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Trip from Caribou, ME to Portland, ME

Drive Time

5h 49m

Distance

300.4 mi

483 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 36m ★
6 AM
5h 49m
8 AM
6h 16m
10 AM
5h 59m
12 PM
5h 56m
3 PM
6h 0m
5 PM
6h 14m
8 PM
5h 42m

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 Portland, ME, ME

Portland, ME

Brett Sayles

Trip Overview

The drive from Caribou, ME to Portland, ME covers 300.4 miles and takes about 5h 49m 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 $48.09 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

150.2 miles from Caribou, ME

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

Drive Character

This is a 5h 49m highway drive covering 300.4 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 34 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

640 ft 78 ft

Total Climb

390 ft

Total Descent

759 ft

Highest Point

640 ft

~64.4 mi in

Elevation Range

562 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 295. You will hit about 14 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 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 300.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.7 miles (US 1; ME 161 / Presque Isle Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles (US 1 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 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

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 1; ME 161 / Presque Isle Road

Turn right onto US 1; ME 161 / Presque Isle Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
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.
9
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. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Exit 103 Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Bru...
7
299.1 mi into trip | ~5h 46m in | US 1A

Take the exit onto US 1A toward US 1A

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 7 Toward US 1A

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Caribou, ME to Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.

Brunswick

252.7 mi in | ~4h 53m | via I 295

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 198.2 mi 3h 26m
I 295 46.5 mi 52m
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 Portland, 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

46 mi · 52 min · I 295
Exit 103 Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick Use the straight lane.
30

Take the exit onto US 1A

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 1A
Exit 7 Toward US 1A Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Cumberland Avenue
Use the straight lane.
32

Turn left onto Preble Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Preble Street
33

Turn left onto Congress Street

156 ft · 5 sec · Congress Street
34

Arrive at destination

Congress 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 150.2 miles from Caribou, ME, or about 3h 6m 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 150.2 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 4h 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portland, 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 300.4 miles and 5h 49m.

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 150.2 mi from Caribou, ME · 3h 6m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greenbush, ME

150 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.

Brunswick, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 150.2 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 Portland, ME

The final approach into Portland, 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 Portland, 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...

15 mi from route ~39 min detour Free near mile 93.2
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 ~42 min detour Free near mile 258.9
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.09 one way

$96.18 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $52.71 $105.42
premium $4.83 $57.10 $114.20
diesel $5.64 $66.74 $133.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 90.1 1 $31.54 $14.42
Efficient EV 75.1 0 $26.28 $12.02
EV Truck/SUV 120.2 1 $42.06 $19.23

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 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 1 hour ago

Origin

Caribou, ME

Afternoon in Caribou on Sunday

Local time

4:40 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Sunny

NW 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Portland, ME

Afternoon in Portland on Sunday

Local time

4:40 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 10 mph 7% chance 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

5h 49m 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 Portland, ME covers 300.4 miles and takes about 5h 49m 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 150.2 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 $48.09 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 300.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.7 miles (US 1; ME 161 / Presque Isle Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles (US 1 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Caribou, ME to Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Portland, ME to Caribou, ME

Plan the drive back the other way.

300.1 mi 5h 48m

Continue From Portland, ME

Calais, ME 224.1 mi · 4h 34m Addison, ME 183.8 mi · 3h 58m Bar Harbor, ME 161.7 mi · 3h 25m Surry, ME 138.7 mi · 2h 53m

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