Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 16m
Distance
140.2 mi
226 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madawaska, ME
Merve Tuncay
Lac Frontiere, ME
Александр Ершков
This 140.2-mile journey from Madawaska, ME to Lac Frontiere, ME is estimated to take about 7 hours and 16 minutes, making it a solid day trip. You'll primarily navigate Depot Road and Robinson Road, with Main Street also playing a role. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, this drive is quite economical. The route offers a local feel, with two recommended stops along the way. It's a straightforward trip entirely within the Northeast region of Maine, perfect for a single day of exploration without needing an overnight stay.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
70.1 miles from Madawaska, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Depot Road | 32.7 mi | 2h 6m |
| Robinson Road | 16.9 mi | 1h 5m |
| Main Street | 11.2 mi | 20m |
| Saint John Road | 10.3 mi | 18m |
| Camp 106 Road | 10.1 mi | 39m |
| Estcourt Road | 9.7 mi | 37m |
| Route 120 | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| Daaquam Road | 6.2 mi | 23m |
Step-by-step road directions between Madawaska, ME and Lac Frontiere, ME.
Start on North 6th Avenue
Turn right onto US 1
Turn right onto Vital Drive
Turn right onto Bridge Street
Continue on Rue Bridge
Keep slight left at fork onto Promenade des Veterans
At end of road, turn left onto Rue Saint-François
Continue on NB 120
Continue on NB 120
Continue on NB 120
Continue on NB 120
Continue on NB 120
Continue on NB 161
Continue on NB 161
Turn left onto NB 161
At end of road, turn right onto ME 161
Continue on ME 161
Continue on ME 161
Continue on ME 161
Continue on Dickey Road
Turn slight right onto Walker Brook Road
Continue on Rapid Road
Turn straight onto Camp 106 Road
Turn slight left onto Shortcut Road
Turn left onto Robichaud Road
Turn left onto Estcourt Road
Turn slight right onto Robinson Road
At end of road, turn right onto Maibec Road
Turn left
Turn right
Turn slight left
Turn right
Turn straight onto Depot Road
Turn right onto Depot Road
Continue on Daaquam Road
Arrive at destination
Given the 7-hour duration, consider an early morning departure from Madawaska to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your two planned stops. The $23 fuel cost is modest, but it's always wise to top off your tank before heading out, especially on local roads where services might be less frequent. Pay attention to the turn-heavy nature of the drive; a good GPS will be helpful. This route is well-suited for a single day, so you have the flexibility to linger at stops or adjust your schedule as needed.
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 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 31 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.1 miles or 2h 44m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lac Frontiere, ME than in the middle of the route.
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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Madawaska, ME
This is one driving day of about 140.2 miles and 7h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 70.1 miles from Madawaska, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 21.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Vital Drive
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Bridge Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto Promenade des Veterans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
At end of road, turn left onto Rue Saint-François
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto ME 161 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$22.57 one way
$45.14 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $24.83 | $49.67 |
| premium | $4.86 | $26.85 | $53.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.95 | $61.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.72 | $6.73 |
| Efficient EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.27 | $5.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.63 | $8.97 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Madawaska on Tuesday
Local time
4:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
23°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Lac Frontiere on Tuesday
Local time
4:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
22°F
Partly Cloudy
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only 6% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.7 miles along Depot Road. This road profile suggests a drive that requires your attention, moving through local scenery rather than high-speed travel. The character of the road will likely shift as you transition between Depot Road, Robinson Road, and Main Street, offering a varied driving experience.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Vital Drive.
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 7h 16m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Vital Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (Promenade des Veterans): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 16m. Total distance: 140.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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