Caribou, ME to Lewiston, ME is 274.5 miles and takes about 5 hours 19 minutes via I 95 and US 202, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, specifically Maine, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the same state. With most of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient travel. You'll find this an easy option if you need to cover this distance quickly without needing an overnight stop.
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
137.2 miles from Caribou, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
191.4 mi
3h 19m
US 202
12.8 mi
14m
Houlton Road
10.3 mi
14m
Route 1
9.1 mi
14m
Presque Isle Road
7.7 mi
11m
Main Street
6.8 mi
11m
Main Road
6.7 mi
10m
Route 202
6.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 191.4 mi, about 3h 19m
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 Lewiston, 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
191 mi·3 hr 19 min·I 95
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 109BToward US 202 West, ME 11 West, ME 17 West, ME 100 West: Winthrop
30
Turn right onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
2.8 mi·3 min·Western Avenue
31
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
13 mi·14 min·US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.9 mi·1 min·US Route 202
33
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
2.7 mi·3 min·Route 202
34
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.6 mi·42 sec·US Route 202
35
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
3.8 mi·4 min·Route 202
36
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
4.5 mi·5 min·Main Street
37
Continue on US 202
0.1 mi·19 sec·Main Street
38
Turn slight right
157 ft·5 sec
39
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this single-day trip, consider departing Caribou in the morning, aiming to arrive in Lewiston before evening. The drive is manageable within daylight hours, so you can be flexible with your start time. You'll have one recommended stop, but with a 191.4-mile stretch on I 95, plan your breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you move off the main interstate; the estimated $49 fuel cost is a good baseline for planning.
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 137.2 miles from Caribou, ME, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191.4 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 60 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.2 miles or 2h 52m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lewiston, 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 274.5 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 191.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 245.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business / Main Street
Turn left onto ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Record Street
Turn left onto Record Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|US 1; ME 161 / Presque Isle Road
Turn right onto US 1; ME 161 / Presque Isle Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
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.
6
245.9 mi into trip|~4h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 202 West, ME 11 West, ME 17 West, ME 100 West: Winthrop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 109B
Toward US 202 West, ME 11 West, ME 17 West, ME...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.08 one way
$86.15 round trip
$3.99/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$48.37
$96.75
premium
$4.81
$52.00
$104.01
diesel
$4.80
$51.83
$103.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.4
1
$28.82
$13.18
Efficient EV
68.6
0
$24.02
$10.98
EV Truck/SUV
109.8
1
$38.43
$17.57
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Caribou, ME
Night
in Caribou on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lewiston, ME
Night
in Lewiston on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy
W 0 to 5 mph0% 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
3 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
5h 19m 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.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
National Monument
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 94.6
Park Closure: Loop Road and North Entrance Seasonal Closures
Park Closure: Katahdin Overlook Construction Closure
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 246.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 81% of the 274.5 miles on major roads like I 95. You'll experience a long stretch of 191.4 miles on I 95, indicating a significant period of consistent cruising. After the highway portion, you'll transition to surface roads like US 202 and Houlton Road for the remainder of the trip, likely noticing more local traffic and intersections as you approach your destination.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 191.4 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and US 202. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business / Main Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 19m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Record Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 1; ME 161 / Presque Isle Road): Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Lewiston-Auburn is a city in Androscoggin County, in the central Maine region of Maine. The Androscoggin River divides the city into two separate municipalities: the east bank is Lewiston, with a population of about 39,000 (2016), and the west bank is Auburn, with about 23,000 people (2016). They are known locally as the "Twin Cities" or "L–A".
Top landmarks
•Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul — cathedral
•Kora Temple — masonic temple in Lewiston, United States of America
•Lewiston City Hall — city hall building in Lewiston, Maine, United States
The longest stretch is about 191.4 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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: near the start (ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Record Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 1; ME 161 / Presque Isle Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lewiston, ME before the return drive.
