Origin
Waterville, ME
Evening in Waterville on Thursday
Local time
5:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waterville, ME to Poland, ME
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
65 mi
105 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waterville, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Waterville, ME to Poland, ME covers 65 miles and takes about 1h 19m 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 95, Maine Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27.4 miles on Maine Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.46 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 65 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 19m highway drive covering 65 miles, with most of the trip on Maine Turnpike and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 27.4 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 18 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 27.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and I 95. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ME 11; ME 104 / Elm Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65 miles you will encounter 9 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 11; ME 104 / Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.3 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.9 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
ME 11; ME 104 / Elm Street
Turn left onto ME 11; ME 104 / Elm Street
Navigation decision point
6
27.3 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Maine Turnpike toward I 95 South: Lewiston, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 South: Lewiston, Portland
4
29.9 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
56.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
Poland Spring Road
Turn right onto Poland Spring Road
Navigation decision point
4
56.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
Poland Spring Road
At end of road, turn left onto Poland Spring Road
Navigation decision point
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 Waterville, ME to Poland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Portland along the way.
Portland
27.3 mi in
|
~33m
|
via I 95
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Turnpike | 27.4 mi | 29m |
| I 95 | 24.2 mi | 26m |
| Maine Street | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Spring Water Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Kennedy Memorial Drive | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Poland Spring Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Ricker Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Washington Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 27.4 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterville, ME and Poland, ME.
1
Start on Post Office Square
42 ft
·
7 sec
·
Post Office Square
2
Turn left onto ME 11; ME 104
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
3
Turn slight right onto ME 11; ME 104; ME 137 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Silver Street
4
Continue on ME 11; ME 104; ME 137
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Kennedy Memorial Drive
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
6
Merge onto I 95
24 mi
·
26 min
·
I 95
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Maine Turnpike
Toward I 95 South: Lewiston, Portland
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
25 mi
·
26 min
·
Maine Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
10
Turn straight
274 ft
·
6 sec
11
Turn straight onto US 202; ME 4
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
12
Turn right onto Poland Spring Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Poland Spring Road
13
At end of road, turn left onto Poland Spring Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Poland Spring Road
14
Continue on Ricker Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Ricker Road
15
Continue on Spring Water Road
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Spring Water Road
16
Turn sharp right onto ME 26
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Maine Street
17
Turn left onto White Oak Hill Road
76 ft
·
2 sec
·
White Oak Hill Road
18
Arrive at destination
White Oak Hill Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.5 mi from Waterville, ME · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.5 miles from Waterville, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Poland, ME
The final approach into Poland, ME usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.46 one way
$20.93 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $11.51 | $23.03 |
| premium | $4.86 | $12.45 | $24.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.35 | $28.70 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.64
Maine Turnpike
(27.4 mi)
$1.64
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$2
Total
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.82 | $3.12 |
| Efficient EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.69 | $2.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26 | 0 | $9.10 | $4.16 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Poland, ME
Evening in Poland on Thursday
Local time
5:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
7 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
1h 19m 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 Waterville, ME to Poland, ME covers 65 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Maine Turnpike, I 95, Maine Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.5 miles from Waterville, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.46 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65 miles you will encounter 9 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 11; ME 104 / Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.3 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.9 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Waterville, ME to Poland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Portland along the way.
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