Major city · United States
OaklandOakland, Maine
Half a day or a meal stop on the way to Belgrade Lakes or Waterville: one sight, a short walk, then move on.
Oakland is a small town on ME-137, 10 min from Waterville, with a historic Memorial Hall and access to the Belgrade Lakes region. It works as a quick stop for a walk and a bite, not a destination on its own.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, many businesses close early)
- Airports
- PWM · BGR
- Nights
- 0
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 Oakland911 ▾
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
- Oakland Police Department (non-emergency)207-465-2233
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 Oakland, 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 safe.
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 · 207-465-2233 Oakland Police Department (non-emergency)
- 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.
- AirportPWM Portland International Jetport (About 1 h 15 min drive; no direct public transport).
- 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
- Sit-down mealLunch at a diner$10–15
- Budget bedLake cabin in Belgrade (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedMotel in Waterville (double room), a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel in Waterville (double room), a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$50 · High US$80
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
- PWM Portland International Jetport (About 1 h 15 min drive; no direct public transport) · BGR Bangor International Airport (About 1 h 30 min drive)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
not flagged
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Oakland: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
9 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
8 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
10 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
10 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. ME-137 (Kennedy Memorial Drive) is the main road. No public transport within town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Belgrade Lakes
goDoor to door: 15 min
ME-137 north, about 10 min drive
Lake access, hiking, and the Belgrade Lakes Village.
Waterville
goDoor to door: 10 min
ME-137 east, about 5 min drive
Colby College, the Maine Film Center, and more dining.
Augusta
goDoor to door: 30 min
I-95 south, about 25 min drive
State Capitol, Maine State Museum, and the Kennebec River.
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.
Waterville (5 min east)
More hotels and motels; better for an overnight.
Belgrade Lakes (10 min north)
Cabins and lakefront rentals; seasonal.
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
- $30–50 (meal + gas)
- Mid
- $50–80 (meal + coffee + small purchase)
- High
- $80+ (meal + shopping + activity)
Trip budget
| Motel in Waterville (double room)1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$50 | US$100 |
| Meal at a diner (lunch)2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Coffee and pastry2 × US$6 | US$12 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$26 |
| Trip total≈ US$144 per person per day, bed included | US$288 |
10 min drive
2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Lunch at a diner | $10–15 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 |
| ParkingStreet parking in the centre | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Most shops and restaurants close by 20:00 or earlier off-season.Most shops and restaurants close by 8:00 PM or earlier off-season.
- Winter driving: ME-137 can be icy; check road conditions.
- No gas station in the centre; fill up in Waterville.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 911
- Oakland Police Department (non-emergency)
- 207-465-2233
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
OaklandOakland, Maine
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
- Oakland Police (non-emergency)207-465-2233
Embassy
The nearest US embassy is in Ottawa, Canada (about 5 h drive). For consular services, use the US Department of State website.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Portland Jetport → Oakland: About 1 h 15 min drive; no bus
- Waterville → Oakland: About 5 min drive
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is Memorial Hall? — Where is Memorial Hall?
- How much is that? — How much is that?
- I need a gas station — I need a gas station
English only; no translation needed.
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 Oakland. 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: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, many businesses close early) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas 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 page for Memorial Hall with opening hours and event calendar.
- Eat page for local diners and seasonal farm stands.
- Seasonal activity page for Belgrade Lakes boating and fishing.
Sources
Ask about Oakland
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