Origin
Auburn, ME
Night in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Auburn, ME to Gardiner, ME
Drive Time
33m
Distance
28.1 mi
45 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 31m
★
6 AM
0h 34m
8 AM
0h 40m
10 AM
0h 36m
12 PM
0h 35m
3 PM
0h 36m
5 PM
0h 39m
8 PM
0h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, ME
Chermiti Mohamed
Gardiner, ME
Diana ✨
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick connection between Auburn and Gardiner, this 28.1-mile journey is an efficient way to traverse this part of the Northeast. You can easily complete the trip in about 33 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With a fuel budget of just $5, it remains an economical choice for commuters or travelers moving between these two Maine cities. Because the duration is so short, there is no need for an overnight stay, allowing you to focus your time on your destination. The route is straightforward and practical, serving as a reliable link within the region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
14.1 miles from Auburn, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 75% of your travel time will be spent on major roads like the Maine Turnpike. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 21 miles along the Turnpike. The journey transitions from the turnpike onto local arteries like Lewiston Road and Lisbon Street as you approach your final destination. This mix creates a fast-paced environment where you can cover ground efficiently before navigating the more localized infrastructure of the Gardiner area. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed for speed and directness rather than leisurely cruising.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Maine Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 21 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and Lewiston Road. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 202; ME 11; ME 100 / Court Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 (US 202; ME 11; ME 100 / Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (ME 196 / Canal Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 22.8 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 202; ME 11; ME 100 / Court Street
Turn right onto US 202; ME 11; ME 100 / Court Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
ME 196 / Canal Street
Turn sharp right onto ME 196 / Canal Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
22.8 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
24.6 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Litchfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 102
Toward ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Litchfield
5
24.9 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
ME 9; ME 126 / Lewiston Road
Enter roundabout onto ME 9; ME 126 / Lewiston Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Auburn, ME to Gardiner, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Litchfield along the way.
Litchfield
24.6 mi in
|
~28m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Turnpike | 21 mi | 22m |
| Lewiston Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Lisbon Street | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| Water Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Canal Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Cobbossee Avenue | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Court Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 21 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, ME and Gardiner, ME.
1
Start on US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100
40 ft
·
4 sec
·
Minot Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Court Street
3
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Main Street
4
Turn sharp right onto ME 196
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Canal Street
5
Merge onto ME 196
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lisbon Street
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
7
Turn straight onto Alfred A Plourde Parkway
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Alfred A Plourde Parkway
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
9
Merge onto I 95
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Maine Turnpike
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Maine Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 102
Toward ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Litchfield
12
Continue on this road
382 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
Exit 102
Toward ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Litchfield
13
Enter roundabout onto ME 9; ME 126
241 ft
·
4 sec
·
Lewiston Road
14
Continue on ME 9; ME 126
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lewiston Road
15
Continue on Cobbossee Avenue
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Cobbossee Avenue
16
Continue on Lewiston Road
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Lewiston Road
17
Continue on Central Street
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Central Street
18
Turn straight onto Water Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Water Street
19
Turn left onto Arcade Street
40 ft
·
1 sec
·
Arcade Street
20
Arrive at destination
Arcade Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 33-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a wise move. You do not need to worry about planning formal stops, as the 28.1-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep your $5 fuel budget in mind, but note that the brevity of the trip means you likely will not need to refuel mid-journey. Make sure to pay attention to the transition points where you exit the Maine Turnpike, as navigating from the highway onto Lisbon Street requires staying alert to signage. This route is best treated as a simple, direct transit rather than a multi-stop road trip.
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 14.1 miles from Auburn, ME, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21 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 28.1 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.1 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gardiner, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Auburn, 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 Auburn, ME
This is one driving day of about 28.1 miles and 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Auburn, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Maine Turnpike for about 21 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.1 mi from Auburn, ME · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 28.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.1 miles from Auburn, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gardiner, ME
The final approach into Gardiner, ME usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Gardiner, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.50 one way
$9.00 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $4.93 | $9.86 |
| premium | $4.83 | $5.34 | $10.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.24 | $12.49 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.26
Maine Turnpike
(21 mi)
$1.26
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
$5
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.95 | $1.35 |
| Efficient EV | 7 | 0 | $2.46 | $1.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.2 | 0 | $3.93 | $1.80 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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.
Destination
Gardiner, ME
Night in Gardiner on Sunday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Auburn, ME to Gardiner, ME covers 28.1 miles and takes about 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Maine Turnpike, Lewiston Road, Lisbon Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.1 miles from Auburn, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.50 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.1 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 202; ME 11; ME 100 / Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (ME 196 / Canal Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 22.8 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Auburn, ME to Gardiner, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Litchfield along the way.
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