How far is Auburn, ME from Caribou, ME?
The driving distance from Auburn, ME to Caribou, ME is about 278.4 miles (448 km), with a travel time of about 05h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 219 miles (352.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 22m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Penobscot County, Maine, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Auburn and Caribou.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn and Caribou.
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1
Start on Minot Avenue
12 m · 5 sec · Minot Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Court Street
2156 ft · 37 sec · Court Street
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3
Continue on Main Street
1367 ft · 28 sec · Main Street
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4
Turn sharp right onto Canal Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Canal Street
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5
Merge slight left onto Lisbon Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Lisbon Street
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6
Take the exit slight right
1247 ft · 34 sec
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7
Turn straight onto Alfred A Plourde Parkway
971 ft · 19 sec · Alfred A Plourde Parkway
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8
Take the ramp left
1440 ft · 35 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
19.2 mi · 21 min · Maine Turnpike
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Maine Turnpike
201.1 mi · 3 hr 30 min · Maine Turnpike
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
1444 ft · 43 sec
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12
Turn left onto North Street
3.2 mi · 6 min · North Street
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13
Continue on North Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
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14
Continue on US Highway 1
1.1 km · 55 sec · US Highway 1
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15
Continue on Route 1
6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1
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16
Continue on Main Road
6.7 mi · 11 min · Main Road
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17
Continue on Route 1
2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1
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18
Continue on Military Road
1649 ft · 40 sec · Military Road
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19
Continue on Main Street
2412 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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20
Turn left onto Benjamin Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Benjamin Street
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21
Continue on Presque Isle Road
2 mi · 3 min · Presque Isle Road
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22
Continue on Houlton Road
10.3 mi · 14 min · Houlton Road
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23
Continue on Main Street
1.3 mi · 4 min · Main Street
-
24
Turn left onto State Street
1051 ft · 20 sec · State Street
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25
Turn right onto Parsons Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Parsons Street
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26
Continue on State Road
1014 ft · 17 sec · State Road
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27
Continue on Connector Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Connector Road
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28
Turn left onto Main Street
1778 ft · 54 sec · Main Street
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29
Continue on Caribou Road
5.1 mi · 7 min · Caribou Road
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30
Continue on Presque Isle Road
5.7 mi · 8 min · Presque Isle Road
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31
Turn left onto Lyndon Street
1364 ft · 38 sec · Lyndon Street
-
32
Turn slight right onto Main Street
905 ft · 23 sec · Main Street
-
33
Turn left
13 m · 3 sec
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Auburn and Caribou.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Maine Turnpike
Keep slight left to continue on Maine Turnpike
201 mi · 03h 30m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Auburn and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Caribou.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Auburn to Caribou?
The road trip is about 278.4 miles (448 km) and usually takes 05h 22m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Howland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.1 miles from Auburn and 139.3 miles from Caribou.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 219 miles (352.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:14 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.74 one way or $77.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Auburn and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Caribou.
Stop Ideas Near Howland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Howland.
Orono (University of Maine), Maine
Bangor, Maine
Searsport, Maine
Belfast, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Auburn and Caribou. Straight-line distance: 219.06 mi (352.54 km).
#1 Auburn
City in Maine, USA
| Population | 23,410 |
| Coordinates | 44.0978500, -70.2311700 |
| Altitude | 58 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Caribou
City in Maine
| Population | 7,622 |
| Coordinates | 46.8606000, -68.0119700 |
| Altitude | 137 |
| Country | United States |
End: Caribou (-68.01197, 46.8606)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 448 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $38.74 | $77.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $43.77 | $87.54 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $47.71 | $95.41 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $58.89 | $117.78 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Maine · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.