How far is South Portland, ME from Caribou, ME?
The driving distance from South Portland, ME to Caribou, ME is about 303 miles (487.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 247.4 miles (398.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 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 52m.
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.
Mostly Clear
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Portland and Caribou.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Portland and Caribou.
-
1
Start on Pine Street
18 m · 10 sec · Pine Street
-
2
Turn sharp left onto Broadway
1.6 km · 2 min · Broadway
-
3
Continue on Casco Bay Bridge
1.1 mi · 2 min · Casco Bay Bridge
-
4
Turn straight onto York Street
785 ft · 19 sec · York Street
-
5
Turn left onto High Street
1.4 km · 2 min · High Street
-
6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 295 North, US 1 North: Falmouth
1360 ft · 33 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
46.8 mi · 53 min
-
8
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
198.3 mi · 3 hr 27 min · Maine Turnpike
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
1444 ft · 43 sec
-
10
Turn left onto North Street
3.2 mi · 6 min · North Street
-
11
Continue on North Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
-
12
Continue on US Highway 1
1.1 km · 55 sec · US Highway 1
-
13
Continue on Route 1
6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1
-
14
Continue on Main Road
6.7 mi · 11 min · Main Road
-
15
Continue on Route 1
2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1
-
16
Continue on Military Road
1649 ft · 40 sec · Military Road
-
17
Continue on Main Street
2412 ft · 1 min · Main Street
-
18
Turn left onto Benjamin Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Benjamin Street
-
19
Continue on Presque Isle Road
2 mi · 3 min · Presque Isle Road
-
20
Continue on Houlton Road
10.3 mi · 14 min · Houlton Road
-
21
Continue on Main Street
1.3 mi · 4 min · Main Street
-
22
Turn left onto State Street
1051 ft · 20 sec · State Street
-
23
Turn right onto Parsons Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Parsons Street
-
24
Continue on State Road
1014 ft · 17 sec · State Road
-
25
Continue on Connector Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Connector Road
-
26
Turn left onto Main Street
1778 ft · 54 sec · Main Street
-
27
Continue on Caribou Road
5.1 mi · 7 min · Caribou Road
-
28
Continue on Presque Isle Road
5.7 mi · 8 min · Presque Isle Road
-
29
Turn left onto Lyndon Street
1364 ft · 38 sec · Lyndon Street
-
30
Turn slight right onto Main Street
905 ft · 23 sec · Main Street
-
31
Turn left
13 m · 3 sec
-
32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Portland and Caribou.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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 Clear leaving South Portland 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 South Portland to Caribou?
The road trip is about 303 miles (487.6 km) and usually takes 05h 52m 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 151.4 miles from South Portland and 151.6 miles from Caribou.
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 55.6 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 5:14 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.17 one way or $84.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around South Portland and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Caribou.
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.
Orono (University of Maine), Maine
Bangor, Maine
Searsport, Maine
Belfast, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Portland and Caribou. Straight-line distance: 247.41 mi (398.17 km).
#1 South Portland
City in Cumberland County, Maine, USA
| Population | 25,950 |
| Coordinates | 43.6414700, -70.2408800 |
| Altitude | 7 |
| 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: 488 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $42.17 | $84.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $47.65 | $95.29 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $51.93 | $103.86 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $64.11 | $128.22 |
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.