Origin
Portland, ME
Afternoon in Portland on Thursday
Local time
3:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 48m
Distance
95.4 mi
154 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portland, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Pittsfield, ME
Brady Wilson
This straightforward 95.4-mile drive from Portland to Pittsfield, Maine, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes. With 98% of the journey on highways, including the Maine Turnpike and I-295, expect a predominantly fast-paced experience. The estimated fuel cost for this Northeast to Northeast stretch is around $15, making it an economical option. Given its efficiency and short duration, this route is ideal for a quick transfer or a dedicated day trip without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.7 miles from Portland, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 95.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
This drive is overwhelmingly a highway-focused experience, with nearly all 95.4 miles covered on major arteries like the Maine Turnpike and I-295. You'll encounter one long, uninterrupted stretch of 46.8 miles on the Maine Turnpike, indicating sustained high-speed travel. While the majority is highway, the final approach into Pittsfield might involve Somerset Avenue, hinting at a slight transition towards local roads as you near your destination. Expect a consistent, efficient pace for the bulk of your journey.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
450 ft
Total Descent
316 ft
Highest Point
270 ft
~61.3 mi in
Elevation Range
236 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and I 295. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Elm Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 48m 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: 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Elm Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 1A / Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 295; US 1
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Pittsfield, Hartland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Turnpike | 46.8 mi | 51m |
| I 295 | 46.3 mi | 52m |
| Somerset Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Franklin Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Cumberland Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| US 1A | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Forest Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Central Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Portland, ME and Pittsfield, ME.
Start on Congress Street
Turn left onto Elm Street
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
Turn left onto US 1A
Take the ramp onto US 1A
Merge onto I 295; US 1
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Somerset Avenue
Turn right onto Forest Street
At end of road, turn left onto Central Street
Arrive at destination
Given the short 1 hour and 48-minute duration, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Leaving early can help you avoid any potential commuter traffic as you begin on the Maine Turnpike. With no designated stops in the data, consider breaking up the 46.8-mile longest stretch on the Maine Turnpike with a brief rest stop for fuel or a quick stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $15 estimated cost suggests a straightforward fill-up should suffice for this trip.
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.
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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.7 miles or 55m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pittsfield, ME than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Portland, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Portland, ME
This is one driving day of about 95.4 miles and 1h 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.7 mi from Portland, ME · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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.
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 47.7 miles from Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Pittsfield, 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.
Regular Gas
$15.36 one way
$30.72 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $16.90 | $33.80 |
| premium | $4.86 | $18.27 | $36.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.06 | $42.13 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.81
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
$15
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.6 | 0 | $10.02 | $4.58 |
| Efficient EV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.35 | $3.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.36 | $6.11 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Portland on Thursday
Local time
3:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Pittsfield on Thursday
Local time
3:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
46°F
Brunswick, ME
48 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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