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Trip from Caribou, ME to Saco, ME

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 9m

Distance

315.9 mi

508 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 57m ★
6 AM
6h 10m
8 AM
6h 35m
10 AM
6h 18m
12 PM
6h 16m
3 PM
6h 20m
5 PM
6h 34m
8 PM
6h 2m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Aroostook County, Maine, United States

Caribou, ME

Wikimedia Commons

city in York County, Maine, United States

Saco, ME

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Caribou to Saco covers 315.9 miles across the state of Maine, a journey that typically takes about 6 hours and 9 minutes. While you can complete this trip in a single day, it is a significant stretch of road that requires a steady pace. You will rely heavily on I-95 and I-295 to navigate the state, making this an efficient, highway-focused route rather than a leisurely backroad tour. With an estimated fuel cost of $51, it is a budget-friendly way to traverse the Northeast corridor. Because the drive is straightforward, it works well as a one-day push, though planning for at least one stop is essential to keep you alert. Ultimately, this is a practical transit route designed for getting from the northern reaches of the state to the southern coast with minimal fuss.

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

158 miles from Caribou, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 198.2 mi 3h 26m
I 295 53.2 mi 1h 2m
Houlton Road 10.3 mi 14m
Route 1 9.1 mi 14m
Presque Isle Road 7.7 mi 11m
Maine Turnpike 7.3 mi 7m
Main Road 6.7 mi 10m
North Road 5.8 mi 8m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 198.2 mi, about 3h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Caribou, ME and Saco, 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

51 mi · 58 min · I 295
Exit 103 Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick Use the straight lane.
30

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

2.6 mi · 3 min · I 295
31

Merge onto I 95

7.3 mi · 7 min · Maine Turnpike
32

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 36 Toward I 195 East: Saco, Old Orchard Beach
33

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 35 Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
34

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · this road
Exit 35 Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
35

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 35 Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
36

Turn left onto ME 112

212 ft · 4 sec · Buxton Road
37

Continue on ME 112

1.7 mi · 3 min · North Street
38

Turn left onto US 1 Alternate

92 ft · 2 sec · Main Street
39

Arrive at destination

US 1 Alternate

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 6-hour and 9-minute trip, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the final leg of the journey. Since the route involves such a long primary stretch on I-95, you should plan at least one strategic stop to break up the monotony and refuel. Keeping your $51 fuel budget in mind, try to time your fill-ups at convenient exits along the interstate to avoid searching for stations in unfamiliar areas. Because the majority of the route is highway-based, check traffic reports for the I-295 corridor before you hit the road, as congestion can fluctuate near your destination. Staying flexible with your departure time will help you navigate the 315.9-mile distance comfortably without feeling rushed.

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 158 miles from Caribou, ME, or about 3h 14m 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 69 miles or 1h 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 158 miles or 3h 14m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saco, 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 315.9 miles and 6h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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.

city in Maine, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brewer, ME

158 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Houlton, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bangor, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 158 miles from Caribou, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Ming Lee Chinese Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Waterville, Maine

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 225.7

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12078732828

Visit website

Grandbelly's Country Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Medway, Maine

1.3 mi

Vittles restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pittsfield, Maine

2 mi

Ming Lee Chinese Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 225.7

Waterville, Maine

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12078732828

Visit website

Grandbelly's Country Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.8

Medway, Maine

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12077466009

Vittles restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 203.1

Pittsfield, Maine

Hours: Closed

+12074878181

Visit website

Villager Family Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 225.7

Waterville, Maine

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12078726231

Thai With Us

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 248.2

Augusta, Maine

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12074801121

Visit website

Pepper's Landing

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 158

Old Town, Maine

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12078170280

Visit website

Governor's Restaurant & Bakery

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 158

Old Town, Maine

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+12078274277

Visit website

Old Fort Western

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 248.2

Augusta, Maine

+12076262385

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 13.6 and 314 — 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
313.1 mi into trip | ~6h 3m in

Take the exit toward I 195 East: Saco, Old Orchard Beach

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 36 Toward I 195 East: Saco, Old Orchard Beach
7
313.3 mi into trip | ~6h 4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 35 Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
8
314 mi into trip | ~6h 5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 35 Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.85 one way

$101.71 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $55.95 $111.91
premium $4.86 $60.49 $120.99
diesel $5.61 $69.75 $139.49

Estimated Tolls: $0.44

Maine Turnpike (7.3 mi) $0.44

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

$51

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 94.8 1 $33.17 $15.16
Efficient EV 79 0 $27.64 $12.64
EV Truck/SUV 126.4 1 $44.23 $20.22

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 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 Apr 12, 2026

Origin

Caribou, ME

Night in Caribou on Saturday

Local time

9:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Sunny

NW 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Saco, ME

Night in Saco on Saturday

Local time

9:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live 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

5 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

6h 9m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highly efficient transit experience, as 85% of this journey is spent on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-95, including a significant 198.2-mile uninterrupted stretch that defines the core of the trip. The transition from Houlton Road onto the interstate system allows for consistent speeds, though you should be prepared for the repetitive nature of long-distance highway driving. As you move toward Saco, the environment shifts from the more isolated northern landscape toward the busier, interconnected corridors of southern Maine. It is a no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic detours, making it ideal for travelers who value reaching their destination on schedule.

85% 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: 198.2 mi on I 95.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 315.9 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 313.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

706 ft 36 ft

Total Climb

448 ft

Total Descent

828 ft

Highest Point

706 ft

~67.7 mi in

Elevation Range

671 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 Saco, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.

Brunswick

252.7 mi in | ~4h 53m | via I 295

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 9m. Total distance: 315.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 9m 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 $0.44 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 Saco, 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 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 313.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saco, ME before the return drive.

How this page is built

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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