Join us for a quick but useful cruise along Interstate 195, slicing west through the city of Saco, Maine. Although short—spanning just about two miles—this stretch of road plays an outsized role in funneling local traffic between downtown Saco, the coastal U.S. Highway 1 corridor, and the busy Maine Turnpike (I-95). It’s a classic connector that locals and visitors alike use to jump between the seacoast and the main interstate artery heading north toward Portland or south into New Hampshire.
We begin our westbound ride at the eastern end of I-195 where it originates at the intersection with Maine State Route 5. From here, the highway wastes no time pushing traffic efficiently toward bigger routes. Almost immediately, we hit the interchange with U.S. Highway 1—a key junction that provides access to Saco’s business district and nearby Old Orchard Beach, one of Maine’s favorite summertime destinations. If you have time to spare, a detour here can lead you to long sandy beaches, arcades, and the classic pier atmosphere that draws families from across New England.
Continuing west on I-195, we approach the toll booths marking the entry onto Interstate 95, more commonly known as the Maine Turnpike in this stretch. This is the only toll plaza on I-195 itself, but it’s the gateway to longer hauls either up to Portland and Augusta or down to Portsmouth and beyond. Once past the toll, the route comes to a quick conclusion as we merge seamlessly onto I-95 southbound, wrapping up this brief but vital connector’s job of tying local roads to the interstate network. Despite its short length, I-195 is a piece of infrastructure that keeps the flow of vacationers, commuters, and freight moving smoothly through southern Maine.
Note: Officially, this route is signed westbound, however in the video, we have it mislabeled as northbound as most odd-numbered highways are N-S. The info on the cover sheet and here in the description is accurate.
🗺️ Route Map
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