Origin
Palermo, ME
Late night in Palermo on Thursday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palermo, ME to South Portland, ME
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
77.3 mi
124 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Portland, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Palermo, ME to South Portland, ME covers 77.3 miles and takes about 1h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 295, ME 3, Maine Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.5 miles on I 295. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.44 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
38.7 miles from Palermo, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 1h 40m highway drive covering 77.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 295 and ME 3. The longest continuous stretch is about 46.5 miles on I 295.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 46.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and ME 3. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near ME 3.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (ME 3): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles (US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
ME 3
At end of road, turn right onto ME 3
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
15.7 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue
Turn left onto US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
20.3 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
9
26.8 mi into trip
|
~39m 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
73.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Palermo, ME and South Portland, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor, Kittery and Brunswick.
Waterville
19.9 mi in
|
~31m
Bangor
19.9 mi in
|
~31m
Kittery
20.3 mi in
|
~32m
Brunswick
26.8 mi in
|
~39m
|
via I 295
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 46.5 mi | 52m |
| ME 3 | 15 mi | 20m |
| Maine Turnpike | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| State Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Casco Bay Bridge | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Belfast Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| Broadway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Capitol Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 46.5 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palermo, ME and South Portland, ME.
1
Start on Branch Mills Road
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Branch Mills Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto ME 3
15 mi
·
20 min
·
ME 3
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto US 202; ME 9
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Belfast Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Bangor Street
5
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
159 ft
·
3 sec
·
Memorial Drive
6
Continue on US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Memorial Drive
7
Enter roundabout onto US 201; ME 27
401 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Street
8
Continue on US 201; ME 27
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
State Street
9
Turn right onto Capitol Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Capitol Street
10
Turn straight onto Armory Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Armory Street
11
Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Western Avenue
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
14
Merge onto I 95
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Maine Turnpike
15
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.
16
Take the exit onto US 1A
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1A
Exit 7
Toward US 1A
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Marginal Way
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Marginal Way
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on State Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
19
Continue on ME 77
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Casco Bay Bridge
20
Continue on ME 77
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
21
Turn sharp right onto Pine Street
60 ft
·
2 sec
·
Pine Street
22
Arrive at destination
Pine Street
Trip Plan
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 38.7 miles from Palermo, ME, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.5 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.7 miles or 53m 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 24m
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 Palermo, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Palermo, ME
This is one driving day of about 77.3 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Palermo, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 46.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.7 mi from Palermo, ME · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.7 miles from Palermo, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.44 one way
$24.89 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $13.69 | $27.38 |
| premium | $4.86 | $14.80 | $29.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.07 | $34.13 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.36
Bay Bridge
$7.00
Maine Turnpike
(5.9 mi)
$0.36
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
$12
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.12 | $3.71 |
| Efficient EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.76 | $3.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.9 | 0 | $10.82 | $4.95 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Late night in South Portland on Thursday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
46°F
Brunswick, ME
39 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 40m 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 Palermo, ME to South Portland, ME covers 77.3 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 295, ME 3, Maine Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.7 miles from Palermo, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.44 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (ME 3): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles (US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Palermo, ME and South Portland, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor, Kittery and Brunswick.
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