Spanning 168.8 miles, this trek from Biddeford to Sullivan takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is straightforward, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Maine Turnpike, I-295, and Route 3, making for a very efficient journey through the Northeast. Expect to spend approximately $27 on fuel for the trip. Since the drive is manageable in one go, you have plenty of flexibility to plan a single stop along the way to stretch your legs. It is a practical, highway-focused route that connects two distinct parts of Maine.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.4 miles from Biddeford, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
52.5 mi
1h 1m
Maine Turnpike
18.6 mi
20m
Route 3
17.6 mi
21m
Acadia Highway
13.4 mi
15m
US 1
11.2 mi
17m
Bucksport Road
8.5 mi
9m
North Belfast Avenue
8.1 mi
11m
West Main Street
7.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 52.5 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Biddeford, ME and Sullivan, 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
11 mi·17 min·US 1; ME 3
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
33
Turn left onto ME 200
48 ft·1 sec·Bert Gray Road
34
Arrive at destination
ME 200
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3.5-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion on the busier stretches of the Maine Turnpike. Plan for one substantial stop to break up the drive, as this will help keep you alert during the transition between major highways. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the more populated areas, as prices can fluctuate as you head toward Sullivan. Since the route is relatively short, you have the advantage of scheduling your arrival time to suit your personal preferences. A concrete tip for this trip is to account for the transition from the fast-paced I-295 to the local flow of Route 3, as road conditions can change once you exit the interstate.
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 84.4 miles from Biddeford, ME, or about 1h 42m 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 37 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.4 miles or 1h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sullivan, 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 168.8 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 16
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
$27.17 one way
$54.35 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$29.90
$59.80
premium
$4.86
$32.32
$64.65
diesel
$5.61
$37.27
$74.54
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
$27
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.6
0
$17.72
$8.10
Efficient EV
42.2
0
$14.77
$6.75
EV Truck/SUV
67.5
0
$23.63
$10.80
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Biddeford, ME
Night
in Biddeford on Saturday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Sunny
W 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sullivan, ME
Night
in Sullivan on Saturday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Sunny
W 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
56°F
Fairfield, ME
84 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
3 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
3h 30m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by its highway-focused nature, with 61% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm during the longest uninterrupted stretch, which covers 52.5 miles on I-295. While the initial portion of the drive relies on the efficiency of the Maine Turnpike, the character of the road shifts as you transition onto Route 3. This mix ensures you spend the bulk of your time making steady progress toward Sullivan. Behind the wheel, you will experience a transition from the busier transit corridors of southern Maine to the more direct, highway-heavy paths leading toward your destination.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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 Maine Turnpike. 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 16 significant decision points across 168.8 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
334 ft25 ft
Total Climb
294 ft
Total Descent
309 ft
Highest Point
334 ft
~96.5 mi in
Elevation Range
309 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 Sullivan, ME, road signs point toward Portland and Belfast.
Portland
11.6 mi in|~14m|via I 295
Belfast
73.9 mi in|~1h 26m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 168.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Sullivan, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Sullivan, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
