Origin
Bangor, ME
Late night in Bangor on Monday
Local time
12:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 32m
Distance
132.1 mi
213 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bangor, ME
Beth Fitzpatrick
South Portland, ME
Phil Evenden
Connecting Bangor to South Portland, this 132.1-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Maine. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 32 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $21, it is an economical route that keeps you within the Northeast region for the entire duration. Because the drive is relatively short, you likely won't need an overnight stay, allowing you to easily complete it in one go. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, the route is designed for efficiency rather than leisure. It is a practical path for travelers who want to move between these two hubs without unnecessary complications.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.1 miles from Bangor, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 96% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will rely primarily on I-95 and I-295 to navigate the state, with local access provided via Hammond Street. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 80.1 miles on I-95, requiring steady focus as you maintain interstate speeds. As you transition from the Bangor area toward the coast, the character of the road remains consistent and fast-paced. Expect a functional, interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over winding, secondary backroads.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
345 ft
Total Descent
435 ft
Highest Point
306 ft
~38.5 mi in
Elevation Range
281 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 295. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near I 95; ME 15.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 32m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (I 95; ME 15): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 81.6 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.1 miles (US 1A): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 95; ME 15
Merge point - match speed before joining
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 1A toward US 1A
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Marginal Way
Lane positioning matters here
Turn sharp right onto Pine Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
On the drive from Bangor, ME to South Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Brunswick
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 80.1 mi | 1h 27m |
| I 295 | 46.5 mi | 52m |
| Hammond Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| Casco Bay Bridge | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| State Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Broadway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Marginal Way | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| US 1A | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bangor, ME and South Portland, ME.
Start on US 2; ME 100
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95; ME 15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
Take the exit onto US 1A
Turn right onto Marginal Way
Continue on State Street
Continue on ME 77
Continue on ME 77
Turn sharp right onto Pine Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a two-and-a-half-hour drive, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and keep your energy up. Leaving early in the day can help you avoid potential traffic buildup as you approach the South Portland area. Given the high percentage of interstate travel, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained highway speeds before departing Bangor. Fuel prices are estimated at $21, so you can easily budget for a full tank before you hit the road. Use the flexibility of this short trip to your advantage by building in a quick break halfway through your 132.1-mile trek to make the ride more comfortable.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.1 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Portland, ME than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Bangor, 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 Bangor, ME
This is one driving day of about 132.1 miles and 2h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.1 mi from Bangor, ME · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 66.1 miles from Bangor, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.1 miles.
The final approach into South 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 South Portland, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$21.15 one way
$42.29 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $23.18 | $46.36 |
| premium | $4.83 | $25.11 | $50.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.35 | $58.70 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.00
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
$21
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.87 | $6.34 |
| Efficient EV | 33 | 0 | $11.56 | $5.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.49 | $8.45 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Bangor on Monday
Local time
12:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in South Portland on Monday
Local time
12:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Along the Route
43°F
Brunswick, ME
66 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
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.
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