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Auburn, Maine is an underrated central base — Portland and the coast to the south, the western mountains and lakes to the north. Day-trip ideas and drive times.
Auburn doesn't get talked about as a travel base — and that's exactly why it works. It sits in the middle of southern and central Maine, so you can stay put at a fair nightly rate and day-trip in nearly every direction: Portland and the coast to the south, the western mountains and lakes to the north, the capital and the midcoast within easy reach.
Here's where you can get to from Saffron Inn, and roughly how long it takes. (Drive times are approximate — Maine traffic and your starting point will vary.)
Portland — about 40 minutes south on the Maine Turnpike. Maine's biggest city and one of the best food towns in the country: the Old Port, the working waterfront, breweries, and Casco Bay ferries to the islands. Easy as a day trip or an evening out.
Freeport — about 35 minutes. Home of the flagship L.L.Bean (open practically around the clock) plus outlet shopping and a walkable downtown.
The beaches — Old Orchard Beach is about 45 minutes; the southern coast's longer sand beaches are a little beyond. A doable summer day from the inn.
Bethel and Sunday River — about an hour northwest. Big-mountain skiing and riding in winter; hiking, the Mahoosucs, and cool mountain air in summer and fall.
The Rangeley Lakes — roughly 1.5 hours north. Classic Maine lakes-and-mountains country — fishing, paddling, and some of the best fall foliage in the East.
Foliage drives — in October, the back roads north and west of Auburn are a payoff in themselves. You don't need a destination; the drive is the trip.
Augusta — about 35 minutes east. The state capital, with the State House, the Maine State Museum, and the Kennebec River.
Camden and Rockland — about 1.5 hours. Postcard Maine harbors, windjammers, the Farnsworth Art Museum (Wyeth country), and lobster on the water. A long but very rewarding day.
Coastal and mountain-town lodging gets expensive fast, especially in summer and foliage season — and it books out. Auburn gives you a central, affordable, quiet home base with consistent availability, then hands back the savings to spend on the day trips themselves. Drive out in the morning, come back to a calm room at night, and skip the resort-town markups.
For directions into Auburn from any direction, see our guide to getting to Auburn, Maine.
Saffron Inn is at 170 Center Street, Auburn — central, easy on and off the Turnpike, with free parking and a 24-hour front desk for early starts and late returns.
Direct booking gets our best rate, every time. Or call the front desk at +1 (207) 784-1331 — open 24 hours.