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Trip from Biddeford, ME to Van Buren, ME

Drive Time

6h 41m

Distance

339.4 mi

546 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 30m ★
6 AM
6h 42m
8 AM
7h 6m
10 AM
6h 50m
12 PM
6h 48m
3 PM
6h 51m
5 PM
7h 4m
8 PM
6h 34m

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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Downtown Biddeford, ME, ME

Biddeford, ME

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

The drive from Biddeford, ME to Van Buren, ME covers 339.4 miles and takes about 6h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Maine Turnpike, I 295, Houlton Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 207.1 miles on Maine Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.33 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

169.7 miles from Biddeford, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 41m highway drive covering 339.4 miles, with most of the trip on Maine Turnpike and I 295. The longest continuous stretch is about 207.1 miles on Maine Turnpike.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 207.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and I 295. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 339.4 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.6 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 262.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

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

4
2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward I 95 North: Portland

Navigation decision point

Toward I 95 North: Portland
8
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
6
262.4 mi into trip | ~4h 42m in

Take the exit toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle

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

Exit 302 Toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
4
262.7 mi into trip | ~4h 43m in | US 1 / North Street

Turn left onto US 1 / North Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
4
339.4 mi into trip | ~6h 41m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Biddeford, ME to Van Buren, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Presque Isle along the way.

Presque Isle

262.4 mi in | ~4h 42m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Maine Turnpike 207.1 mi 3h 36m
I 295 52.5 mi 1h 1m
Houlton Road 12 mi 17m
Van Buren Road 11.4 mi 16m
Hamlin Road 9.2 mi 15m
Route 1 9.1 mi 14m
Limestone Road 8.4 mi 12m
Main Road 6.7 mi 10m
Longest stretch: Maine Turnpike — 207.1 mi, about 3h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Main Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · Main Street
2

Turn left onto Beach Street

161 ft · 5 sec · Beach Street
3

Continue on North Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Street
4

Take the ramp left toward I 95 North: Portland

0.6 mi · 1 min · I 95 North: Portland
5

Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

8.8 mi · 9 min · Maine Turnpike
6

Keep slight right to continue on Downtown Portland

52 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Downtown Portland
7

Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

198 mi · 3 hr 26 min · Maine Turnpike
8

Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle

0.3 mi · 43 sec · US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
9

Turn left onto North Street

3.2 mi · 5 min · North Street
10

Continue on North Road

5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
11

Continue on US Highway 1

0.7 mi · 55 sec · US Highway 1
12

Continue on Route 1

6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1
13

Continue on Main Road

6.7 mi · 10 min · Main Road
14

Continue on Route 1

2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1
15

Continue on Military Road

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Military Road
16

Continue on Main Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street
17

Turn straight onto Bridge Street

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Bridge Street
18

Continue on Fort Street

5.8 mi · 8 min · Fort Street
19

Continue on Houlton Road

12 mi · 17 min · Houlton Road
20

Continue on Presque Isle Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · Presque Isle Street
21

Continue on Bridge Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Bridge Street
22

Continue on Limestone Road

8.4 mi · 12 min · Limestone Road
23

Continue on Fort Fairfield Road

1.2 mi · 1 min · Fort Fairfield Road
24

Continue on Main Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · Main Street
25

Continue on Van Buren Road

11 mi · 16 min · Van Buren Road
26

Continue on Hamlin Road

9.2 mi · 15 min · Hamlin Road
27

Turn right

62 ft · 5 sec
28

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.7 miles from Biddeford, ME, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 207.1 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 169.7 miles or 3h 6m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Van Buren, 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 339.4 miles and 6h 41m.

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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Maine Turnpike for about 207.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 169.7 mi from Biddeford, ME · 3h 6m into the drive

Downtown Greenbush, ME, ME

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greenbush, ME

170 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

Brunswick, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brunswick, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 169.7 miles from Biddeford, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Maine Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 207.1 miles.

Arriving in Van Buren, ME

The final approach into Van Buren, 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 Van Buren, ME.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

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...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free near mile 222.4
View on nps.gov
Frances Perkins National Monument

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 ~43 min detour Free near mile 58.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.33 one way

$108.66 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 119 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $59.56 $119.11
premium $4.83 $64.51 $129.03
diesel $5.64 $75.40 $150.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$54

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 118.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 101.8 1 $35.64 $16.29
Efficient EV 84.9 0 $29.70 $13.58
EV Truck/SUV 135.8 1 $47.52 $21.72

Gas CO2

119 kg

EV CO2

40 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Biddeford, ME

Late night in Biddeford on Monday

Local time

5:07 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Van Buren, ME

Late night in Van Buren on Monday

Local time

5:07 AM

EDT

Current temp

32°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

30 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

6h 41m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Biddeford, ME to Van Buren, ME covers 339.4 miles and takes about 6h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Maine Turnpike, I 295, Houlton Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 169.7 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 $54.33 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 339.4 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.6 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 262.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Biddeford, ME to Van Buren, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Presque Isle along the way.

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