Origin
Lewiston, ME
Night in Lewiston on Sunday
Local time
9:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lewiston, ME to Portland, ME
Drive Time
46m
Distance
35.4 mi
57 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lewiston, ME
Meri Verbina
Portland, ME
Brett Sayles
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Lewiston to Portland, you are in for a quick 35.4-mile trip that typically takes about 46 minutes. This straightforward route is perfect for a single-day excursion, as it connects two major hubs within the Northeast region. Budgeting approximately $6 for fuel is more than enough to cover the distance, making this an economical choice for a quick getaway. Because the drive is so short, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations or complicated logistics. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, the route is efficient and keeps you on the move with minimal downtime.
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
17.7 miles from Lewiston, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 63% of your journey is spent on the interstate. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Maine Turnpike, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 22.3 miles. The character of the road shifts from the initial local navigation on Washington Street to the higher speeds of the Turnpike, before eventually transitioning into the city environment via Forest Avenue. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads. You will find that the rhythm of the trip is steady, keeping you moving efficiently from the interior of the state down toward the coast.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Maine Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 22.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and Washington Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ME 126 / Sabattus Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 35.4 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: near the start (ME 126 / Sabattus Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 14.1 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
ME 126 / Sabattus Street
Turn sharp left onto ME 126 / Sabattus Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
14.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Maine Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
28.7 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward ME 26, ME 100: West Falmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward ME 26, ME 100: West Falmouth
5
35.2 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
Preble Street
At end of road, turn right onto Preble Street
Navigation decision point
6
35.4 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
Congress Street
At end of road, turn left onto Congress Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Turnpike | 22.3 mi | 23m |
| Washington Street | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| Forest Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Auburn Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| Allen Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Minot Avenue | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Gray Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 22.3 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lewiston, ME and Portland, ME.
1
Start on this road
70 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn sharp left onto ME 126
123 ft
·
4 sec
·
Sabattus Street
3
Turn left onto US 202
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on US 202; ME 11; ME 100
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Court Street
5
Turn left onto US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Minot Avenue
6
Turn slight left onto US 202; ME 4; ME 100
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Washington Street
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
9
Merge onto I 95
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Maine Turnpike
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
15 mi
·
15 min
·
Maine Turnpike
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 53
Toward ME 26, ME 100: West Falmouth
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
151 ft
·
3 sec
13
Turn straight onto ME 26; ME 100
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Gray Road
14
Continue on ME 26; ME 100
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Auburn Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto ME 100
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Allen Avenue
16
Turn left onto US 302; ME 100
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Forest Avenue
17
Turn left onto Portland Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Portland Street
18
At end of road, turn right onto Preble Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Preble Street
19
At end of road, turn left onto Congress Street
156 ft
·
5 sec
·
Congress Street
20
Arrive at destination
Congress Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a brief 46-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule rather than worrying about mid-trip fatigue. You won't need to factor in any mandatory stops, allowing you to drive the full distance in one go. When navigating the final leg, pay close attention to traffic patterns as you transition from the Maine Turnpike onto Forest Avenue, as urban density increases near your destination. Keep a small amount of cash or a toll pass handy, as the Maine Turnpike is a tolled highway. Ultimately, the simplicity of this 35.4-mile route means you can focus less on road planning and more on enjoying your time once you arrive in Portland.
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 17.7 miles from Lewiston, ME, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.3 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 35.4 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.7 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portland, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, ME
This is one driving day of about 35.4 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lewiston, 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 Maine Turnpike for about 22.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.7 mi from Lewiston, ME · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.7 miles from Lewiston, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Portland, ME
The final approach into 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 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
$5.67 one way
$11.33 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $6.21 | $12.42 |
| premium | $4.83 | $6.73 | $13.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.86 | $15.73 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.33
Maine Turnpike
(22.3 mi)
$1.33
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
$6
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.72 | $1.70 |
| Efficient EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.10 | $1.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.96 | $2.27 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Portland, ME
Night in Portland on Sunday
Local time
9:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
52°F
Lawrence, MA
18 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
17 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
46m 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 Lewiston, ME to Portland, ME covers 35.4 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Maine Turnpike, Washington Street, Forest Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.7 miles from Lewiston, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.67 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 demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 35.4 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: near the start (ME 126 / Sabattus Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 14.1 miles (I 95 / Maine Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Lewiston, ME to Portland, ME does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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