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Create accountDrive Time
21m
Distance
12.3 mi
20 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buxton, ME
Youngcucafilms
Saco, ME
César O'neill
If you are looking for a quick, straightforward transit in Maine, the 12.3-mile trip from Buxton to Saco is an efficient option. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 21 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day journey. Since the route requires zero highway driving, you will stay entirely on local roads, keeping your travel costs low at an estimated $2 in fuel. There is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics given the short distance. It is a practical, no-fuss connection within the Northeast region that gets you from point A to point B without any major travel stress.
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
6.2 miles from Buxton, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. You will navigate via Buxton Road, Narragansett Trail, and Beech Plains Road, which keeps the pace moderate rather than fast. With 0% highway share, this route avoids the monotony of interstate travel in favor of local pavement. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 5.1 miles on Buxton Road, so plan for frequent changes in direction throughout the trip. The road’s personality is defined by these transitions, requiring you to stay alert as you maneuver through the local landscape.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
50 ft
Total Descent
168 ft
Highest Point
233 ft
~3.5 mi in
Elevation Range
166 ft
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 202; ME 4 / Narragansett Trail.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Buxton, ME to Saco, ME is easy. At 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (US 202; ME 4 / Narragansett Trail): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (Beech Plains Road): Navigation decision point; at 12.3 miles (US 1 Alternate / Main Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 202; ME 4 / Narragansett Trail
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Beech Plains Road
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 1 Alternate / Main Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Buxton Road | 5.1 mi | 9m |
| Narragansett Trail | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Beech Plains Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Long Plains Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Buxton, ME and Saco, ME.
Start on Long Plains Road
Turn right onto US 202; ME 4
Turn left onto Beech Plains Road
Continue on ME 112
Continue on ME 112
Turn left onto US 1 Alternate
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short 21-minute excursion, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about complex rest stops or long-distance pacing, as the entire trip is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that because this route relies on local roads, traffic patterns can shift quickly, so check your GPS before you head out. Budgeting $2 for fuel is simple, but ensuring your tank is topped off before you leave Buxton is a smart way to avoid unnecessary errands. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning a direct, efficient drive that maximizes your time once you arrive in Saco.
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.
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 12.3 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.2 miles or 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saco, ME than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Buxton, 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 Buxton, ME
This is one driving day of about 12.3 miles and 21m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.2 mi from Buxton, ME · 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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.
A short stop after about 12.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 6.2 miles from Buxton, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Saco, 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 Saco, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$1.97 one way
$3.94 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $2.16 | $4.32 |
| premium | $4.83 | $2.34 | $4.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.73 | $5.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.29 | $0.59 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.08 | $0.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.72 | $0.79 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Buxton on Sunday
Local time
7:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Saco on Sunday
Local time
7:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Sunny
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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