How far is Waterville, ME from Houlton, ME?
The driving distance from Waterville, ME to Houlton, ME is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139.2 miles (224.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 08m 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 04m.
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 Penobscot County, Maine, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterville and Houlton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterville and Houlton.
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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
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5
Merge slight right
170.6 mi · 2 hr 57 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
1337 ft · 38 sec
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7
Turn slight right
54 m · 4 sec
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8
Turn straight onto North Street
1.5 km · 2 min · North Street
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9
Turn left onto Union Square
51 m · 5 sec · Union Square
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10
Continue on Market Square
120 m · 17 sec · Market Square
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11
Continue on Market Square
70 m · 8 sec · Market Square
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12
Turn right
41 m · 10 sec
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterville and Houlton.
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 Partly Cloudy near Houlton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterville to Houlton?
The road trip is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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?
Howland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.7 miles from Waterville and 86.9 miles from Houlton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 139.2 miles (224.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 10:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.82 one way or $53.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waterville and Partly Cloudy near Houlton.
Stop Ideas Near Howland
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 Howland.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterville and Houlton. Straight-line distance: 139.27 mi (224.14 km).
#1 Waterville
City in Maine, United States
| Population | 16,579 |
| Coordinates | 44.5520100, -69.6317100 |
| Altitude | 33 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Houlton
Town in Maine, USA
| Population | 5,766 |
| Coordinates | 46.1261600, -67.8403000 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Houlton (-67.8403, 46.12616)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.38 | $26.82 | $53.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.93 | $30.19 | $60.38 |
| Premium | $5.41 | $33.16 | $66.33 |
| Diesel | $6.44 | $39.45 | $78.89 |
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