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Trip from City of Portland, ME to East Machias, ME

Drive Time

4h 51m

Distance

207.6 mi

334 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 38m ★
6 AM
4h 52m
8 AM
5h 19m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 59m
3 PM
5h 3m
5 PM
5h 18m
8 PM
4h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown City of Portland, ME, ME

City of Portland, ME

Brett Sayles

Trip Overview

The drive from City of Portland, ME to East Machias, ME covers 207.6 miles and takes about 4h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 295, US 1, Route 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.3 miles on I 295. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.23 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

103.8 miles from City of Portland, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from City of Portland, ME to East Machias, ME covers 207.6 miles and takes about 4h 51m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 49 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 295 is the longest continuous segment at about 46.3 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 1 miles in near Welch Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 207.6 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 1 miles (Welch Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 5 miles (I 295; US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 61 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
1 mi into trip | ~3m in | Welch Street

At end of road, turn left onto Welch Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

5
5 mi into trip | ~28m in | I 295; US 1

Merge onto I 295; US 1

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
61 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Take the exit toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 113 Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
5
61.2 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
61.3 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in | ME 3 / Augusta Bypass

Merge onto ME 3 / Augusta Bypass

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from City of Portland, ME to East Machias, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.

Belfast

61 mi in | ~1h 31m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 295 46.3 mi 52m
US 1 30.6 mi 45m
Route 3 17.6 mi 21m
Route 1 15.8 mi 23m
Acadia Highway 13.4 mi 15m
Maine Turnpike 9.8 mi 10m
Bucksport Road 8.5 mi 9m
North Belfast Avenue 8.1 mi 11m
Longest stretch: I 295 — 46.3 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between City of Portland, ME and East Machias, ME.

1

Start on Seashore Avenue

0.6 mi · 2 min · Seashore Avenue
2

At end of road, turn left onto Seashore Avenue

0.2 mi · 45 sec · Seashore Avenue
3

Continue on Whitehead Street

351 ft · 15 sec · Whitehead Street
4

Continue on Oakland Avenue

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Oakland Avenue
5

At end of road, turn left onto Welch Street

0.2 mi · 1 min · Welch Street
6

Continue on Portland - Peaks Island

2.5 mi · 20 min · Portland - Peaks Island
7

Continue

187 ft · 14 sec
8

Turn right onto Maine State Pier

74 ft · 30 sec · Maine State Pier
9

Continue on Maine State Pier

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Maine State Pier
10

Continue on US 1A

0.7 mi · 1 min · Franklin Street
11

Take the ramp onto US 1A

0.3 mi · 39 sec · US 1A
12

Merge onto I 295; US 1

46 mi · 52 min · I 295; US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 95

9.8 mi · 10 min · Maine Turnpike
14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 26 sec
Exit 113 Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 20 sec
16

Merge onto ME 3

2.5 mi · 3 min · Augusta Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
17

Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9

8.1 mi · 11 min · North Belfast Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18

Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Belfast Road
19

Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9

18 mi · 21 min · Route 3
Use the straight lane.
20

Continue on ME 3

4.0 mi · 4 min · Acadia Highway
21

Continue on ME 3

3.4 mi · 3 min · Belfast Augusta Road West
22

Continue on ME 3

4.8 mi · 5 min · Augusta Road
23

Continue on ME 3

4.0 mi · 4 min · Belmont Avenue
24

Take the exit onto ME 3

0.3 mi · 43 sec · ME 3
25

Merge onto US 1; ME 3

0.7 mi · 1 min · Route 1
26

Continue on US 1; ME 3

2.7 mi · 4 min · Searsport Avenue
Use the left lane.
27

Continue on US 1; ME 3

7.0 mi · 8 min · West Main Street
28

Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3

6.3 mi · 7 min · East Main Street
29

Continue on US 1; ME 3

1.2 mi · 2 min · US Highway 1
30

Continue on US 1; ME 3

508 ft · 12 sec · Route 1
31

Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15

1.0 mi · 1 min · Route 1
32

Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15

9.4 mi · 10 min · Acadia Highway
33

Continue on US 1; ME 3

8.5 mi · 9 min · Bucksport Road
34

Continue on US 1; ME 3

0.2 mi · 17 sec · West Main Street
35

Turn right onto ME 230

0.7 mi · 1 min · Water Street
Use the right lane.
36

Turn left onto Foster Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Foster Street
37

Turn right onto US 1; ME 3

0.3 mi · 43 sec · High Street
38

Turn left onto US 1; ME 3

31 mi · 45 min · US 1; ME 3
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
39

Turn right onto US 1A

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Bridge Street
40

Continue on US 1A

4.1 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Highway
41

Continue on US 1A

3.0 mi · 4 min · US Highway 1A
42

Continue on US 1A

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Kennedy Highway
43

Continue on US 1

0.5 mi · 47 sec · Main Street
44

Continue on US 1

14 mi · 20 min · Route 1
45

Continue on US 1

3.3 mi · 4 min · Harrington Road
46

Continue on US 1

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Outer Dublin Street
47

Continue on US 1

2.3 mi · 3 min · Dublin Street
48

Continue on US 1

4.2 mi · 6 min · Main Street
49

Arrive at destination

US 1

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 103.8 miles from City of Portland, ME, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 80 miles or 1h 57m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 103.8 miles or 2h 25m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Machias, ME than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving City of Portland, 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 City of Portland, ME

This is one driving day of about 207.6 miles and 4h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from City of Portland, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 46.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 103.8 mi from City of Portland, ME · 2h 25m into the drive

Downtown Brunswick, ME, ME

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brunswick, ME

104 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

Brunswick, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brunswick, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 103.8 miles from City of Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in East Machias, ME

The final approach into East Machias, 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 East Machias, ME.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park

National Park

Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour $6 near mile 157.5
Park Closure: Cadillac Summit Road Closed for Construction
Park Closure: Park Loop Road to Kebo Street Closed for Construction
View on nps.gov
Frances Perkins National Monument

Frances Perkins National Monument

National Monument

Known as the first woman to hold a presidential cabinet position and the “Woman behind the New Deal,” Frances Perkins championed many labor rights that Americans enjoy today, including safety standard...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free near mile 43
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.23 one way

$66.46 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 73 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $36.43 $72.86
premium $4.83 $39.46 $78.92
diesel $5.64 $46.12 $92.24

Estimated Tolls: $0.59

Maine Turnpike (9.8 mi) $0.59

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

$33

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 62.3 0 $21.80 $9.96
Efficient EV 51.9 0 $18.17 $8.30
EV Truck/SUV 83 1 $29.06 $13.29

Gas CO2

73 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 years ago

Origin

City of Portland, ME

Morning in City of Portland on Monday

Local time

8:24 AM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Machias, ME

Morning in East Machias on Monday

Local time

8:24 AM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

43°F

Brunswick, ME

104 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

12 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

4h 51m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from City of Portland, ME to East Machias, ME covers 207.6 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 295, US 1, Route 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 103.8 miles from City of Portland, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.23 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 207.6 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 1 miles (Welch Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 5 miles (I 295; US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 61 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from City of Portland, ME to East Machias, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.

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