Lewiston to Limestone is 277.1 miles and takes about 5h 22m via I 95 and US 202, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maine, connecting two points in the Northeast region. The route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward option if you want to cover ground efficiently. With a recommended one-day trip, it's best suited for those looking for a practical drive rather than a leisurely exploration.
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
138.6 miles from Lewiston, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
191.7 mi
3h 19m
US 202
12.8 mi
14m
Houlton Road
12 mi
17m
Route 1
9.1 mi
14m
Limestone Road
8.4 mi
12m
Main Road
6.7 mi
10m
Route 202
6.6 mi
7m
North Road
5.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 191.7 mi, about 3h 19m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 64 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,113 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,508
Quietest
1 AM
~41 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.1×
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 Lewiston, ME and Limestone, ME.
1
Start on this road
70 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn sharp left onto ME 126
123 ft·5 sec·Sabattus Street
3
Turn right onto US 202
4.4 mi·5 min·Main Street
4
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
3.8 mi·4 min·Route 202
5
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.6 mi·42 sec·US Route 202
6
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
2.7 mi·3 min·Route 202
7
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.9 mi·1 min·US Route 202
8
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
13 mi·14 min·US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
2.5 mi·3 min·Western Avenue
10
Turn left
416 ft·8 sec
11
Turn straight onto Old Winthrop Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Old Winthrop Road
12
Turn right onto Macomber Avenue
0.2 mi·54 sec·Macomber Avenue
13
Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
475 ft·8 sec·Western Avenue
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I-95 North: Waterville, Bangor
16
Merge onto I 95
192 mi·3 hr 19 min·I 95
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 302Toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
18
Turn left onto US 1
3.2 mi·5 min·North Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 1
5.8 mi·8 min·North Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Continue on US 1
0.7 mi·54 sec·US Highway 1
21
Continue on US 1
6.4 mi·10 min·Route 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Continue on US 1
6.7 mi·10 min·Main Road
23
Continue on US 1
2.7 mi·4 min·Route 1
24
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·40 sec·Military Road
25
Continue on US 1
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
26
Turn straight onto US 1A
0.1 mi·9 sec·Bridge Street
27
Continue on US 1A
5.8 mi·8 min·Fort Street
28
Continue on US 1A
12 mi·17 min·Houlton Road
29
Continue on US 1A; 167
1.0 mi·1 min·Presque Isle Street
30
Continue on US 1A
0.2 mi·20 sec·Bridge Street
31
Continue on US 1A
8.4 mi·12 min·Limestone Road
32
Continue on US 1A
1.2 mi·1 min·Fort Fairfield Road
33
Continue on US 1A
0.6 mi·59 sec·Main Street
34
Turn left onto Trafton Avenue
73 ft·3 sec·Trafton Avenue
35
Arrive at destination
Trafton Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider leaving Lewiston in the morning to ensure you arrive in Limestone with plenty of daylight. Since it’s a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but planning for one stop along the way for fuel or a break is wise. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of the long 191.7-mile stretch on I 95, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $45 should help you budget accordingly for the 277.1-mile journey.
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 138.6 miles from Lewiston, ME, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191.7 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 61 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.6 miles or 2h 29m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Limestone, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, ME
This is one driving day of about 277.1 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Lewiston, 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 191.7 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 221 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|ME 126 / Sabattus Street
Turn sharp left onto ME 126 / Sabattus Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
28.5 mi into trip|~33m in|Macomber Avenue
Turn right onto Macomber Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
28.8 mi into trip|~34m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
6
29.1 mi into trip|~35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-95 North: Waterville, Bangor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-95 North: Waterville, Bangor
6
221 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 302
Toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.16 one way
$92.32 round trip
$4.23/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.70
$51.22
$102.44
premium
$5.07
$55.27
$110.53
diesel
$5.60
$61.08
$122.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.1
1
$29.10
$13.30
Efficient EV
69.3
0
$24.25
$11.08
EV Truck/SUV
110.8
1
$38.79
$17.73
Gas CO2
97 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 Aug 26, 2026
Origin
Lewiston, ME
Late night
in Lewiston on Wednesday
Local time
4:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
W 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Limestone, ME
Late night
in Limestone on Wednesday
Local time
4:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
51°F
Schoodic, ME
139 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
4 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
5h 22m 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 181.6
Caution: Increased Logging Traffic Along Swift Brook Road
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
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 28.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 80% of your time on highways, which means roughly 221 miles of consistent cruising. The longest continuous stretch on I 95 covers 191.7 miles, offering a good period of uninterrupted travel. After that, you'll transition to surface roads like US 202 and Houlton Road, likely noticing a change in speed and traffic density as you enter more rural areas.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 191.7 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 126 / Sabattus 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 22m 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 126 / Sabattus Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 28.5 miles (Macomber Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
713 ft135 ft
Total Climb
719 ft
Total Descent
339 ft
Highest Point
713 ft
~257.3 mi in
Elevation Range
578 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lewiston, ME and Limestone, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor and Presque Isle.
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 191.7 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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: near the start (ME 126 / Sabattus Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 28.5 miles (Macomber Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.4 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 Limestone, ME before the return drive.
