The drive from Lincoln, ME to Auburn, ME covers 152.5 miles and takes about 2h 51m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, US 202, Route 202 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 117 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.55 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.3 miles from Lincoln, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 152.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 2h 51m highway drive covering 152.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and US 202. The longest continuous stretch is about 117 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 19 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 117 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and US 202. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near ME 116 / River Road.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Lincoln, ME to Auburn, ME is easy. At 2h 51m with 90% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (ME 116 / River Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
1.6 mi into trip|~2m in|ME 116 / River Road
Turn right onto ME 116 / River Road
Navigation decision point
4
5.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
3
6.1 mi into trip|~10m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining
6
123.1 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 202 West, ME 11 West, ME 17 West, ME 100 West: Winthrop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 109B
Toward US 202 West, ME 11 West, ME 17 West, ME...
3
123.3 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100 / Western Avenue
Turn right onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100 / Western Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
117 mi
2h 5m
US 202
12.8 mi
14m
Route 202
6.6 mi
7m
Main Street
4.9 mi
5m
Western Avenue
2.8 mi
3m
Access Road
2.7 mi
4m
West Broadway
1.6 mi
2m
US Route 202
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 117 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln, ME and Auburn, ME.
1
Start on US 2; ME 6
116 ft·9 sec·West Broadway
2
Continue on US 2; ME 6
1.6 mi·2 min·West Broadway
3
Turn right onto ME 116
1.3 mi·2 min·River Road
4
Continue on ME 116
2.7 mi·4 min·Access Road
5
Continue on Penobscot Valley Avenue
0.2 mi·24 sec·Penobscot Valley Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
7
Merge onto I 95
117 mi·2 hr 5 min·I 95
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 109BToward US 202 West, ME 11 West, ME 17 West, ME 100 West: Winthrop
9
Turn right onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
2.8 mi·3 min·Western Avenue
10
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
13 mi·14 min·US 202; ME 11; ME 100
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.9 mi·1 min·US Route 202
12
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
2.7 mi·3 min·Route 202
13
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.6 mi·42 sec·US Route 202
14
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
3.8 mi·4 min·Route 202
15
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
4.9 mi·5 min·Main Street
16
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.4 mi·39 sec·Court Street
17
Turn left onto US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100
0.1 mi·42 sec·Minot Avenue
18
Continue on US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100
456 ft·5 sec·Minot Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.3 miles from Lincoln, ME, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117 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 34 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.3 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, ME
This is one driving day of about 152.5 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Lincoln, 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 117 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.3 mi from Lincoln, ME
· 1h 25m 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.
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 121
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.8
0
$16.01
$7.32
Efficient EV
38.1
0
$13.34
$6.10
EV Truck/SUV
61
0
$21.35
$9.76
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lincoln, ME
Afternoon
in Lincoln on Friday
Local time
3:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auburn, ME
Afternoon
in Auburn on Friday
Local time
3:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Fairfield, ME
76 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
18 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
2h 51m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lincoln, ME to Auburn, ME covers 152.5 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, US 202, Route 202. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.3 miles from Lincoln, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.55 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Lincoln, ME to Auburn, ME is easy. At 2h 51m with 90% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (ME 116 / River Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from Lincoln, ME to Auburn, ME does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
