This 94.5-mile drive from Fairfield to Biddeford, Maine, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 52 minutes. Designed for a single day, it's a convenient option for a quick getaway within the Northeast region. The route is predominantly highway, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. With an estimated fuel cost of just $15, it's an economical choice for a road trip. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect a consistent driving experience from start to finish.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.3 miles from Fairfield, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
53.2 mi
1h 2m
I 95
29.1 mi
31m
Maine Turnpike
7.3 mi
7m
North Street
1.7 mi
3m
Western Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
Main Street
0.9 mi
1m
High Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Buxton Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 53.2 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, ME and Biddeford, ME.
1
Start on Lawrence Avenue
164 ft·9 sec·Lawrence Avenue
2
Turn right onto High Street
0.2 mi·57 sec·High Street
3
Turn left onto ME 139
0.9 mi·2 min·Western Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
5
Merge onto I 95
29 mi·31 min·I 95
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
51 mi·58 min·I 295
Exit 103Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, BrunswickUse the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
2.6 mi·3 min·I 295
8
Merge onto I 95
7.3 mi·7 min·Maine Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 36Toward I 195 East: Saco, Old Orchard Beach
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 35Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
11
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·18 sec·this road
Exit 35Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 35Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
13
Turn left onto ME 112
212 ft·4 sec·Buxton Road
14
Continue on ME 112
1.7 mi·3 min·North Street
15
Turn right onto ME 9; US 1 Alternate
0.9 mi·1 min·Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
US 1 Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of under two hours, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can leave Fairfield at your leisure, perhaps after enjoying a relaxed breakfast. Since there are no designated stops recommended, plan your own breaks as needed, keeping in mind the longest stretch without an exit is over 50 miles. Keep an eye on fuel levels as you approach Biddeford; while the total fuel cost is low at $15, it's always wise to top off before entering a new area. This route is ideal for a spontaneous trip, allowing you to depart whenever the mood strikes.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.3 miles from Fairfield, ME, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.2 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.3 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Biddeford, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairfield, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fairfield, ME
This is one driving day of about 94.5 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Fairfield, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 53.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 91.7 — 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|High Street
Turn right onto High Street
Navigation decision point
9
30.4 mi into trip|~35m 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
90.8 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
91 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
91.7 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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
$15.21 one way
$30.43 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$16.74
$33.48
premium
$4.86
$18.10
$36.19
diesel
$5.61
$20.86
$41.73
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
$15
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.3
0
$9.92
$4.54
Efficient EV
23.6
0
$8.27
$3.78
EV Truck/SUV
37.8
0
$13.23
$6.05
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Fairfield, ME
Night
in Fairfield on Saturday
Local time
10:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Biddeford, ME
Night
in Biddeford on Saturday
Local time
10:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Freeport, ME
47 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.
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 52m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 42.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Primarily a highway-focused drive, 95% of this route utilizes major interstates like I-295 and I-95. You'll experience a 53.2-mile stretch on I-295 without needing to exit, offering a consistent pace. The Maine Turnpike is a significant part of the journey, characterized by its smooth pavement and steady traffic flow. While not particularly winding or technically challenging, the consistent highway nature means you'll be covering ground efficiently. This drive is about getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.2 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near High Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (High Street): Navigation decision point; at 30.4 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
329 ft54 ft
Total Climb
394 ft
Total Descent
469 ft
Highest Point
329 ft
~6.8 mi in
Elevation Range
275 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 Fairfield, ME to Biddeford, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Brunswick
30.4 mi in|~35m|via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 94.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.2 miles on I 295. 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.
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 Biddeford, ME before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 (High Street): Navigation decision point; at 30.4 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Biddeford, ME before heading back.
