Spanning 308.3 miles, this journey from Madawaska to Auburn takes approximately 6 hours and 32 minutes to complete. While it is technically feasible as a single-day push, the significant duration makes it a substantial trek across the state of Maine. You should budget about $49 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. The route relies on a mix of I-95, Aroostook Road, and the Aroostook Scenic Highway to navigate the Northeast region. Because the drive is lengthy, consider whether you prefer a direct transit or a more relaxed pace to break up the time behind the wheel.
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
154.1 miles from Madawaska, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
153.7 mi
2h 42m
Aroostook Road
30.6 mi
45m
Aroostook Scenic Highway
30.2 mi
44m
Main Street
18.3 mi
32m
Portage Road
15.3 mi
22m
US 202
12.8 mi
14m
Masardis Road
11.7 mi
17m
Frenchville Road
7 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 153.7 mi, about 2h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madawaska, ME and Auburn, ME.
1
Start on North 6th Avenue
47 ft·5 sec·North 6th Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 1
12 mi·23 min·Main Street
3
Continue on US 1
7.0 mi·11 min·Frenchville Road
4
Continue on US 1
0.7 mi·2 min·East Main Street
5
Turn left onto ME 161
1.3 mi·1 min·Market Street
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Bridge Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Bridge Street
7
Turn left onto ME 11
0.6 mi·1 min·Pleasant Street
8
Continue on ME 11
31 mi·45 min·Aroostook Road
9
Continue on ME 11
15 mi·22 min·Portage Road
10
Turn left onto ME 11
0.8 mi·1 min·Station Street
11
Turn right onto ME 11
0.4 mi·37 sec·Main Street
12
Continue on ME 11
12 mi·17 min·Masardis Road
13
Continue on ME 11
30 mi·44 min·Aroostook Scenic Highway
14
Continue on ME 11
4.4 mi·6 min·North Road
15
Continue on ME 11
1.1 mi·2 min·Main Street
16
Continue on ME 11
3.2 mi·4 min·South Patten Road
17
Continue on ME 11
3.5 mi·5 min·Station Road
18
Continue on Route 11
0.2 mi·15 sec·Route 11
19
Continue on Station Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Station Road
20
Continue on Main Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·Main Street
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
22
Merge onto I 95
154 mi·2 hr 42 min·I 95
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 109BToward US 202 West, ME 11 West, ME 17 West, ME 100 West: Winthrop
24
Turn right onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
2.8 mi·3 min·Western Avenue
25
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
13 mi·14 min·US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.9 mi·1 min·US Route 202
27
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
2.7 mi·3 min·Route 202
28
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.6 mi·42 sec·US Route 202
29
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
3.8 mi·4 min·Route 202
30
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
4.9 mi·5 min·Main Street
31
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.4 mi·39 sec·Court Street
32
Turn left onto US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100
0.1 mi·42 sec·Minot Avenue
33
Continue on US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100
456 ft·5 sec·Minot Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100
Trip Plan
To manage this 308.3-mile trip effectively, try to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the final leg of your journey. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, make sure to use it strategically to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep in mind the $49 fuel estimate, and consider topping off your tank before hitting the longest 153.7-mile stretch on I-95 to avoid any mid-highway stress. Because this is a long drive, having a co-driver or scheduling a meaningful break will help maintain your energy levels. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over if you find the rhythm of the road becoming monotonous.
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 154.1 miles from Madawaska, ME, or about 3h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.7 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 68 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.1 miles or 3h 45m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Madawaska, 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 Madawaska, ME
This is one driving day of about 308.3 miles and 6h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Madawaska, 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 153.7 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 278.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 1 / Main Street
Turn right onto US 1 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
19.4 mi into trip|~36m in|ME 161 / Market Street
Turn left onto ME 161 / Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
3
20.6 mi into trip|~38m in|Bridge Street
Turn right onto Bridge Street
Navigation decision point
4
67.3 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|ME 11 / Station Street
Turn left onto ME 11 / Station Street
Navigation decision point
6
278.9 mi into trip|~5h 57m in
Take the exit toward US 202 West, ME 11 West, ME 17 West, ME 100 West: Winthrop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 109B
Toward US 202 West, ME 11 West, ME 17 West, ME...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.63 one way
$99.26 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$54.61
$109.22
premium
$4.86
$59.04
$118.08
diesel
$5.61
$68.07
$136.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.5
1
$32.37
$14.80
Efficient EV
77.1
0
$26.98
$12.33
EV Truck/SUV
123.3
1
$43.16
$19.73
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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
Madawaska, ME
Night
in Madawaska on Saturday
Local time
9:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Sunny
W 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Auburn, ME
Night
in Auburn on Saturday
Local time
9:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph6% 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
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 32m 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.
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 116.9
Park Closure: Loop Road and North Entrance Seasonal Closures
Park Closure: Katahdin Overlook Construction Closure
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 276.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that transitions between different road types as you head south. About 57% of your travel time will be spent on highways, providing a balance between high-speed transit and local navigation. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 153.7 miles on I-95, which demands steady focus during the middle portion of your day. The remainder of the route shifts between the more localized flow of the Aroostook Scenic Highway and Aroostook Road. Expect the road's personality to fluctuate as you move from the northern reaches toward Auburn, requiring you to adapt your driving style accordingly.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.7 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 1 / Main Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 32m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 1 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 19.4 miles (ME 161 / Market Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles (Bridge Street): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 32m. Total distance: 308.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153.7 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.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Auburn, 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: near the start (US 1 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 19.4 miles (ME 161 / Market Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles (Bridge Street): Navigation decision point.
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 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Auburn, ME before the return drive.
