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
.
Main Roads
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
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 198.2 mi, about 3h 26m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,306 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,679
Quietest
1 AM
~48 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Caribou, ME and Gorham, ME.
1
Start on this road
43 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business
101 ft·2 sec·Main Street
3
Turn slight left onto ME 161B; ME 164
477 ft·10 sec·Herschel Street
4
Turn left onto Record Street
471 ft·14 sec·Record Street
5
Turn left onto ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business
381 ft·7 sec·Washburn Street
6
Turn right onto ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business
0.1 mi·12 sec·Main Street
7
Turn slight left onto Lyndon Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Lyndon Street
8
Turn right onto US 1; ME 161
5.7 mi·8 min·Presque Isle Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Continue on US 1
5.1 mi·7 min·Caribou Road
10
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·48 sec·Main Street
11
Turn right onto ME 163
0.7 mi·1 min·Connector Road
12
Continue on ME 163
0.2 mi·18 sec·State Road
13
Continue on ME 163; ME 227
0.8 mi·1 min·Parsons Street
14
Turn left onto ME 227
0.2 mi·21 sec·State Street
15
Turn right onto US 1
1.3 mi·3 min·Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Continue on US 1
10 mi·14 min·Houlton Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 1
2.0 mi·3 min·Presque Isle Road
18
Continue on US 1
0.7 mi·2 min·Benjamin Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 1
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
20
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·40 sec·Military Road
21
Continue on US 1
2.7 mi·4 min·Route 1
22
Continue on US 1
6.7 mi·10 min·Main Road
23
Continue on US 1
6.4 mi·10 min·Route 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Continue on US 1
0.7 mi·54 sec·US Highway 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Continue on US 1
5.8 mi·8 min·North Road
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 1
3.1 mi·5 min·North Street
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
28
Merge onto I 95
198 mi·3 hr 26 min·I 95
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
41 mi·46 min·I 295
Exit 103Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, BrunswickUse the straight lane.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 11Toward I 95: NH-Mass
31
Merge onto Falmouth Spur
1.0 mi·1 min·Falmouth Spur
32
Keep slight left at fork onto Falmouth Spur
2.5 mi·3 min·Falmouth Spur
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: Portland, Kittery
34
Merge onto I 95
2.6 mi·3 min·Maine Turnpike
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 48Toward ME 25, US 302Use the slight right lane.
36
Continue on Larrabee Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Larrabee Road
Use the straight lane.
37
Turn right onto Westbrook Arterial
1.2 mi·1 min·Westbrook Arterial
38
Continue on William B Clarke Drive
0.5 mi·39 sec·William B Clarke Drive
Use the straight lane.
39
Turn right onto Spring Street
324 ft·13 sec·Spring Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Turn left onto ME 25 Business
0.5 mi·53 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
41
Turn right onto ME 25
0.4 mi·47 sec·William B Clarke Drive
42
Continue on ME 25
0.3 mi·38 sec·Conant Street
43
Continue on Main Street
3.2 mi·5 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
44
Continue on US 202; ME 4
491 ft·9 sec·State Street
45
Turn right
124 ft·9 sec
46
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 154.3 miles from Caribou, ME, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.2 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 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.
Before You Leave
+
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.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Caribou, 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 95 for about 198.2 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 21
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.
6
13.6 mi into trip|~21m in|US 1 / Main Street
Turn right onto US 1 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
252.7 mi into trip|~4h 53m in|I 295
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
Use the straight lane.
Exit 103
Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Bru...
6
297.9 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: Portland, Kittery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 South: Portland, Kittery
8
301.1 mi into trip|~5h 50m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 48
Toward ME 25, US 302
6
303.9 mi into trip|~5h 54m in|Spring Street
Turn right onto Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.53 one way
$109.07 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$59.73
$119.46
premium
$5.29
$64.24
$128.48
diesel
$5.35
$64.98
$129.96
Estimated Tolls: $0.16
Maine Turnpike
(2.6 mi)$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
$55
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
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, 2026-06-01.
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Caribou, ME
Afternoon
in Caribou on Wednesday
Local time
3:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Gorham, ME
Afternoon
in Gorham on Wednesday
Local time
3:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Chance Rain Showers
NE 5 mph65% chanceLive forecast
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
6 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
6h 2m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 266
Spread across a wild landscape offering spectacular views of Katahdin, Katahdin Woods and Waters invites discovery of its rivers, streams, woods, flora, fauna, geology, and the night skies that have a...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 95.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
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.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.2 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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.
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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
695 ft79 ft
Total Climb
778 ft
Total Descent
976 ft
Highest Point
695 ft
~66.1 mi in
Elevation Range
617 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 Caribou, ME to Gorham, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Caribou is the most northeastern city in the United States and located just 10 minutes from the Canadian border. The community was incorporated in 1859. The community has a rich agricultural history and is known for some of the finest snowmobiling in the Northeast.
Located about 25 minutes outside of Portland, Gorham is a town of about 16,000 inhabitants on an area of about 50.3 square miles. Though it seems like quite a large town, the center of Gorham is in fact very quaint. It centers around one intersection (of Main Street, South Street, and State Street) with multiple local dining and shopping options.
Top landmarks
•Gorham Campus Historic District — historic district in Gorham, Maine
•South Street Historic District — historic district in Gorham, Maine
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 198.2 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.16 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 10 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 Gorham, 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 10 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 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.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gorham, ME before the return drive.
