Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
132.3 mi
213 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
City of Portland, ME
Brett Sayles
Guilford, ME
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a trip from Portland to Guilford, you can expect to cover 132.3 miles over the course of approximately 3 hours and 1 minute. This journey is well-suited for a single-day excursion, as it is efficient enough to complete without an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the Maine Turnpike and I-295 before transitioning onto North Dexter Road to reach your destination. Budgeting about $21 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Northeast region, you will remain within the same geographic area throughout your travel. This straightforward route offers a practical way to connect these two Maine locations.
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
66.2 miles from City of Portland, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 76% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the Maine Turnpike, which features your longest uninterrupted stretch of 53.6 miles. While the interstate portions allow for consistent speeds, the character of the drive shifts as you exit the main arteries. Navigating onto North Dexter Road brings a change in pace, moving you away from the heavy highway volume. Expect a mix of fast-paced transit and localized driving that requires you to stay attentive as you reach the final leg of your journey.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
666 ft
Total Descent
298 ft
Highest Point
611 ft
~122.9 mi in
Elevation Range
588 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and I 295. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Seashore Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 1m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Seashore Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto Seashore Avenue
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto Welch Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Merge onto I 295; US 1
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward ME 11, ME 100: Newport, Dexter
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from City of Portland, ME to Guilford, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Dexter along the way.
Dexter
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Turnpike | 53.6 mi | 58m |
| I 295 | 46.3 mi | 52m |
| North Dexter Road | 9.4 mi | 14m |
| Dexter Road | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| Moosehead Trail | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| Portland - Peaks Island | 2.5 mi | 20m |
| Newport Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Water Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between City of Portland, ME and Guilford, ME.
Start on Seashore Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Seashore Avenue
Continue on Whitehead Street
Continue on Oakland Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Welch Street
Continue on Portland - Peaks Island
Continue
Turn right onto Maine State Pier
Continue on Maine State Pier
Continue on US 1A
Take the ramp onto US 1A
Merge onto I 295; US 1
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto ME 11; ME 100
Enter roundabout onto ME 7; ME 11
Continue on ME 7; ME 11
Continue on ME 7; ME 11
Continue on ME 7; ME 11; ME 43
Continue on ME 7
Continue on ME 7
Continue on Church Street
Turn left onto ME 23
Continue on ME 23
Continue on Crockett Road
Turn straight onto ME 23
Continue on ME 23
Continue on ME 23
Turn left onto ME 6; ME 15; ME 16
Arrive at destination
Since the total drive time is just over 3 hours, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure. I recommend scheduling one well-timed stop to break up the drive, especially as you transition from the high-speed Maine Turnpike to secondary roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the interstate, as service options may become more sparse once you turn onto North Dexter Road. Being prepared for this shift in road density will make your travel experience much smoother. Because this is a manageable day trip, you can easily adjust your start time to avoid peak traffic hours if you prefer a quieter drive.
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.
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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.2 miles or 1h 36m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Guilford, ME than in the middle of the route.
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 132.3 miles and 3h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.2 mi from City of Portland, ME · 1h 36m 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 66.2 miles from City of Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Guilford, 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 Guilford, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$21.30 one way
$42.60 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $23.43 | $46.87 |
| premium | $4.86 | $25.33 | $50.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.21 | $58.42 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.21
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
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.7 | 0 | $13.89 | $6.35 |
| Efficient EV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.58 | $5.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.9 | 0 | $18.52 | $8.47 |
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
Afternoon in City of Portland on Wednesday
Local time
4:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Partly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
Destination
Afternoon in Guilford on Wednesday
Local time
4:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from City of Portland, ME or browse trips ending in Guilford, ME.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse ME road trips.
Explore maps for City of Portland, ME or Guilford, ME on MapSof.net.
