How far is Caribou, ME from Waterville, ME?
The driving distance from Caribou, ME to Waterville, ME is about 226.6 miles (364.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 177.6 miles (285.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 25m 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 03h 42m.
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.
Human settlement in Penobscot County, Maine, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Caribou and Waterville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Caribou and Waterville.
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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
-
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
-
24
Continue on US Highway 1
1.1 km · 55 sec · US Highway 1
-
25
Continue on North Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
-
26
Continue on North Street
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Street
-
27
Take the exit right
1588 ft · 39 sec
-
28
Merge slight left
170.7 mi · 2 hr 57 min
-
29
Take the exit slight right toward ME 104: Waterville, Winslow
1276 ft · 45 sec
-
30
Turn left onto Main Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Main Street
-
31
Turn left onto Chaplin Street
988 ft · 18 sec · Chaplin Street
-
32
Turn right onto College Avenue
110 m · 10 sec · College Avenue
-
33
Continue on College Avenue
1512 ft · 28 sec · College Avenue
-
34
Continue on Elm Street
110 m · 18 sec · Elm Street
-
35
Turn left onto Post Office Square
13 m · 2 sec · Post Office Square
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Post Office Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Caribou and Waterville.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
North Street
Merge slight left
171 mi · 02h 57m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Caribou and Sunny near Waterville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Caribou to Waterville?
The road trip is about 226.6 miles (364.7 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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?
Medway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.5 miles from Caribou and 113.1 miles from Waterville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 177.6 miles (285.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 49 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 9:34 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.01 one way or $70.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Caribou and Sunny near Waterville.
Stop Ideas Near Medway
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 Medway.
Orono (University of Maine), Maine
Bangor, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Caribou and Waterville. Straight-line distance: 177.61 mi (285.84 km).
#1 Caribou
City in Maine
| Population | 7,622 |
| Coordinates | 46.8606000, -68.0119700 |
| Altitude | 137 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waterville
City in Maine, United States
| Population | 16,579 |
| Coordinates | 44.5520100, -69.6317100 |
| Altitude | 33 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elm Street (-69.631853, 44.55206)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 365 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.38 | $35.01 | $70.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.93 | $39.40 | $78.80 |
| Premium | $5.41 | $43.28 | $86.56 |
| Diesel | $6.44 | $51.48 | $102.96 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026