8 mi·10 min·Maine Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·26 sec
Exit 113Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
10
Merge onto ME 3
2.5 mi·3 min·Augusta Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi·11 min·North Belfast Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi·16 sec·Belfast Road
13
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
18 mi·21 min·Route 3
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Acadia Highway
15
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi·3 min·Belfast Augusta Road West
16
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi·5 min·Augusta Road
17
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Belmont Avenue
18
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi·43 sec·ME 3
19
Merge onto US 1; ME 3
0.7 mi·1 min·Route 1
20
Continue on US 1; ME 3
2.7 mi·4 min·Searsport Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 1; ME 3
7.0 mi·8 min·West Main Street
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3
6.3 mi·7 min·East Main Street
23
Continue on US 1; ME 3
1.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 1
24
Continue on US 1; ME 3
508 ft·12 sec·Route 1
25
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
1.0 mi·1 min·Route 1
26
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
9.4 mi·10 min·Acadia Highway
27
Continue on US 1; ME 3
8.5 mi·9 min·Bucksport Road
28
Continue on US 1; ME 3
0.2 mi·17 sec·West Main Street
29
Turn right onto ME 230
0.7 mi·1 min·Water Street
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left onto Foster Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Foster Street
31
Turn right onto US 1; ME 3
0.3 mi·43 sec·High Street
32
Turn left onto US 1; ME 3
31 mi·45 min·US 1; ME 3
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
33
Turn right onto US 1A
0.3 mi·29 sec·Bridge Street
34
Continue on US 1A
4.1 mi·6 min·Kennedy Highway
35
Continue on US 1A
3.0 mi·4 min·US Highway 1A
36
Continue on US 1A
0.2 mi·18 sec·Kennedy Highway
37
Continue on US 1
0.5 mi·47 sec·Main Street
38
Continue on US 1
14 mi·20 min·Route 1
39
Continue on US 1
3.3 mi·4 min·Harrington Road
40
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi·21 sec·Outer Dublin Street
41
Continue on US 1
2.3 mi·3 min·Dublin Street
42
Continue on US 1
4.3 mi·6 min·Main Street
43
Turn slight left onto US 1
3.1 mi·4 min·Main Street
44
Continue on US 1
9.5 mi·13 min·Route 1
45
Turn right onto ME 189
0.6 mi·1 min·Lubec Road
46
Continue on ME 189
9.3 mi·13 min·County Road
47
Continue on ME 189
0.8 mi·2 min·Main Street
48
Turn right onto ME 189
0.4 mi·44 sec·Washington Street
49
Turn left onto Pleasant Street
0.1 mi·36 sec·Pleasant Street
50
Turn right onto School Street
12 ft·0 sec·School Street
51
Arrive at destination
School Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 24m duration, starting early from Biddeford is advisable to maximize daylight. The longest stretch without a major road change is 52.5 miles on I 295, so plan your first fuel or rest stop before or shortly after that segment. While the drive is manageable in one day, consider a mid-trip stop around the halfway point if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 295 to US 1, as this is where the driving experience will change significantly.
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 122.2 miles from Biddeford, ME, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.2 miles or 2h 29m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lubec, 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 244.4 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Biddeford, 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 I 295 for about 52.5 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.6 and 156.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
73.9 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 113
Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
5
74.1 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
74.2 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|ME 3 / Augusta Bypass
Merge onto ME 3 / Augusta Bypass
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
156.2 mi into trip|~3h 10m in|ME 230 / Water Street
Turn right onto ME 230 / Water Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.65 one way
$85.31 round trip
$4.43/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.93
$47.48
$94.95
premium
$5.30
$51.01
$102.01
diesel
$6.18
$59.45
$118.91
Estimated Tolls: $1.12
Maine Turnpike
(18.6 mi)$1.12
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
$43
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.3
0
$25.66
$11.73
Efficient EV
61.1
0
$21.39
$9.78
EV Truck/SUV
97.8
1
$34.22
$15.64
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Biddeford, ME
Night
in Biddeford on Monday
Local time
9:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lubec, ME
Night
in Lubec on Monday
Local time
9:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
54°F
Orland, ME
122 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.
Road read
5h 24m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
$6
near mile 168.6
Caution: Avoid Water Contact at Sand Beach Lagoon (Not for Sand Beach)
Park Closure: Several Trails Close For Peregrine Falcon Nesting Season
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 61% of this 244.4-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 52.5 miles on I 295. After that, you'll transition to US 1 and Route 1, which are primarily surface roads. Expect more frequent exits and potentially slower speeds as you move away from the interstate.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.5 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.6 miles in near I 295.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 244.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.6 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
322 ft25 ft
Total Climb
392 ft
Total Descent
426 ft
Highest Point
322 ft
~104.7 mi in
Elevation Range
297 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 Biddeford, ME to Lubec, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 244.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.5 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.12 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.
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 Lubec, ME before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 2 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: at 11.6 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Acadia National Park and Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lubec, ME before the return drive.
