How far is Caribou, ME from South Portland, ME?
The driving distance from Caribou, ME to South Portland, ME is about 303.3 miles (488.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 247.4 miles (398.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 39m 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 04h 49m.
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 Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Caribou and South Portland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Caribou and South Portland.
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1
Start on the route
13 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
31 m · 2 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn slight left onto Herschel Street
145 m · 11 sec · Herschel Street
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4
Turn left onto Record Street
144 m · 14 sec · Record Street
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5
Turn left onto Washburn Street
116 m · 8 sec · Washburn Street
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6
Turn right onto Main Street
617 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
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7
Turn slight left onto Lyndon Street
1364 ft · 40 sec · Lyndon Street
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8
Turn right onto Presque Isle Road
5.7 mi · 8 min · Presque Isle Road
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9
Continue on Caribou Road
5.1 mi · 7 min · Caribou Road
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10
Continue on Main Street
1607 ft · 48 sec · Main Street
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11
Turn right onto Connector Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Connector Road
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12
Continue on State Road
1078 ft · 18 sec · State Road
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13
Continue on Parsons Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Parsons Street
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14
Turn left onto State Street
1051 ft · 22 sec · State Street
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15
Turn right onto Main Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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16
Continue on Houlton Road
10.3 mi · 14 min · Houlton Road
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17
Continue on Presque Isle Road
2 mi · 3 min · Presque Isle Road
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18
Continue on Benjamin Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Benjamin Street
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto Main Street
2412 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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20
Continue on Military Road
1649 ft · 40 sec · Military Road
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21
Continue on Route 1
2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1
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22
Continue on Main Road
6.7 mi · 11 min · Main Road
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23
Continue on Route 1
6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1
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24
Continue on US Highway 1
1.1 km · 55 sec · US Highway 1
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25
Continue on North Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
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26
Continue on North Street
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Street
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27
Take the exit right
1588 ft · 39 sec
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28
Merge slight left
198.2 mi · 3 hr 27 min
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29
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
46.5 mi · 53 min
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30
Take the exit slight right toward US 1A
2130 ft · 1 min
-
31
Turn right onto Marginal Way
2795 ft · 1 min · Marginal Way
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32
Continue on State Street
1.6 km · 2 min · State Street
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33
Continue on Casco Bay Bridge
1.1 mi · 2 min · Casco Bay Bridge
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34
Continue on Broadway
1.6 km · 2 min · Broadway
-
35
Turn sharp right onto Pine Street
18 m · 3 sec · Pine Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Caribou and South Portland.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
North Street
Merge slight left
198 mi · 03h 27m
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.
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Caribou and Mostly Clear near South Portland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Caribou to South Portland?
The road trip is about 303.3 miles (488.1 km) and usually takes 04h 49m 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?
Greenbush is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.5 miles from Caribou and 151.8 miles from South Portland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 247.4 miles (398.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.9 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 7:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.21 one way or $84.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny around Caribou and Mostly Clear near South Portland.
Stop Ideas Near Greenbush
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 Greenbush.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Caribou and South Portland. Straight-line distance: 247.41 mi (398.17 km).
#1 Caribou
City in Maine
| Population | 7,622 |
| Coordinates | 46.8606000, -68.0119700 |
| Altitude | 137 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Portland
City in Cumberland County, Maine, USA
| Population | 25,950 |
| Coordinates | 43.6414700, -70.2408800 |
| Altitude | 7 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pine Street (-70.240981, 43.641461)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 488 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $42.21 | $84.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $47.69 | $95.38 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $51.98 | $103.96 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $64.17 | $128.34 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.