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Trip from Portland, ME to Caribou, ME

Drive Time

5h 48m

Distance

300.1 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 35m ★
6 AM
5h 48m
8 AM
6h 15m
10 AM
5h 58m
12 PM
5h 55m
3 PM
5h 59m
5 PM
6h 13m
8 PM
5h 40m

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 Portland, ME, ME

Portland, ME

Brett Sayles

Downtown Caribou, ME, ME

Caribou, ME

Barnabas Davoti

Trip Overview

The drive from Portland, ME to Caribou, ME covers 300.1 miles and takes about 5h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Maine Turnpike, I 295, Houlton Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 198.3 miles on Maine Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.04 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

150.1 miles from Portland, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 48m highway drive covering 300.1 miles, with most of the trip on Maine Turnpike and I 295. The longest continuous stretch is about 198.3 miles on Maine Turnpike.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Maine Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 198.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and I 295. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Elm Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 300.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Cumberland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 1A / Franklin Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Elm Street

Turn left onto Elm Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Cumberland Avenue

Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 1A / Franklin Street

Turn left onto US 1A / Franklin Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
245.7 mi into trip | ~4h 21m in

Take the exit toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle

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

Exit 302 Toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
6
286.7 mi into trip | ~5h 27m in | State Street

Turn left onto State Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Towns Along This Route

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

Presque Isle

245.7 mi in | ~4h 21m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Maine Turnpike 198.3 mi 3h 26m
I 295 46.3 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: Maine Turnpike — 198.3 mi, about 3h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Congress Street

131 ft · 11 sec · Congress Street
2

Turn left onto Elm Street

519 ft · 22 sec · Elm Street
Use the left lane.
3

Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Cumberland Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Turn left onto US 1A

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp onto US 1A

0.3 mi · 39 sec · US 1A
6

Merge onto I 295; US 1

46 mi · 52 min · I 295; US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 95

198 mi · 3 hr 26 min · Maine Turnpike
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 302 Toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
9

Turn left onto US 1

3.2 mi · 5 min · North Street
Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on US 1

5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
11

Continue on US 1

0.7 mi · 54 sec · US Highway 1
12

Continue on US 1

6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
13

Continue on US 1

6.7 mi · 10 min · Main Road
14

Continue on US 1

2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1
15

Continue on US 1

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Military Road
16

Continue on US 1

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
17

Turn left onto US 1

0.7 mi · 2 min · Benjamin Street
18

Continue on US 1

2.0 mi · 3 min · Presque Isle Road
19

Continue on US 1

10 mi · 14 min · Houlton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Continue on US 1

1.3 mi · 3 min · Main Street
Use the straight lane.
21

Turn left onto State Street

0.2 mi · 19 sec · State Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
22

Turn right onto ME 163; ME 227

0.8 mi · 1 min · Parsons Street
23

Continue on ME 163; ME 227

0.2 mi · 17 sec · State Road
24

Continue on ME 163

0.7 mi · 1 min · Connector Road
25

Turn left onto US 1

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Main Street
Use the left lane.
26

Continue on US 1

5.1 mi · 7 min · Caribou Road
27

Continue on US 1

5.7 mi · 8 min · Presque Isle Road
28

Turn left onto Lyndon Street

0.3 mi · 37 sec · Lyndon Street
29

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

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Main Street
30

Turn left

43 ft · 3 sec
31

Arrive at destination

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 150.1 miles from Portland, ME, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.3 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 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 150.1 miles or 2h 42m 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 22m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Portland, 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 Portland, ME

This is one driving day of about 300.1 miles and 5h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Portland, 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 Maine Turnpike for about 198.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 150.1 mi from Portland, ME · 2h 42m 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

Brunswick, 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 150.1 miles from Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Maine Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.3 miles.

Arriving in Caribou, ME

The final approach into Caribou, 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 Caribou, 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 ~39 min detour Free near mile 207
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 41.4
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.04 one way

$96.08 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $52.66 $105.32
premium $4.83 $57.04 $114.09
diesel $5.64 $66.67 $133.34

Estimated Tolls: $11.90

Maine Turnpike (198.3 mi) $11.90

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

$48

Tolls

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 105 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 $31.51 $14.40
Efficient EV 75 0 $26.26 $12.00
EV Truck/SUV 120 1 $42.01 $19.21

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

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

Destination

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

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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 48m 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 Portland, ME to Caribou, ME covers 300.1 miles and takes about 5h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Maine Turnpike, 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 150.1 miles from Portland, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.04 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 300.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Cumberland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 1A / Franklin Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Portland, ME to Caribou, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Presque Isle along the way.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Caribou, ME to Portland, ME

Plan the drive back the other way.

300.4 mi 5h 49m

Continue From Caribou, ME

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