Lewiston, ME to Mapleton, ME is 253.1 miles and takes about 5h 2m via I 95 and US 202, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maine, traveling from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a fairly straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a practical option for a single day. You'll find it's a direct route with a clear destination, suitable for those prioritizing efficiency.
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
126.6 miles from Lewiston, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
154.1 mi
2h 42m
Aroostook Scenic Highway
30.2 mi
44m
US 202
12.8 mi
14m
Masardis Road
11.7 mi
17m
Presque Isle Road
7.3 mi
10m
Route 202
6.6 mi
7m
Main Street
6.5 mi
9m
Station Road
5.2 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 154.1 mi, about 2h 42m
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 Mapleton, 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
154 mi·2 hr 42 min·I 95
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 264Toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten
18
Keep slight left at fork
70 ft·2 sec
19
Turn left onto Main Street
0.4 mi·32 sec·Main Street
20
Continue on Station Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Station Road
21
Continue on Route 11
0.2 mi·15 sec·Route 11
22
Continue on ME 11
3.5 mi·5 min·Station Road
23
Continue on ME 11
3.2 mi·4 min·South Patten Road
24
Continue on ME 11
1.1 mi·2 min·Main Street
25
Continue on ME 11
4.4 mi·6 min·North Road
26
Continue on ME 11
30 mi·44 min·Aroostook Scenic Highway
27
Continue on ME 11
12 mi·17 min·Masardis Road
28
Continue on ME 11
0.1 mi·16 sec·Main Street
29
Turn right onto ME 163
7.3 mi·10 min·Presque Isle Road
30
Continue on ME 163
5.1 mi·7 min·Haystack Road
31
Continue on ME 163
0.5 mi·45 sec·Main Street
32
Arrive at destination
ME 163
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, departing Lewiston in the morning is ideal to ensure you have ample daylight for the entire trip. The route has one recommended stop, so plan to take a break midway to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. With a fuel cost estimated at $41, be prepared for that expense. A practical tip for this drive is to be mindful of the transition from I 95 to US 202, as this marks a significant change in the road type and driving environment.
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 126.6 miles from Lewiston, ME, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.1 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 56 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.6 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mapleton, 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 253.1 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 154.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 183.6 — 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
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
183.4 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 264
Toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten
5
183.6 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.38 one way
$68.76 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$38.36
$76.73
premium
$4.15
$41.35
$82.71
diesel
$3.75
$37.37
$74.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.9
0
$26.58
$12.15
Efficient EV
63.3
0
$22.15
$10.12
EV Truck/SUV
101.2
1
$35.43
$16.20
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 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
Lewiston, ME
Morning
in Lewiston on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 10 to 15 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mapleton, ME
Morning
in Mapleton on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Snow
NW 13 to 18 mph20% 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
7 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 2m 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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 192
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 26.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 69% of the drive on major roads like I 95. You'll experience a longest stretch of 154.1 miles on I 95 before transitioning to other roads. Expect to encounter more frequent exits and merges as you navigate the interstate segments, with the surface road portion offering a different driving pace.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 154.1 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Aroostook Scenic Highway. 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 2m drive. You will face about 12 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 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,055 ft167 ft
Total Climb
1,007 ft
Total Descent
664 ft
Highest Point
1,055 ft
~216.9 mi in
Elevation Range
889 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 Mapleton, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor and Patten.
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 154.1 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 13 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 126 / Sabattus Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mapleton, ME before the return drive.
