Cleveland to Augusta, ME is 796.5 miles and takes about 15 hours 26 minutes via I-90, with a fuel budget near $123 and not enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive takes you from the Midwest to the Northeast, traversing multiple states and major highways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the New York State Thruway and the Massachusetts Turnpike, so expect a significant amount of toll road driving. This route is best broken up over two days, offering a practical way to cover the distance efficiently.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
4 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
398.2 miles from Cleveland, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 7h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
361.6 mi
6h 59m
Massachusetts Turnpike
105.9 mi
2h 2m
I 90
101.3 mi
1h 55m
I 495
62.8 mi
1h 13m
Blue Star Turnpike
54.2 mi
1h
I 295
52.5 mi
1h 1m
New York State Thruway Berkshire Connector
24 mi
27m
Lakeland Freeway
8.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 361.6 mi, about 6h 59m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 382 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,005 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,721
Quietest
2 AM
~276 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Cleveland, OH and Augusta, ME.
1
Start on Frankfort Avenue
156 ft·6 sec·Frankfort Avenue
2
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 3rd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 90 East, SR 2 EastUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto SR 2
3.5 mi·4 min·Cleveland Memorial Shoreway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 90; SR 2
8.8 mi·10 min·Lakeland Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90
3.8 mi·5 min·Euclid Spur
Toward I 90 East, I 271 South: Erie PAUse the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 271
101 mi·1 hr 55 min·I 90
8
Continue on I 90
347 mi·6 hr 42 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
15 mi·16 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, BostonUse the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 21AToward Massachusetts Turnpike, Boston
11
Continue on New York State Thruway Berkshire Connector
24 mi·27 min·New York State Thruway Berkshire Connector
12
Continue on I 90
106 mi·2 hr 2 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 106Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, TauntonUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hampshire
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NHUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 495
63 mi·1 hr 13 min·I 495
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 95
6.7 mi·7 min·I 95
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
7.8 mi·9 min·Blue Star Turnpike
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
46 mi·50 min·Blue Star Turnpike
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine PointsUse the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
52 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 295
Exit 44Toward Downtown PortlandUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 95
6.3 mi·6 min·Maine Turnpike
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 109Toward US 202, ME 11, ME 17, ME 100: Augusta, Winthrop
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward US 202, ME 11, ME 17, ME 100: Augusta
24
Turn straight onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
0.6 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
25
Turn right onto Armory Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·Armory Street
26
Continue on Capitol Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Capitol Street
27
Turn left onto US 201; ME 27
0.2 mi·18 sec·State Street
28
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 27; ME 100
466 ft·8 sec·Memorial Circle
29
Arrive at destination
US 201; ME 27
Trip Plan
Given the 15.5-hour driving time, planning for two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning on day one to maximize your daylight hours and reach a comfortable stopping point. You'll have about 4 planned stops, so consider using these to break up the 361.6-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially on the longer highway segments, and budget around $123 for gas. Breaking the drive into two roughly equal days will make the trip much more manageable.
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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 4 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 398.2 miles from Cleveland, OH, or about 7h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 361.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 175 miles or 3h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 398.2 miles or 7h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 398.2 miles or 7h 43m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 14h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Augusta, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cleveland, OH 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cleveland, OH
Aim for roughly 398 miles and 7.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Augusta, ME
Aim for roughly 398 miles and 7.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 175 miles from Cleveland, OH.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 4 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 361.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 611.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 90 East, SR 2 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 90 East, SR 2 East
8
13 mi into trip|~17m in|I 90 / Euclid Spur
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90 / Euclid Spur toward I 90 East, I 271 South: Erie PA
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 90 East, I 271 South: Erie PA
8
465.1 mi into trip|~9h 1m in|New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
8
610.7 mi into trip|~11h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
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 106
Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
8
611.2 mi into trip|~11h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$124.62 one way
$249.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg279 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$140.30
$280.59
premium
$5.06
$158.55
$317.09
diesel
$6.18
$193.76
$387.53
Estimated Tolls: $29.82
New York State Thruway
(385.5 mi)$19.28
Massachusetts Turnpike
(105.9 mi)$6.36
Blue Star Turnpike
(54.2 mi)$3.80
Maine Turnpike
(6.3 mi)$0.38
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
$125
Tolls
$30
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$284–$394
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 278.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $84 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
239
2
$83.63
$38.23
Efficient EV
199.1
2
$69.69
$31.86
EV Truck/SUV
318.6
3
$111.51
$50.98
Gas CO2
279 kg
EV CO2
93 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Cleveland, OH
Morning
in Cleveland on Saturday
Local time
11:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
N 20 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:34AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 12:44AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Augusta, ME
Morning
in Augusta on Saturday
Local time
11:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
37°F
Union, NY
263 mi in
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
2 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
15h 26m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
National Park
Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discov...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip involves 796.5 miles of driving, with about 50% on major highways like the New York State Thruway and Massachusetts Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 361.6 miles on the New York State Thruway, which means extended periods of consistent speed and potentially fewer immediate exit options. After the highway portions, you will transition to surface roads, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and traffic patterns as you approach your destination.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 361.6 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
At 15h 26m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 796.5 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 0.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles (I 90 / Euclid Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 465.1 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,052 ft18 ft
Total Climb
1,235 ft
Total Descent
1,767 ft
Highest Point
1,052 ft
~512 mi in
Elevation Range
1,035 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cleveland, OH and Augusta, ME, road signs point toward Boston, Massachusetts Turnpike, Taunton, Portsmouth New Hampshire, Portsmouth and New Hampshire - among others.
Cleveland is a culturally diverse city on the shores of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA. Recreational, cultural and educational opportunities are abundant throughout Northeast Ohio. You'll find world-class museums, cultural events, professional sports, and amusement parks.
Top landmarks
•Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — music museum in Cleveland, Ohio, United States
•Cleveland Museum of Art — art museum in Cleveland, Ohio
Augusta is the capital of Maine, but at 19,000 (2020), it is one of the least populous state capitals in the United States. Top attractions include the historic Old Fort Western (the oldest surviving wooden fort in New England (built 1754)), tours of the Maine State House, the Maine State Museum, and outdoor recreation at Viles Arboretum or the Kennebec River Rail Trail.
Top landmarks
•Maine State House — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Maine
•Fort Western — fort in Augusta, Maine
•The Blaine House — Official residence of the Governor of Maine
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 361.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 398 miles on day one.
Expect about $29.82 in tolls one way, starting with New York State Thruway. 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 81 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 Augusta, 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 4 meaningful breaks. There are 81 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 0.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles (I 90 / Euclid Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 465.1 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 15.4 hours each way, a round trip means 30.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Augusta, ME before the return drive.
