How far is Waterville, ME from Caribou, ME?
The driving distance from Waterville, ME to Caribou, ME is about 226.7 miles (364.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 177.6 miles (285.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 55m 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 27m.
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.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterville and Caribou.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterville and Caribou.
-
1
Start on Post Office Square
13 m · 4 sec · Post Office Square
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2
Turn right onto Elm Street
110 m · 14 sec · Elm Street
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3
Turn slight left onto Main Street
1.3 mi · 4 min · Main Street
-
4
Take the ramp slight right
1419 ft · 35 sec
-
5
Merge slight right
170.6 mi · 2 hr 57 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
1444 ft · 43 sec
-
7
Turn left onto North Street
3.2 mi · 6 min · North Street
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8
Continue on North Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
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9
Continue on US Highway 1
1.1 km · 55 sec · US Highway 1
-
10
Continue on Route 1
6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1
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11
Continue on Main Road
6.7 mi · 11 min · Main Road
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12
Continue on Route 1
2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1
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13
Continue on Military Road
1649 ft · 40 sec · Military Road
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14
Continue on Main Street
2412 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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15
Turn left onto Benjamin Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Benjamin Street
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16
Continue on Presque Isle Road
2 mi · 3 min · Presque Isle Road
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17
Continue on Houlton Road
10.3 mi · 14 min · Houlton Road
-
18
Continue on Main Street
1.3 mi · 4 min · Main Street
-
19
Turn left onto State Street
1051 ft · 20 sec · State Street
-
20
Turn right onto Parsons Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Parsons Street
-
21
Continue on State Road
1014 ft · 17 sec · State Road
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22
Continue on Connector Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Connector Road
-
23
Turn left onto Main Street
1778 ft · 54 sec · Main Street
-
24
Continue on Caribou Road
5.1 mi · 7 min · Caribou Road
-
25
Continue on Presque Isle Road
5.7 mi · 8 min · Presque Isle Road
-
26
Turn left onto Lyndon Street
1364 ft · 38 sec · Lyndon Street
-
27
Turn slight right onto Main Street
905 ft · 23 sec · Main Street
-
28
Turn left
13 m · 3 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterville and Caribou.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Main Street
Merge slight right
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.
Sunny leaving Waterville and Mostly Sunny near Caribou.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterville to Caribou?
The road trip is about 226.7 miles (364.9 km) and usually takes 04h 27m 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 113.3 miles from Waterville and 113.5 miles from Caribou.
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 49.1 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 8:04 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 Sunny around Waterville and Mostly Sunny near Caribou.
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 Waterville and Caribou. Straight-line distance: 177.61 mi (285.84 km).
#1 Waterville
City in Maine, United States
| Population | 16,579 |
| Coordinates | 44.5520100, -69.6317100 |
| Altitude | 33 |
| 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: 365 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 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