Origin
Dexter, ME
Evening in Dexter on Sunday
Local time
8:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dexter, ME to South Portland, ME
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
118.7 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 11m
★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dexter, ME
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South Portland, ME
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Dexter down to South Portland, expect a straightforward journey covering 118.7 miles. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 2 hours and 21 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Budget roughly $19 for fuel to cover the distance, which primarily utilizes I-95 and I-295. Because the duration is relatively short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay; you can easily make this a round trip if your schedule allows. Navigating between these two Maine locations is efficient, as the route is designed for those who prefer a direct, highway-focused experience rather than a winding backroads tour.
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
59.3 miles from Dexter, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 118.7-mile trek is defined by its efficiency, with 85% of your travel time spent on major highways. You will start by transitioning onto Dexter Road before settling into the steady rhythm of the interstate system. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-95, where you can settle in for 53.5 miles of consistent driving. While the road lacks the technical challenges of local mountain passes, the transition from the interior landscape of Dexter toward the urban coastal environment of South Portland keeps the drive feeling purposeful. Expect a predictable, highway-focused experience that prioritizes speed and reliability over scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 14.2 miles in near Ox Bow Road.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 14.2 miles (Ox Bow Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 68.2 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.7 miles (US 1A): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
14.2 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
Ox Bow Road
Enter roundabout onto Ox Bow Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
9
68.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
I 295
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
Use the straight lane.
Exit 103
Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Bru...
7
114.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
|
US 1A
Take the exit onto US 1A toward US 1A
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7
Toward US 1A
5
115.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
|
Marginal Way
Turn right onto Marginal Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
118.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
Pine Street
Turn sharp right onto Pine Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Dexter, ME to South Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Brunswick
68.2 mi in
|
~1h 20m
|
via I 295
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 53.5 mi | 58m |
| I 295 | 46.5 mi | 52m |
| Dexter Road | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| Moosehead Trail | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Newport Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Corinna Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Casco Bay Bridge | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Spring Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 53.5 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dexter, ME and South Portland, ME.
1
Start on ME 7
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Spring Street
2
Continue on ME 7
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Corinna Road
3
Continue on ME 7
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Dexter Road
4
Continue on ME 7; ME 11
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Newport Road
5
Continue on ME 7; ME 11
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Moosehead Trail
6
Enter roundabout onto Ox Bow Road
142 ft
·
2 sec
·
Ox Bow Road
7
Continue on Ox Bow Road
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Ox Bow Road
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
9
Merge onto I 95
53 mi
·
58 min
·
I 95
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
46 mi
·
52 min
·
I 295
Exit 103
Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 1A
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1A
Exit 7
Toward US 1A
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto Marginal Way
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Marginal Way
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on State Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
14
Continue on ME 77
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Casco Bay Bridge
15
Continue on ME 77
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
16
Turn sharp right onto Pine Street
60 ft
·
2 sec
·
Pine Street
17
Arrive at destination
Pine Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 21-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion as you approach the South Portland area, as the final leg of the route relies heavily on the I-295 corridor. Because the trip is short, you likely won't need to plan formal rest stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Dexter to ensure you are ready for the full 118.7-mile stretch. Keep your $19 fuel budget in mind when planning your total travel expenses. Above all, stay alert during the transition from the rural stretches of I-95 into the busier traffic patterns near your destination.
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 59.3 miles from Dexter, ME, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.5 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
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 Dexter, 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 Dexter, ME
This is one driving day of about 118.7 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dexter, 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 I 95 for about 53.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.3 mi from Dexter, ME · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.3 miles from Dexter, 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
$19.00 one way
$38.00 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $20.83 | $41.66 |
| premium | $4.83 | $22.56 | $45.12 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.37 | $52.74 |
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
$19
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.46 | $5.70 |
| Efficient EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.39 | $4.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.62 | $7.60 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
South Portland, ME
Evening in South Portland on Sunday
Local time
8:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
2h 21m 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 Dexter, ME to South Portland, ME covers 118.7 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, I 295, Dexter Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.3 miles from Dexter, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.00 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 2h 21m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.2 miles (Ox Bow Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 68.2 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.7 miles (US 1A): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Dexter, ME to South Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
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