Major city · United States
Madawaska, MaineMadawaska
Madawaska is a half-day stop on a northern Maine road trip: walk the border bridge, eat poutine, then drive on to Fort Kent or Presque Isle. One night only if you need a bed between stops.
Madawaska sits on the US–Canada border opposite Edmundston, New Brunswick, at the northern end of US Route 1. It is a quiet town with a few motels, a border crossing and a handful of Acadian restaurants. Most travellers use it as a lunch-and-stretch break between Fort Kent and Presque Isle, or as a base for a cross-border day trip to Edmundston.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (snow, many businesses seasonal)
- Airport
- PQI
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Madawaska, Maine911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Madawaska, Maine, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPQI Presque Isle International Airport (Nearest commercial airport; service to Newark (EWR).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$130 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PQI Presque Isle International Airport (Nearest commercial airport; service to Newark (EWR). About 45 min drive.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Feb
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Mar
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Apr
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C) low), wettest May (13 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Madawaska, Maine: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
11 rd
Feb
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
9 rd
Mar
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
11 rd
Apr
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
12 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
13 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
13 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
12 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. The town is walkable along Main Street, but sights and the next towns require driving.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Edmundston, New Brunswick
goDoor to door: 5 min walk from Main St
Walk or drive across the Madawaska–Edmundston bridge
Passport needed. French-speaking city with restaurants and a cathedral.
Door to door: 20 min
US-1 north, about 20 min
Fort Kent Blockhouse and the northern terminus of US-1.
Door to door: 45 min
US-1 south, about 45 min
Larger town with grocery stores, restaurants and the airport.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street / US-1 corridor
Motels and inns along the highway; car needed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Gas (approx 100 km driving)1 × US$12 · check | US$12 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$39 |
| Trip total≈ US$216 per person per day, bed included | US$431 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Poutine or burger at a diner | $10–15 |
| Motel room, one night | $80–160 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Border crossing to Edmundston is open 24 h; carry a passport or enhanced ID.
- Many businesses close early and may be seasonal; call ahead in shoulder months.
- Cell service can be spotty north of Presque Isle; download offline maps.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Madawaska, MaineMadawaska
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest US consulate is in Halifax, Nova Scotia. For Canadian entry, check Canadian visa requirements.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Presque Isle Airport → Madawaska: about 45 min drive, taxi ~$60–80 (check)
- Madawaska → Fort Kent: about 20 min drive
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien ça coûte? — How much is this? (kom-byen sa koot)
- Où sont les toilettes? — Where is the bathroom? (oo son lay twa-let)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Madawaska, Maine. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (snow, many businesses seasonal) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the border bridge, Acadian cultural centre and local eateries.
- Seasonal hours verified for each business.
- Cross-border day-trip page for Edmundston.
Sources
Ask about Madawaska, Maine
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