The drive from Fort Fairfield, ME to Biddeford, ME covers 308 miles and takes about 5h 55m 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 $49.58 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
154 miles from Fort Fairfield, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 55m. Total distance: 308 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 55m highway drive covering 308 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 27 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. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ME 161 / Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 308 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ME 161 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 243.9 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 304.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|ME 161 / Main Street
Turn left onto ME 161 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
9
243.9 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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...
6
304.3 mi into trip|~5h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 195 East: Saco, Old Orchard Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 36
Toward I 195 East: Saco, Old Orchard Beach
7
304.5 mi into trip|~5h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 35
Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
8
305.2 mi into trip|~5h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 35
Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fort Fairfield, ME to Biddeford, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Brunswick
243.9 mi in|~4h 37m|via I 295
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
198.2 mi
3h 26m
I 295
53.2 mi
1h 2m
Houlton Road
12 mi
17m
Route 1
9.1 mi
14m
Maine Turnpike
7.3 mi
7m
Main Road
6.7 mi
10m
North Road
5.8 mi
8m
Fort Road
5.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 198.2 mi, about 3h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Fairfield, ME and Biddeford, ME.
1
Start on Elm Street
53 ft·6 sec·Elm Street
2
Turn left onto ME 161
413 ft·9 sec·Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 1A; 167
1.0 mi·1 min·Presque Isle Street
4
Continue on US 1A
12 mi·17 min·Houlton Road
5
Continue on US 1A
5.8 mi·8 min·Fort Road
6
Continue on US 1A
0.1 mi·9 sec·Bridge Street
7
Continue on US 1A
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
8
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·40 sec·Military Road
9
Continue on US 1
2.7 mi·4 min·Route 1
10
Continue on US 1
6.7 mi·10 min·Main Road
11
Continue on US 1
6.4 mi·10 min·Route 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on US 1
0.7 mi·54 sec·US Highway 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Continue on US 1
5.8 mi·8 min·North Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 1
3.1 mi·5 min·North Street
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
16
Merge onto I 95
198 mi·3 hr 26 min·I 95
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
51 mi·58 min·I 295
Exit 103Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, BrunswickUse the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
2.6 mi·3 min·I 295
19
Merge onto I 95
7.3 mi·7 min·Maine Turnpike
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 36Toward I 195 East: Saco, Old Orchard Beach
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 35Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
22
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·18 sec·this road
Exit 35Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 35Toward RT-112 Buxton Rd: Saco, Buxton
24
Turn left onto ME 112
212 ft·4 sec·Buxton Road
25
Continue on ME 112
1.7 mi·3 min·North Street
26
Turn right onto ME 9; US 1 Alternate
0.9 mi·1 min·Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 1 Alternate
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 154 miles from Fort Fairfield, ME, or about 3h 4m 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 68 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154 miles or 3h 4m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Biddeford, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Fairfield, 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 Fort Fairfield, ME
This is one driving day of about 308 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Fort Fairfield, 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 154 mi from Fort Fairfield, ME
· 3h 4m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 85
Park Closure: Loop Road and North Entrance Seasonal Closures
Park Closure: Katahdin Overlook Construction Closure
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 254.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.58 one way
$99.17 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$54.55
$109.11
premium
$4.86
$58.98
$117.96
diesel
$5.61
$68.00
$136.01
Estimated Tolls: $0.44
Maine Turnpike
(7.3 mi)$0.44
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
$50
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.4
1
$32.34
$14.78
Efficient EV
77
0
$26.95
$12.32
EV Truck/SUV
123.2
1
$43.12
$19.71
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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 as of Dec 19, 2023
Origin
Fort Fairfield, ME
Afternoon
in Fort Fairfield on Friday
Local time
4:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
28°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Biddeford, ME
Afternoon
in Biddeford on Friday
Local time
4:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Hampden, ME
154 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
25 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 55m 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 Fort Fairfield, ME to Biddeford, ME covers 308 miles and takes about 5h 55m 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 154 miles from Fort Fairfield, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.58 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 is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 308 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ME 161 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 243.9 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 304.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Fort Fairfield, ME to Biddeford, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and Frances Perkins National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
