Trip from Biddeford, ME to Damariscotta, ME

Drive Time

1h 36m

Distance

69.8 mi

112 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min

4 AM

1h 29m ★

6 AM

1h 37m

8 AM

1h 51m

10 AM

1h 42m

12 PM

1h 40m

3 PM

1h 43m

5 PM

1h 51m

8 PM

1h 32m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Biddeford, ME

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

Spanning 69.8 miles of Maine’s coastline, this drive from Biddeford to Damariscotta typically takes about 1 hour and 36 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily utilizes I-295, Route 1, and Mill Street to navigate through the Northeast region. It is a practical, efficient path for travelers looking to move between these two coastal Maine communities quickly. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the logistics are simple enough to manage in a single morning or afternoon.

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

34.9 miles from Biddeford, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 69% of your total mileage spent on high-speed roads. You will find your longest uninterrupted stretch on I-295, which covers 28.2 miles of the journey. As you progress from the interstate onto Route 1 and Mill Street, the character of the drive shifts from a fast-paced transit experience to more localized road conditions. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of the trip, though you should be prepared for the transition between major highway infrastructure and smaller thoroughfares as you approach Damariscotta. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that prioritizes efficiency over technical mountain driving or winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 295 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Route 1. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 1h 36m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.6 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward I 95 North: Portland

Navigation decision point

Toward I 95 North: Portland

11.6 mi into trip | ~14m 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

39.9 mi into trip | ~49m in

Take the exit toward US 1: Brunswick, Bath, Coastal Route

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 28 Toward US 1: Brunswick, Bath, Coastal Route

42.3 mi into trip | ~53m in | Mill Street

Turn left onto Mill Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

68.3 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in | US 1 BUS / Main Street

Take the exit onto US 1 BUS / Main Street toward US 1 BUS: Pemaquid Beach, Pemaquid, Damariscotta, Bristol

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 1 BUS: Pemaquid Beach, Pemaquid, Dama...

Towns Along This Route

Between Biddeford, ME and Damariscotta, ME, road signs point toward Portland, Bath and Coastal Route.

Portland

11.6 mi in | ~14m | via I 295

Bath

39.9 mi in | ~49m

Coastal Route

39.9 mi in | ~49m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 295	28.2 mi	34m
Route 1	11.3 mi	15m
Mill Street	9.2 mi	13m
Maine Turnpike	8.8 mi	9m
Bath Road	4 mi	7m
Main Street	3.9 mi	7m
North Street	1.4 mi	2m
Pleasant Street	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 295 — 28.2 mi, about 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Biddeford, ME and Damariscotta, ME.

Start on US 1 Alternate

0.9 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Turn left onto ME 112

162 ft · 5 sec · Beach Street

Continue on ME 5; ME 112

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Street

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 95 North: Portland

Merge onto I 95

8.8 mi · 9 min · Maine Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295

28 mi · 34 min · I 295

Exit 44 Toward Downtown Portland Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 28 Toward US 1: Brunswick, Bath, Coastal Route Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 1

1.2 mi · 2 min · Pleasant Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto Mill Street

9.2 mi · 13 min · Mill Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 1

1.0 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Continue on US 1

4.9 mi · 6 min · Route 1

Continue on US 1

4.0 mi · 7 min · Bath Road

Continue on US 1; ME 27

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Continue on US 1; ME 27

6.4 mi · 9 min · Route 1

Take the exit onto US 1 BUS

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Main Street

Toward US 1 BUS: Pemaquid Beach, Pemaquid, Damariscotta, Bristol

Continue on US 1 BUS

1.0 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Arrive at destination

US 1 BUS

Trip Plan

Since the total drive time is under two hours, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure schedule. We recommend checking traffic patterns on I-295 before you head out, as highway congestion can occasionally impact your travel time. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled in this 69.8-mile itinerary, feel free to pull over whenever you need a break rather than sticking to a rigid plan. Keep your $11 fuel budget in mind, and consider topping off your tank in Biddeford before you merge onto the interstate to avoid higher prices along the highway. Taking advantage of the short duration allows you to arrive in Damariscotta refreshed and ready for your next activity.

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 34.9 miles from Biddeford, ME, or about 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.2 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 69.8 miles or 1h 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 34.9 miles or 42m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Damariscotta, ME than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Biddeford, 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 Biddeford, ME

This is one driving day of about 69.8 miles and 1h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Biddeford, 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 I 295 for about 28.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 34.9 mi from Biddeford, ME · 42m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Scarborough, ME

35 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

West Scarborough, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lawrence, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 34.9 miles from Biddeford, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Damariscotta, ME

The final approach into Damariscotta, 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 Damariscotta, 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

$11.17 one way

$22.35 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.46	$12.25	$24.50
premium	$4.83	$13.27	$26.53
diesel	$5.64	$15.51	$31.01

Estimated Tolls: $0.53

Maine Turnpike (8.8 mi) $0.53

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

$11

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 24.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	20.9	$7.33	$3.35
Efficient EV	17.5	$6.11	$2.79
EV Truck/SUV	27.9	$9.77	$4.47

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Biddeford, ME

Evening in Biddeford on Sunday

Local time

7:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Damariscotta, ME

Evening in Damariscotta on Sunday

Local time

7:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°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

2 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 36m 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 Biddeford, ME to Damariscotta, ME covers 69.8 miles and takes about 1h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 295, Route 1, Mill 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 34.9 miles from Biddeford, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.17 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 is a straightforward 1h 36m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Between Biddeford, ME and Damariscotta, ME, road signs point toward Portland, Bath and Coastal Route.

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