Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
21m
Distance
12.3 mi
20 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buxton, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Saco, ME
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking for a quick, straightforward transit in Maine, the 12.3-mile trip from Buxton to Saco is an efficient option. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 21 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day journey. Since the route requires zero highway driving, you will stay entirely on local roads, keeping your travel costs low at an estimated $2 in fuel. There is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics given the short distance. It is a practical, no-fuss connection within the Northeast region that gets you from point A to point B without any major travel stress.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Buxton Road | 5.1 mi | 9m |
| Narragansett Trail | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Beech Plains Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Long Plains Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Buxton, ME and Saco, ME.
Start on Long Plains Road
Turn right onto US 202; ME 4
Turn left onto Beech Plains Road
Continue on ME 112
Continue on ME 112
Turn left onto US 1 Alternate
Arrive at destination
3 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 12.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 202; ME 4 / Narragansett Trail
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Beech Plains Road
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 1 Alternate / Main Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$1.98 one way
$3.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $2.18 | $4.36 |
| premium | $4.86 | $2.36 | $4.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.72 | $5.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.29 | $0.59 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.08 | $0.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.72 | $0.79 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Night in Buxton on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Light Rain
Destination
Night in Saco on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Light Rain
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. You will navigate via Buxton Road, Narragansett Trail, and Beech Plains Road, which keeps the pace moderate rather than fast. With 0% highway share, this route avoids the monotony of interstate travel in favor of local pavement. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 5.1 miles on Buxton Road, so plan for frequent changes in direction throughout the trip. The road’s personality is defined by these transitions, requiring you to stay alert as you maneuver through the local landscape.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 202; ME 4 / Narragansett Trail.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Buxton, ME to Saco, ME is easy. At 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (US 202; ME 4 / Narragansett Trail): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (Beech Plains Road): Navigation decision point; at 12.3 miles (US 1 Alternate / Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
50 ft
Total Descent
168 ft
Highest Point
233 ft
~3.5 mi in
Elevation Range
166 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 21m. Total distance: 12.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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