Origin
Acton, ME
Late night in Acton on Wednesday
Local time
2:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Acton, ME to Portland, ME
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
59m
Distance
42.3 mi
68 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 9m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Acton, ME
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Portland, ME
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Trip Overview
This straightforward 42.3-mile drive from Acton, ME to Portland, ME takes approximately 59 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You'll be spending about half your time on highways, with the Maine Turnpike and I-295 being key parts of the journey. The estimated fuel cost for this Northeast to Northeast stretch is around $7, making it a budget-friendly option. Given its short duration and mixed driving profile, this route offers a convenient way to travel between these two Maine locations without needing an overnight stop. It's a practical choice for a quick commute or an easy addition to a larger regional exploration.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
21.1 miles from Acton, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with 49% of it on highways. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be 12.2 miles along the Maine Turnpike, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. The drive transitions between faster highway sections and more local road segments as you approach your destination. This varied profile means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind, but rather experience a dynamic shift in your surroundings as you progress from Acton towards Portland.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Maine Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 12.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.7 miles in near ME 224 / Bridge Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 42.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.7 miles (ME 224 / Bridge Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 23.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.2 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
7.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
ME 224 / Bridge Street
Turn sharp left onto ME 224 / Bridge Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
23.8 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North Toll: Portland, Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North Toll: Portland, Augusta
8
36.2 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
I 295
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward Downtown Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 44
Toward Downtown Portland
5
41.4 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward ME 100 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6A
Toward ME 100 South
6
42.3 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
Congress Street
At end of road, turn left onto Congress Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Acton, ME to Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Augusta along the way.
Augusta
23.8 mi in
|
~36m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Turnpike | 12.2 mi | 13m |
| Alfred Road | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| I 295 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| State Route 109 | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Sanford Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| Emery Mills Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Biddeford Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 12.2 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Acton, ME and Portland, ME.
1
Start on Sam Page Road
47 ft
·
5 sec
·
Sam Page Road
2
Turn right onto H Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
H Road
3
Turn left onto ME 109
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
State Route 109
4
Continue on ME 11; ME 109
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Emery Mills Road
5
Continue on ME 11; ME 109
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Main Street
6
Turn sharp left onto ME 224
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Bridge Street
7
Continue on ME 224
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pleasant Street
8
Continue on ME 224
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Shaws Ridge Road
9
Turn left onto US 202; ME 4A
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Sanford Road
10
Continue on ME 111
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Biddeford Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on ME 111
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Alfred Road
12
Continue on ME 111
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Alfred Street
13
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
1 min
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 95 North Toll: Portland, Augusta
15
Merge onto I 95
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Maine Turnpike
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
I 295
Exit 44
Toward Downtown Portland
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 6A
Toward ME 100 South
18
Keep slight left at fork
156 ft
·
7 sec
19
Continue on ME 100
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Forest Avenue
20
Turn left onto Portland Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Portland Street
21
At end of road, turn right onto Preble Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Preble Street
22
At end of road, turn left onto Congress Street
156 ft
·
5 sec
·
Congress Street
23
Arrive at destination
Congress Street
Trip Plan
For this short, 59-minute trip covering 42.3 miles, you have plenty of flexibility. Consider departing mid-morning or early afternoon to avoid the busiest commuter times. Since the longest stretch is only 12.2 miles on the Maine Turnpike, you won't need to worry about extended periods without services, and the $7 fuel cost is minimal. Keep an eye out for the transition points between the Maine Turnpike and I-295 as you get closer to Portland, as these can sometimes be busy. There are no designated stops mentioned, so plan your own if needed, but rest assured, this is a quick journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 21.1 miles from Acton, ME, or about 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 42.3 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.1 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portland, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Acton, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Acton, ME
This is one driving day of about 42.3 miles and 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Acton, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Maine Turnpike for about 12.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.1 mi from Acton, ME · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 42.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.1 miles from Acton, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Portland, ME
The final approach into Portland, ME usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Portland, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.81 one way
$13.62 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $7.49 | $14.98 |
| premium | $4.86 | $8.10 | $16.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.34 | $18.68 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.73
Maine Turnpike
(12.2 mi)
$0.73
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.44 | $2.03 |
| Efficient EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.70 | $1.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.92 | $2.71 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Portland, ME
Late night in Portland on Wednesday
Local time
2:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
14 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
59m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Acton, ME to Portland, ME covers 42.3 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Maine Turnpike, Alfred Road, I 295. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.1 miles from Acton, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.81 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 42.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.7 miles (ME 224 / Bridge Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 23.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.2 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Acton, ME to Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Augusta along the way.
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