Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 2m
Distance
308.5 mi
497 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Caribou, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Gorham, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Caribou to Gorham covers 308.5 miles across the state of Maine. With a drive time of approximately 6 hours and 2 minutes, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-95 and I-295, making this a highly efficient, highway-focused journey. Budgeting about $49 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip. Since the drive stays entirely within the Northeast region, you can expect a consistent transition from the northern reaches of the state down toward the southern corridor. It is a straightforward trek that prioritizes speed and reliability over slow-paced backroads.
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
154.3 miles from Caribou, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 198.2 mi | 3h 26m |
| I 295 | 41.4 mi | 46m |
| Houlton Road | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| Route 1 | 9.1 mi | 14m |
| Presque Isle Road | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| Main Road | 6.7 mi | 10m |
| Main Street | 5.9 mi | 12m |
| North Road | 5.8 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Caribou, ME and Gorham, ME.
Start on this road
Turn left onto ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business
Turn slight left onto ME 161B; ME 164
Turn left onto Record Street
Turn left onto ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business
Turn right onto ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business
Turn slight left onto Lyndon Street
Turn right onto US 1; ME 161
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Turn right onto ME 163
Continue on ME 163
Continue on ME 163; ME 227
Turn left onto ME 227
Turn right onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
At end of road, turn right onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto Falmouth Spur
Keep slight left at fork onto Falmouth Spur
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Continue on Larrabee Road
Turn right onto Westbrook Arterial
Continue on William B Clarke Drive
Turn right onto Spring Street
Turn left onto ME 25 Business
Turn right onto ME 25
Continue on ME 25
Continue on Main Street
Continue on US 202; ME 4
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Given the 6-hour duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and maximize your daylight hours. Since you only have one planned stop, ensure you take full advantage of your break to stretch and refuel before committing to the longest 198.2-mile stretch on I-95. Because the route is so highway-dependent, keep an eye on traffic patterns as you approach the I-295 corridor near your destination. Planning for a single, well-timed stop will help keep your energy levels steady throughout the 308.5-mile trip. Keeping your $49 fuel budget in mind, try to fill up before hitting the busiest stretches of the interstate to avoid potential price fluctuations.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 68 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.3 miles or 3h 10m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gorham, ME than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Caribou, 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 Caribou, ME
This is one driving day of about 308.5 miles and 6h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 154.3 miles from Caribou, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.6 and 303.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 1 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: Portland, Kittery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward ME 25, US 302
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$49.66 one way
$99.33 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $54.64 | $109.29 |
| premium | $4.86 | $59.08 | $118.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $68.11 | $136.23 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.16
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
$50
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.6 | 1 | $32.39 | $14.81 |
| Efficient EV | 77.1 | 0 | $26.99 | $12.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.4 | 1 | $43.19 | $19.74 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Caribou on Saturday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Sunny
Destination
Night in Gorham on Saturday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy
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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
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National Monument
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as 82% of your route consists of highway travel. The most significant portion of your behind-the-wheel experience occurs on I-95, which features a continuous 198.2-mile stretch. While the initial leg involves Houlton Road, you will quickly merge into the interstate system for the bulk of the 308.5-mile journey. This creates a predictable, consistent rhythm that allows you to cover large distances efficiently. Be prepared for a focused, interstate-heavy experience that moves you rapidly from the north to the south.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 295. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.6 miles in near US 1 / Main Street.
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 21 significant decision points across 308.5 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 13.6 miles (US 1 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 252.7 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 297.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Caribou, ME to Gorham, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Brunswick
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 308.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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