Trip from Denmark, ME to South Portland, ME

Drive Time

1h 10m

Distance

46.2 mi

74 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min
4 AM
1h 5m ★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 21m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 21m
8 PM
1h 7m

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

Downtown Denmark, ME, ME

Denmark, ME

Christian Himmel

Downtown South Portland, ME, ME

South Portland, ME

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

If you are looking to travel from the quiet inland setting of Denmark to the coast in South Portland, this 46.2-mile trek is a straightforward journey. Spanning approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, the trip is perfectly suited for a single day of travel. You will navigate via the Roosevelt Trail, Bridgton Road, and Forest Avenue, keeping your fuel costs to a modest $7. Because the entire route remains within Maine, you will experience a seamless transition from rural landscapes toward the more developed coastal region. It is a practical, efficient path that avoids the need for an overnight stay, allowing you to easily complete the journey in one go.

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

23.1 miles from Denmark, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route has a highway share of 0%. You will spend most of your time navigating local roads, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 24.7 miles along the Roosevelt Trail. The road demands your attention due to its technical nature, making it a more engaged experience than a monotonous highway slog. As you transition through the different segments of the drive, the character of the road remains consistently local. You should be prepared for frequent adjustments behind the wheel as you navigate the winding, non-highway path to your destination.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Roosevelt Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 24.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 6.7 miles in near Sandy Creek Road.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 1h 10m 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 6.7 miles (Sandy Creek Road): Navigation decision point; at 7.4 miles (US 302 / Portland Road): Navigation decision point; at 30.7 miles (US 302 / Roosevelt Trail): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 5 key points

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

3
6.7 mi into trip | ~11m in | Sandy Creek Road

Turn right onto Sandy Creek Road

Navigation decision point

5
7.4 mi into trip | ~13m in | US 302 / Portland Road

At end of road, turn right onto US 302 / Portland Road

Navigation decision point

5
30.7 mi into trip | ~46m in | US 302 / Roosevelt Trail

Enter roundabout onto US 302 / Roosevelt Trail toward US 302: Portland

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward US 302: Portland
5
43.1 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
46.2 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | Pine Street

Turn sharp right onto Pine Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Roosevelt Trail 24.7 mi 35m
Forest Avenue 4.3 mi 5m
Bridgton Road 3.8 mi 7m
East Main Street 3.6 mi 6m
South High Street 3.1 mi 5m
Portland Road 2.8 mi 3m
Casco Bay Bridge 1.1 mi 1m
Broadway 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Roosevelt Trail — 24.7 mi, about 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Denmark, ME and South Portland, ME.

1

Start on ME117

3.6 mi · 6 min · East Main Street
2

Continue on South High Street

3.1 mi · 5 min · South High Street
3

Turn right onto Sandy Creek Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Sandy Creek Road
4

At end of road, turn right onto US 302

2.8 mi · 3 min · Portland Road
5

Continue on US 302

20 mi · 30 min · Roosevelt Trail
Use the straight lane.
6

Enter roundabout onto US 302

283 ft · 9 sec · Roosevelt Trail
Toward US 302: Portland
7

Continue on US 302

4.2 mi · 4 min · Roosevelt Trail
Toward US 302: Portland
8

Continue on US 302

3.8 mi · 7 min · Bridgton Road
9

Continue on US 302

4.3 mi · 5 min · Forest Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Turn slight right

438 ft · 16 sec
11

Keep slight right at fork

177 ft · 7 sec
12

Turn slight right onto State Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Street
13

Continue on ME 77

1.1 mi · 1 min · Casco Bay Bridge
14

Continue on ME 77

1.0 mi · 1 min · Broadway
15

Turn sharp right onto Pine Street

60 ft · 2 sec · Pine Street
16

Arrive at destination

Pine Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short 1-hour and 10-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You won't need to worry about planning long breaks, as there are no scheduled stops required to complete the 46.2-mile distance. Keep in mind that because you are traveling exclusively on local roads, your pace will be dictated by local traffic patterns and turn-heavy segments. Be sure to fuel up before you head out, as the $7 budget assumes you are starting with a full tank for the trek. Making this a day trip is your best option, as the manageable duration gives you the freedom to reach South Portland without the fatigue of a long-haul drive.

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 23.1 miles from Denmark, ME, or about 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.7 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 46.2 miles or 1h 10m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 23.1 miles or 35m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 59m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Denmark, 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 Denmark, ME

This is one driving day of about 46.2 miles and 1h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Denmark, 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 Roosevelt Trail for about 24.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 23.1 mi from Denmark, ME · 35m into the drive

Downtown Lawrence, MA, MA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lawrence, MA

23 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

Lawrence, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lawrence, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 23.1 miles from Denmark, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in South Portland, ME

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.40 one way

$14.79 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $8.11 $16.21
premium $4.83 $8.78 $17.56
diesel $5.64 $10.26 $20.53

Estimated Tolls: $7.00

Bay Bridge $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

$7

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 16.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 13.9 0 $4.85 $2.22
Efficient EV 11.6 0 $4.04 $1.85
EV Truck/SUV 18.5 0 $6.47 $2.96

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (69% 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 days ago

Origin

Denmark, ME

Evening in Denmark on Sunday

Local time

8:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

South Portland, ME

Evening in South Portland on Sunday

Local time

8:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

--

Unavailable

Along the Route

52°F

Lawrence, MA

23 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.

Road read

1h 10m 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 Denmark, ME to South Portland, ME covers 46.2 miles and takes about 1h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Roosevelt Trail, Forest Avenue, Bridgton Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.1 miles from Denmark, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.40 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 straightforward 1h 10m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.7 miles (Sandy Creek Road): Navigation decision point; at 7.4 miles (US 302 / Portland Road): Navigation decision point; at 30.7 miles (US 302 / Roosevelt Trail): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Denmark, ME to South Portland, ME does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

South Portland, ME to Denmark, ME

Plan the drive back the other way.

46.2 mi 1h 10m

Explore more options from Denmark, ME or browse trips ending in South Portland, ME.

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