How far is Saco, ME from Houlton, ME?

The driving distance from Saco, ME to Houlton, ME is about 263 miles (423.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 221.7 miles (356.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 28m 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
262.96 mi
04h 44m
Flight
221.72 mi
356.83 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saco.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
221.72 mi
Kilometers
356.83 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
262.96 mi
Kilometers
423.19 km
Drive Time
04h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Houlton
Thu, Apr 23, 8:22 AM EDT
Return by in Saco
Thu, Apr 23, 1:07 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saco
2026-04-23T03:38
Arrive Houlton
Thu, Apr 23, 8:22 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:44 AM to 12:44 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:32 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saco
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
Carmel
ME

Town in Maine, United States

From Saco
131.4 mi
02h 22m
To Houlton
131.5 mi
02h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Saco Weather
ME
Live fallback forecast
50°F
Thursday
Using Biddeford as the closest live forecast in the York County weather hub.

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
Houlton Weather
ME
Live fallback forecast
46°F
Thursday
Using Mars Hill as the closest live forecast in the Aroostook County weather hub.

Rain And Snow Showers Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Saco and Houlton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saco and Houlton.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    28 m · 9 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Beach Street

    49 m · 5 sec · Beach Street

  3. 3

    Continue on North Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward I 95 North: Portland

    3039 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

    8.8 mi · 9 min · Maine Turnpike

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Downtown Portland

    52.5 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

    198.3 mi · 3 hr 27 min · Maine Turnpike

  8. 8

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

    1337 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Turn slight right

    54 m · 4 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto North Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · North Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Union Square

    51 m · 5 sec · Union Square

  12. 12

    Continue on Market Square

    120 m · 17 sec · Market Square

  13. 13

    Continue on Market Square

    70 m · 8 sec · Market Square

  14. 14

    Turn right

    41 m · 10 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Saco and Houlton.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Maine Turnpike
207 mi · 79%
Downtown Portland
52.5 mi · 20%
North Street
2.34 mi · 1%
I 95 North
0.58 mi
US 1
0.25 mi
Market Square
0.12 mi
Longest Stretch

Maine Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

198 mi · 03h 27m

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
04h 44m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.3 mi
221.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Carmel
02h 22m from Saco
Leave By
7:32 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Saco and Rain And Snow Showers Likely near Houlton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Saco to Houlton?

The road trip is about 263 miles (423.2 km) and usually takes 04h 44m 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?

Carmel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.4 miles from Saco and 131.5 miles from Houlton.

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

The direct path is about 221.7 miles (356.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.3 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 7:32 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.61 one way or $73.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Saco and Rain And Snow Showers Likely near Houlton.

Stop Ideas Near Carmel

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Carmel, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Carmel.

BUS

Bangor, Maine

19 mi away
1039 Union St.
BUS

Orono (University of Maine), Maine

32 mi away
Squapan Rd and Gym Dr
BUS

Searsport, Maine

39 mi away
161 East Main St.
BUS

Belfast, Maine

42 mi away
Belmont Ave & US Hwy 1

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saco and Houlton. Straight-line distance: 221.72 mi (356.83 km).

Saco

#1 Saco

City in York County, Maine

Population20,121
Coordinates43.5009200, -70.4428300
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Houlton

#2 Houlton

Town in Maine, USA

Population5,766
Coordinates46.1261600, -67.8403000
Altitude110
CountryUnited States
Start: Saco (-70.44283, 43.50092)
End: Houlton (-67.8403, 46.12616)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 423 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.28 gal
35.12 L · about $36.61
Round trip
$73.22
18.56 gal · 70.24 L
Estimated CO2
82.5 kg one way
Round trip: 164.9 kg / 364 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $36.61 $73.22
Mid-grade $4.46 $41.36 $82.72
Premium $4.86 $45.08 $90.16
Diesel $6.00 $55.65 $111.30

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 Saco and Houlton. The current time is 03:38:06.

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.