Getting to Sugarloaf

[frozencorn]

Heading to the Loaf for the first time next weekend and wondering the best way to get there from the Boston area.

Their site gives 2 options: Any suggestions as to which one is quicker?

Take I-95 North to Augusta, Exit 112B (formerly 31B) - Follow Route 27 North through Farmington and Kingfield, straight to Sugarloaf.

or

Take the Maine Turnpike (I-95) to Auburn, Exit 75 (formerly 12) - Follow Route 4 North through Farmington - Get on Route 27 North through Kingfield, straight to Sugarloaf.

 

[Talisman]

I used to drive to the Loaf a lot and getting off in Augusta was the best route for me. Truthfully it is a long drive either way.

 

[snowmonster]

They're essentially the same though I prefer to get off the Turnpike at Auburn. If the drive conditions are good, you can get from Boston to Sugarloaf in about 4.5 hours. The mountain is worth the drive. Have fun!

 

[MichaelJ]

I like Augusta. It means a longer mind-numbing time on I-95, but it also means avoiding all the bizarre traffic patterns through Auburn. There's nary a traffic light between Augusta and where 4 re-encounters 16 (Farmington?) and it's much easier going than all the slights and slow roads in Auburn, in my opinion.

 

[SIKSKIER]

I prefer the Augusta route myself.Besides Farmington the only real slow area is the Belgrade Lakes section.No real easy way.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

I might be up in Portland ME in the next few weeks (seeing customers) how far a drive from Portland to the Loaf?? I will be driving back to Long Island

 

[wa-loaf]

I like Augusta. It means a longer mind-numbing time on I-95, but it also means avoiding all the bizarre traffic patterns through Auburn. There's nary a traffic light between Augusta and where 4 re-encounters 16 (Farmington?) and it's much easier going than all the slights and slow roads in Auburn, in my opinion.

If you're going on through to Augusta don't stay on the ME turnpike. Take 95 through Portland and past Freeport. It's about 15 mins faster.

 

[Mildcat]

If I leave early enough to miss the traffic in Auburn then I find Rt.4 quicker. One short cut to save about 15-20 mins. is to take a left onto Crash Rd. right before the town of Jay. Rt.4 loops around to the right and slows down going through some of the towns there. Crash Rd. goes straight up and has a higher speed limit. At the end of the road take a right and it'll take you back onto Rt.4. I don't think there is a street sign for Crash Rd. so check it out on Google Earth first to see where it is.

You're in for a great time, Sugarloaf is an awesome place.

 

[MikeTrainor]

If you're going on through to Augusta don't stay on the ME turnpike. Take 95 through Portland and past Freeport. It's about 15 mins faster.

The switched the roads a few years ago. 95 is now the old 495 and i believe the old route was renamed 295. But yes if you are getting off in Augusta take 295 in Portland.

 

[MichaelJ]

Indeed, 295 is an excellent suggestion. It doesn't work for Sunday River (295 rejoins 95 well past Gray) but is a definite optimization for Sugarloaf.

As to the renaming/renumbering ...
The Maine Turnpike is now 95 the whole way. The exit numbers are the mile markers starting at the NH border. The road that splits off and goes through downtown Portland, skirts Brunswick, and rejoins in Gardiner, is now 295. The road that connects 95 and 295 in Falmouth is now unnumbered.

Turnpike Renumbering Brochure

 

[salsgang]

I defintely recommend 295 - shorter and less tolls.

I would throw one more option in there... Stay on the interstate until Waterville. Its only 3 miles longer, but you can make up for it by being able to go interstate speeds longer.

Once off the highway, its smooth sailing. Roads wide and fast until Anson... then its still good road until you join up with Kingfield via Route 27. I think there are only 2 stoplights the whole way.

Here is a google map:

Sugarloaf via Waterville

Regardless, Augusta/Farmington or Waterville are the best routes. Stay away from Auburn. Have Fun! Loaf Rules!

 

[deadheadskier]

I defintely recommend 295 - shorter and less tolls.

I would throw one more option in there... Stay on the interstate until Waterville. Its only 3 miles longer, but you can make up for it by being able to go interstate speeds longer.

Once off the highway, its smooth sailing. Roads wide and fast until Anson... then its still good road until you join up with Kingfield via Route 27. I think there are only 2 stoplights the whole way.

Here is a google map:

Sugarloaf via Waterville

Regardless, Augusta/Farmington or Waterville are the best routes. Stay away from Auburn. Have Fun! Loaf Rules!

I have not tried this route, but I have heard that this is the best way to go.

 

[wa-loaf]

I defintely recommend 295 - shorter and less tolls.

I would throw one more option in there... Stay on the interstate until Waterville. Its only 3 miles longer, but you can make up for it by being able to go interstate speeds longer.

Once off the highway, its smooth sailing. Roads wide and fast until Anson... then its still good road until you join up with Kingfield via Route 27. I think there are only 2 stoplights the whole way.

Here is a google map:

Sugarloaf via Waterville

Regardless, Augusta/Farmington or Waterville are the best routes. Stay away from Auburn. Have Fun! Loaf Rules!

Are you saying the whole trip is only 3 miles longer or Waterville is only 3 miles past Augusta? Because Waterville is 15 miles past Augusta. If you're talking the whole trip then just ignore my whole post.

 

[wa-loaf]

I defintely recommend 295 - shorter and less tolls.

I would throw one more option in there... Stay on the interstate until Waterville. Its only 3 miles longer, but you can make up for it by being able to go interstate speeds longer.

Once off the highway, its smooth sailing. Roads wide and fast until Anson... then its still good road until you join up with Kingfield via Route 27. I think there are only 2 stoplights the whole way.

Here is a google map:

Sugarloaf via Waterville

Regardless, Augusta/Farmington or Waterville are the best routes. Stay away from Auburn. Have Fun! Loaf Rules!

A couple shortcuts on that route. If you take Depot street in Norridgewock, you can cut off a light and skip some slow traffic. And Pine Street in Madison to skip the center of town.

Revised map.

 

[salsgang]

Are you saying the whole trip is only 3 miles longer or Waterville is only 3 miles past Augusta? Because Waterville is 15 miles past Augusta. If you're talking the whole trip then just ignore my whole post.

Yup - just 3 miles longer whole trip... Good shortcuts - goes around both lights on the route!

 

[ski_resort_observer]

The interstate thru Portland has always been I295, if not paying tolls is important to you than continuing on to Waterville is the best way although you do pay a toll getting off I95>I295 and if it's rush hour I295 can get pretty congested. Several neighbors in Cumberland have SP's to the Loaf and they go thru Auburn. That change of exit numbers on I95 has to be the dumbest idea thing yet.

 

[MichaelJ]

That change of exit numbers on I95 has to be the dumbest idea thing yet.

Except that there used to be multiple exits with the same number and depending on the route you took you could overlap numbers and be many, many, many miles away from LL Bean. *cough*

The mileage-based numbering system is what many, many parts of the country have, and it really makes a lot more sense. You always know how far it is to your exit just by reading a mileage post, as well as easily knowing distances just by subtracting exit numbers.

It's just a little depressing when driving up to Baxter ... exit 244.

 

[deadheadskier]

The mileage-based numbering system is what many, many parts of the country have, and it really makes a lot more sense. You always know how far it is to your exit just by reading a mileage post, as well as easily knowing distances just by subtracting exit numbers.

I couldn't agree more. Mileage numbers are definitely the way to go for gauging distance and you avoid all of the A, B, C's etc when new exits are added.

The WORST system is on Highway 1 going from Los Angelas to San Fran. There are no numbers at all, all of the exits are just named as places. It was completely disconcerting to me as I kept thinking I had possibly missed my exit whenever I passed another town/exit not knowing in what order certain towns are along the coast. I basically had to keep looking at a map the entire time I drove it. Stupid if you ask me.

 

[phil]

I would say RT 27 from Augusta and avoid Auburn

 

[SIKSKIER]

As to the renaming/renumbering ...
The Maine Turnpike is now 95 the whole way. The exit numbers are the mile markers starting at the NH border. The road that splits off and goes through downtown Portland, skirts Brunswick, and rejoins in Gardiner, is now 295. The road that connects 95 and 295 in Falmouth is now unnumbered.

Turnpike Renumbering Brochure

Agreed,I always go through Portland.And who's brilliant idea was it to change the exits #'s to mile markers?