The drive from Portland, ME to Dixmont, ME covers 102.6 miles and takes about 2h 9m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 295, Maine Turnpike, Bangor Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.3 miles on I 295.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.52 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.
Midpoint
51.3 miles from Portland, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 102.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 9m highway drive covering 102.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 46.3 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 23 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 46.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Elm Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.6 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Cumberland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 1A / Franklin Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Elm Street
Turn left onto Elm Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Cumberland Avenue
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|US 1A / Franklin Street
Turn left onto US 1A / Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
76.6 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward ME 139: Fairfield, Benton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 132
Toward ME 139: Fairfield, Benton
6
78 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|Lawrence Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Lawrence Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Portland, ME to Dixmont, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Benton along the way.
Benton
76.6 mi in|~1h 27m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
46.3 mi
52m
Maine Turnpike
29.3 mi
32m
Bangor Road
8.6 mi
12m
Unity Road
6 mi
9m
Western Avenue
2.4 mi
4m
State Route 139
2.2 mi
3m
Waterville Road
2.2 mi
3m
Neck Road
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 46.3 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portland, ME and Dixmont, ME.
1
Start on Congress Street
131 ft·11 sec·Congress Street
2
Turn left onto Elm Street
519 ft·22 sec·Elm Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·Cumberland Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto US 1A
0.4 mi·36 sec·Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp onto US 1A
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 1A
6
Merge onto I 295; US 1
46 mi·52 min·I 295; US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 95
29 mi·32 min·Maine Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 132Toward ME 139: Fairfield, Benton
9
Turn right onto ME 139
0.9 mi·2 min·Western Avenue
10
Turn right onto Newhall Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Newhall Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto Lawrence Avenue
498 ft·15 sec·Lawrence Avenue
12
Continue on ME 11; ME 100; ME 139
0.5 mi·1 min·Bridge Street
13
Continue on ME 11; ME 100; ME 139
1.7 mi·3 min·Neck Road
14
Turn left onto ME 11; ME 100; ME 139
460 ft·12 sec·Clinton Avenue
15
Turn right onto ME 139
0.2 mi·35 sec·Sebasticook Bridge Road
16
Turn left onto ME 139
6.0 mi·9 min·Unity Road
17
Continue on ME 139
2.2 mi·3 min·State Route 139
18
Continue on ME 139
2.2 mi·3 min·Waterville Road
19
Continue on ME 139
1.1 mi·2 min·School Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 202; ME 9; ME 139
0.5 mi·40 sec·Main Street
21
Continue on US 202; ME 9
8.6 mi·12 min·Bangor Road
22
Continue on US 202; ME 9
1.5 mi·2 min·Western Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
US 202; ME 9
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 51.3 miles from Portland, ME, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.3 miles or 59m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dixmont, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving 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 Portland, ME
This is one driving day of about 102.6 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Portland, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 46.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.3 mi from Portland, ME
· 59m into the drive
The midpoint is around 51.3 miles from Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dixmont, ME
The final approach into Dixmont, 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 Dixmont, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Frances Perkins National Monument
National Monument
Known as the first woman to hold a presidential cabinet position and the “Woman behind the New Deal,” Frances Perkins championed many labor rights that Americans enjoy today, including safety standard...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 35.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.52 one way
$33.03 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$18.17
$36.35
premium
$4.86
$19.65
$39.29
diesel
$5.61
$22.65
$45.31
Estimated Tolls: $1.76
Maine Turnpike
(29.3 mi)$1.76
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
$17
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.8
0
$10.77
$4.92
Efficient EV
25.7
0
$8.98
$4.10
EV Truck/SUV
41
0
$14.36
$6.57
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Portland, ME
Night
in Portland on Friday
Local time
9:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dixmont, ME
Night
in Dixmont on Friday
Local time
9:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
16 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 9m 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 Portland, ME to Dixmont, ME covers 102.6 miles and takes about 2h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 295, Maine Turnpike, Bangor 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 51.3 miles from Portland, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.52 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 102.6 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Cumberland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 1A / Franklin Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Portland, ME to Dixmont, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Benton along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Frances Perkins National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
