Saco, ME to Madawaska, ME is 350.7 miles and takes about 7h 18m via Maine Turnpike, I 295, and Aroostook Road, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maine, taking you from the southern part of the state up through its central and northern regions. Given its mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive, ideal if you want to cover ground efficiently. Plan for about 66% of your travel to be on highways, so be prepared for highway speeds and typical interstate services. You'll have two recommended stops along the way to break up the 7-hour drive.
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
175.4 miles from Saco, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Maine Turnpike
169.4 mi
2h 58m
I 295
52.5 mi
1h 1m
Aroostook Road
30.6 mi
45m
Aroostook Scenic Highway
30.2 mi
44m
Portage Road
15.3 mi
22m
Masardis Road
11.7 mi
17m
Route 120
6.4 mi
9m
Rue Saint-François
5.3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 169.4 mi, about 2h 58m
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 Madawaska, 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
161 mi·2 hr 49 min·Maine Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 264Toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten
9
Keep slight left at fork
70 ft·2 sec
10
Turn left onto Main Street
0.4 mi·32 sec·Main Street
11
Continue on Station Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Station Road
12
Continue on Route 11
0.2 mi·15 sec·Route 11
13
Continue on ME 11
3.5 mi·5 min·Station Road
14
Continue on ME 11
3.2 mi·4 min·South Patten Road
15
Continue on ME 11
1.1 mi·2 min·Main Street
16
Continue on ME 11
4.4 mi·6 min·North Road
17
Continue on ME 11
30 mi·44 min·Aroostook Scenic Highway
18
Continue on ME 11
12 mi·17 min·Masardis Road
19
Continue on ME 11
0.4 mi·42 sec·Main Street
20
Turn left onto ME 11
0.8 mi·1 min·Station Street
21
At end of road, turn right onto ME 11
15 mi·22 min·Portage Road
22
Continue on ME 11
31 mi·45 min·Aroostook Road
23
Continue on ME 11
1.6 mi·3 min·Pleasant Street
24
Turn left onto US 1; ME 161
0.4 mi·1 min·West Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Turn right onto US 1
0.2 mi·23 sec·Clair-Fort Kent Bridge
26
Keep slight right at fork onto NB 161
210 ft·12 sec·Clair-Fort Kent Bridge
27
At end of road, turn right onto NB 161
1.4 mi·3 min·Rue Principale
28
Continue on NB 161
1.6 mi·2 min·Route 161
29
Continue on NB 120
3.1 mi·4 min·Route 120
30
Continue on NB 120
2.7 mi·4 min·Rue Principale
31
Continue on NB 120
2.9 mi·4 min·Route 120
32
Continue on NB 120
2.1 mi·3 min·Rue Centrale
33
Continue on NB 120
0.4 mi·38 sec·Route 120
34
Continue on NB 120
5.3 mi·8 min·Rue Saint-François
35
Turn right onto Rue Bridge
350 ft·8 sec·Rue Bridge
36
Continue on Rue Bridge
0.2 mi·27 sec·Rue Bridge
37
Continue on Bridge Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·Bridge Street
38
Continue on Vital Drive
0.2 mi·30 sec·Vital Drive
39
Turn left onto US 1
0.7 mi·2 min·Main Street
40
Turn left onto North 6th Avenue
47 ft·2 sec·North 6th Avenue
41
Arrive at destination
North 6th Avenue
Trip Plan
To maximize daylight and minimize fatigue on this 7h 18m drive, consider an early morning departure from Saco. With two stops recommended, you can plan one midway and another closer to your destination. The longest continuous highway segment is 169.4 miles, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering this stretch. While the drive is doable in one day, be aware that 66% of it is highway, so factor in potential traffic, especially near urban areas at the start. Having your fuel budget of around $60 accounted for will prevent any surprises.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 175.4 miles from Saco, ME, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 169.4 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 77 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.4 miles or 3h 12m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madawaska, 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.
+
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 Saco, ME
This is one driving day of about 350.7 miles and 7h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Saco, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Maine Turnpike for about 169.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 329.3 — 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
223.9 mi into trip|~4h 3m 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
224.2 mi into trip|~4h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
329.3 mi into trip|~6h 43m in|US 1; ME 161 / West Main Street
Turn left onto US 1; ME 161 / West Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.21 one way
$122.41 round trip
$4.43/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.93
$68.12
$136.25
premium
$5.30
$73.19
$146.38
diesel
$6.18
$85.31
$170.63
Estimated Tolls: $10.17
Maine Turnpike
(169.4 mi)$10.17
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
$61
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.2
1
$36.82
$16.83
Efficient EV
87.7
1
$30.69
$14.03
EV Truck/SUV
140.3
1
$49.10
$22.44
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Saco, ME
Morning
in Saco on Saturday
Local time
11:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Sunny
NW 10 to 15 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Madawaska, ME
Morning
in Madawaska on Saturday
Local time
11:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
29°F
Patchy Fog
NW 12 mph0% 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
22 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
7h 18m 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
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 229.8
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 48.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 66% of your 350.7 miles on highways. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 169.4 miles on the Maine Turnpike. After that, the route transitions to I 295 and then Aroostook Road, suggesting a shift from a high-speed interstate to potentially more rural or local roads as you head north. Expect a mix of faster highway cruising and sections with more frequent exits or lower speed limits.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 169.4 mi on Maine Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and I 295. You will hit about 17 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 Effort6/10
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 350.7 miles you will encounter 17 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 223.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
968 ft67 ft
Total Climb
1,399 ft
Total Descent
885 ft
Highest Point
968 ft
~250.5 mi in
Elevation Range
901 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 Madawaska, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Patten along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 18m. Total distance: 350.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 169.4 miles on Maine Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.17 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 15 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Madawaska, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 15 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 112 / Beach Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.8 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 223.9 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Madawaska, ME before the return drive.
