How far is Bangor, ME from Caribou, ME?

The driving distance from Bangor, ME to Caribou, ME is about 172.5 miles (277.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 147 miles (236.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
172.49 mi
03h 28m
Flight
146.99 mi
236.56 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bangor.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
146.99 mi
Kilometers
236.56 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
172.49 mi
Kilometers
277.59 km
Drive Time
03h 28m

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 03h 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Caribou
Thu, Apr 23, 8:14 AM EDT
Return by in Bangor
Thu, Apr 23, 11:42 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bangor
2026-04-23T04:46
Arrive Caribou
Thu, Apr 23, 8:14 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:28 AM to 11:28 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:04 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bangor
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Crystal
ME

Town in Maine, United States

From Bangor
86.2 mi
01h 44m
To Caribou
86.2 mi
01h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Thursday

Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph NW
Destination
47°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Light Snow then Chance Light Rain

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bangor and Caribou.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bangor and Caribou.

  1. 1

    Start on Hammond Street

    22 m · 12 sec · Hammond Street

  2. 2

    Turn sharp left onto Union Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · Union Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    1049 ft · 27 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    116.9 mi · 1 hr 58 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle

    1444 ft · 43 sec

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Street

    3.2 mi · 6 min · North Street

  7. 7

    Continue on North Road

    5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road

  8. 8

    Continue on US Highway 1

    1.1 km · 55 sec · US Highway 1

  9. 9

    Continue on Route 1

    6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1

  10. 10

    Continue on Main Road

    6.7 mi · 11 min · Main Road

  11. 11

    Continue on Route 1

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1

  12. 12

    Continue on Military Road

    1649 ft · 40 sec · Military Road

  13. 13

    Continue on Main Street

    2412 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Benjamin Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Benjamin Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Presque Isle Road

    2 mi · 3 min · Presque Isle Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Houlton Road

    10.3 mi · 14 min · Houlton Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Main Street

    1.3 mi · 4 min · Main Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto State Street

    1051 ft · 20 sec · State Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Parsons Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Parsons Street

  20. 20

    Continue on State Road

    1014 ft · 17 sec · State Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Connector Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Connector Road

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1778 ft · 54 sec · Main Street

  23. 23

    Continue on Caribou Road

    5.1 mi · 7 min · Caribou Road

  24. 24

    Continue on Presque Isle Road

    5.7 mi · 8 min · Presque Isle Road

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Lyndon Street

    1364 ft · 38 sec · Lyndon Street

  26. 26

    Turn slight right onto Main Street

    905 ft · 23 sec · Main Street

  27. 27

    Turn left

    13 m · 3 sec

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bangor and Caribou.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
28 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Union Street
118 mi · 68%
Houlton Road
10.3 mi · 6%
Route 1
9.15 mi · 5%
Presque Isle Road
7.68 mi · 4%
Main Road
6.74 mi · 4%
North Road
5.84 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Union Street

Merge slight left

117 mi · 01h 58m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 28m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.5 mi
147 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Crystal
01h 44m from Bangor
Leave By
10:04 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Snow Showers leaving Bangor and Slight Chance Light Snow then Chance Light Rain near Caribou.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bangor to Caribou?

The road trip is about 172.5 miles (277.6 km) and usually takes 03h 28m 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?

Crystal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.2 miles from Bangor and 86.2 miles from Caribou.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 147 miles (236.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.5 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 10:04 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.03 one way or $48.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Bangor and Slight Chance Light Snow then Chance Light Rain near Caribou.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bangor and Caribou. Straight-line distance: 146.99 mi (236.56 km).

Bangor

#1 Bangor

City in Penobscot County, Maine, USA

Population31,998
Coordinates44.8011800, -68.7778100
Altitude36
CountryUnited States
Caribou

#2 Caribou

City in Maine

Population7,622
Coordinates46.8606000, -68.0119700
Altitude137
CountryUnited States
Start: Bangor (-68.77781, 44.80118)
End: Caribou (-68.01197, 46.8606)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 278 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.09 gal
23.04 L · about $24.03
Round trip
$48.05
12.18 gal · 46.08 L
Estimated CO2
54.1 kg one way
Round trip: 108.2 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $24.03 $48.05
Mid-grade $4.46 $27.14 $54.29
Premium $4.86 $29.59 $59.17
Diesel $6.00 $36.52 $73.04

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Bangor and Caribou. The current time is 04:46:25.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.