Saco, ME to Clinton, ME is 99.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 56 minutes via I 295 and Maine Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maine, moving from the Northeast region to itself. Expect a mostly highway experience for this short drive, making it a straightforward connection between two points. It's a practical route for getting from one part of the state to another without significant detours, ideal for a quick transfer.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.8 miles from Saco, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
52.5 mi
1h 1m
Maine Turnpike
43.5 mi
47m
North Street
1.4 mi
2m
Hinckley Road
0.8 mi
1m
Baker Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Railroad Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Beach Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 52.5 mi, about 1h 1m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 78 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,550 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,104
Quietest
2 AM
~86 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
29.7×
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 Saco, ME and Clinton, ME.
1
Start on US 1 Alternate
92 ft·8 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto ME 112
162 ft·5 sec·Beach Street
3
Continue on ME 5; ME 112
1.4 mi·2 min·North Street
4
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Portland
5
Merge onto I 95
8.8 mi·9 min·Maine Turnpike
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
52 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 295
Exit 44Toward Downtown PortlandUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·38 min·Maine Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 138Toward Clinton, Burnham
9
Keep slight right at fork
194 ft·4 sec
10
Turn straight onto Hinckley Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Hinckley Road
11
Continue on Baker Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Baker Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto ME 11; ME 100
0.2 mi·25 sec·Main Street
13
Turn left onto Railroad Street
273 ft·7 sec·Railroad Street
14
Arrive at destination
Railroad Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of under two hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon will allow you ample time to reach your destination well before evening. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, you likely won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops. Keep an eye on exit numbers on I 295 as you approach your final destination, as the transition to North Street occurs after a significant highway segment.
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 49.8 miles from Saco, ME, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 22 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.8 miles or 59m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saco, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saco, ME
This is one driving day of about 99.6 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Saco, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 52.5 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 99.6 — 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|ME 112 / Beach Street
Turn right onto ME 112 / Beach Street
Navigation decision point
8
10.8 mi into trip|~13m in|I 295
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward Downtown Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 44
Toward Downtown Portland
6
98 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward Clinton, Burnham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 138
Toward Clinton, Burnham
5
99.4 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|ME 11; ME 100 / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto ME 11; ME 100 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
99.6 mi into trip|~1h 56m in|Railroad Street
Turn left onto Railroad Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.22 one way
$34.44 round trip
$4.39/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$19.21
$38.42
premium
$5.27
$20.67
$41.34
diesel
$6.28
$24.61
$49.22
Estimated Tolls: $2.61
Maine Turnpike
(43.5 mi)$2.61
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
$17
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.9
0
$10.46
$4.78
Efficient EV
24.9
0
$8.72
$3.98
EV Truck/SUV
39.8
0
$13.94
$6.37
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Saco, ME
Late night
in Saco on Friday
Local time
3:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Sunny
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Clinton, ME
Late night
in Clinton on Friday
Local time
3:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Sunny
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
34°F
Brunswick, ME
50 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
1 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
1h 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 51.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 96% of the route utilizing major roads like I 295 and the Maine Turnpike. You'll encounter a stretch of 52.5 miles on I 295 without needing to exit, offering a consistent cruising experience. The highway portion concludes as you transition to North Street in Clinton, marking the shift to surface roads for the final approach.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.5 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ME 112 / Beach Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 99.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 (ME 112 / Beach Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.8 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 98 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
262 ft20 ft
Total Climb
346 ft
Total Descent
283 ft
Highest Point
262 ft
~78.3 mi in
Elevation Range
242 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 Saco, ME to Clinton, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Portland along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 99.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.5 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.61 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.
Yes — we found about 3 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.
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 (ME 112 / Beach Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.8 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 98 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 Clinton, ME before heading back.
