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Trip from Caribou, ME to Brunswick, ME

Drive Time

5h 25m

Distance

277.1 mi

446 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 12m ★
6 AM
5h 25m
8 AM
5h 52m
10 AM
5h 34m
12 PM
5h 32m
3 PM
5h 36m
5 PM
5h 50m
8 PM
5h 17m

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 Caribou, ME, ME

Caribou, ME

Barnabas Davoti

Downtown Brunswick, ME, ME

Brunswick, ME

ᛟᛞᚨᛚᚹ ᚨᚱᚲᛟᚾᛊᚲᛁ

Trip Overview

The drive from Caribou, ME to Brunswick, ME covers 277.1 miles and takes about 5h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 95, I 295, Houlton Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 198.2 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.36 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

138.5 miles from Caribou, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 25m highway drive covering 277.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and I 295. The longest continuous stretch is about 198.2 miles on I 95.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 198.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 295. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business / Main Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 277.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.6 miles (US 1 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 252.7 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business / Main Street

Turn left onto ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business / Main Street

Navigation decision point

6
13.6 mi into trip | ~21m in | US 1 / Main Street

Turn right onto US 1 / Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
7
252.7 mi into trip | ~4h 53m in | I 295

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 103 Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Bru...
8
274.2 mi into trip | ~5h 17m in

Take the exit toward ME 196 East: Topsham, Brunswick

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 31A Toward ME 196 East: Topsham, Brunswick
6
277.1 mi into trip | ~5h 24m in | Pleasant Street

At end of road, turn right onto Pleasant Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 198.2 mi 3h 26m
I 295 21.6 mi 23m
Houlton Road 10.3 mi 14m
Route 1 9.1 mi 14m
Presque Isle Road 7.7 mi 11m
Main Road 6.7 mi 10m
North Road 5.8 mi 8m
Caribou Road 5.1 mi 7m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 198.2 mi, about 3h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Caribou, ME and Brunswick, ME.

1

Start on this road

43 ft · 9 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business

101 ft · 2 sec · Main Street
3

Turn slight left onto ME 161B; ME 164

477 ft · 10 sec · Herschel Street
4

Turn left onto Record Street

471 ft · 14 sec · Record Street
5

Turn left onto ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business

381 ft · 7 sec · Washburn Street
6

Turn right onto ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Main Street
7

Turn slight left onto Lyndon Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Lyndon Street
8

Turn right onto US 1; ME 161

5.7 mi · 8 min · Presque Isle Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Continue on US 1

5.1 mi · 7 min · Caribou Road
10

Continue on US 1

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Main Street
11

Turn right onto ME 163

0.7 mi · 1 min · Connector Road
12

Continue on ME 163

0.2 mi · 18 sec · State Road
13

Continue on ME 163; ME 227

0.8 mi · 1 min · Parsons Street
14

Turn left onto ME 227

0.2 mi · 21 sec · State Street
15

Turn right onto US 1

1.3 mi · 3 min · Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
16

Continue on US 1

10 mi · 14 min · Houlton Road
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on US 1

2.0 mi · 3 min · Presque Isle Road
18

Continue on US 1

0.7 mi · 2 min · Benjamin Street
19

At end of road, turn right onto US 1

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
20

Continue on US 1

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Military Road
21

Continue on US 1

2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1
22

Continue on US 1

6.7 mi · 10 min · Main Road
23

Continue on US 1

6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
24

Continue on US 1

0.7 mi · 54 sec · US Highway 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
25

Continue on US 1

5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
Use the straight lane.
26

Continue on US 1

3.1 mi · 5 min · North Street
27

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
28

Merge onto I 95

198 mi · 3 hr 26 min · I 95
29

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295

22 mi · 23 min · I 295
Exit 103 Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
30

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 51 sec
Exit 31A Toward ME 196 East: Topsham, Brunswick Use the slight right lane.
31

Merge onto ME 196

0.6 mi · 1 min · Lewiston Road
Use the straight lane.
32

Continue on ME 196

385 ft · 9 sec · Route 196
33

Turn right onto US 201

1.2 mi · 3 min · Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34

Continue on US 201; ME 24 Business

0.5 mi · 1 min · Maine Street
Use the straight lane.
35

Turn right

201 ft · 17 sec
36

At end of road, turn right onto Pleasant Street

30 ft · 1 sec · Pleasant Street
37

Arrive at destination

Pleasant Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 138.5 miles from Caribou, ME, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.2 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 80 miles or 1h 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 138.5 miles or 2h 54m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 26m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Caribou, 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 Caribou, ME

This is one driving day of about 277.1 miles and 5h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Caribou, 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 I 95 for about 198.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 138.5 mi from Caribou, ME · 2h 54m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lincoln, ME

139 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

Houlton, ME

Fuel and coffee

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

Greenbush, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 138.5 miles from Caribou, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.2 miles.

Arriving in Brunswick, ME

The final approach into Brunswick, 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 Brunswick, 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 ~41 min detour Free near mile 95.5
Park Closure: Loop Road and North Entrance Seasonal Closures
Park Closure: Katahdin Overlook Construction Closure
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 258
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.36 one way

$88.72 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $48.62 $97.25
premium $4.83 $52.67 $105.34
diesel $5.64 $61.56 $123.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 97 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.1 1 $29.10 $13.30
Efficient EV 69.3 0 $24.25 $11.08
EV Truck/SUV 110.8 1 $38.79 $17.73

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

32 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 data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Caribou, ME

Evening in Caribou on Sunday

Local time

7:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Sunny

NW 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Brunswick, ME

Evening in Brunswick on Sunday

Local time

7:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Mostly Sunny

W 5 to 10 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Along the Route

42°F

Lincoln, ME

139 mi in

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

6 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

5h 25m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Caribou, ME to Brunswick, ME covers 277.1 miles and takes about 5h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, 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 138.5 miles from Caribou, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.36 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 277.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 (ME 161B; ME 164; US 1 Business / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.6 miles (US 1 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 252.7 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Caribou, ME to Brunswick, ME does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Brunswick, ME to Caribou, ME

Plan the drive back the other way.

276.4 mi 5h 23m

Continue From Brunswick, ME

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