The drive from Portland, ME to Stonington, ME covers 159.7 miles and takes about 3h 33m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 295, Route 3, Maine Turnpike for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.3 miles on I 295.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.71 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.8 miles from Portland, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 159.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Portland, ME to Stonington, ME covers 159.7 miles and takes about 3h 33m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 44 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
351 ft11 ft
Total Climb
567 ft
Total Descent
570 ft
Highest Point
351 ft
~79.8 mi in
Elevation Range
340 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Elm Street.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 159.7 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 (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 17 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.
5
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|I 295; US 1
Merge onto I 295; US 1
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
57.2 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 113
Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
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 Stonington, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
Belfast
57.2 mi in|~1h 5m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
46.3 mi
52m
Route 3
17.6 mi
21m
Maine Turnpike
9.8 mi
10m
North Belfast Avenue
8.1 mi
11m
Acadia Highway
7.3 mi
8m
West Main Street
7 mi
8m
East Main Street
6.3 mi
7m
North Penobscot Road
5 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 46.3 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portland, ME and Stonington, 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
9.8 mi·10 min·Maine Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·26 sec
Exit 113Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
10
Merge onto ME 3
2.5 mi·3 min·Augusta Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi·11 min·North Belfast Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi·16 sec·Belfast Road
13
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
18 mi·21 min·Route 3
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Acadia Highway
15
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi·3 min·Belfast Augusta Road West
16
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi·5 min·Augusta Road
17
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Belmont Avenue
18
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi·43 sec·ME 3
19
Merge onto US 1; ME 3
0.7 mi·1 min·Route 1
20
Continue on US 1; ME 3
2.7 mi·4 min·Searsport Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 1; ME 3
7.0 mi·8 min·West Main Street
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3
6.3 mi·7 min·East Main Street
23
Continue on US 1; ME 3
1.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 1
24
Continue on US 1; ME 3
508 ft·12 sec·Route 1
25
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
1.0 mi·1 min·Route 1
26
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
3.4 mi·3 min·Acadia Highway
27
Turn right onto ME 15
3.7 mi·5 min·Front Ridge Road
Use the right lane.
28
Turn right onto ME 199
5.0 mi·8 min·North Penobscot Road
29
At end of road, turn left onto ME 175
4.6 mi·8 min·Southern Bay Road
30
Continue on ME 175
2.6 mi·4 min·Graytown Road
31
Continue on ME 15
2.9 mi·5 min·Snows Cove Road
32
Continue on ME 15; ME 175
2.9 mi·5 min·Caterpillar Hill Road
33
At end of road, turn right onto ME 15
1.3 mi·2 min·Byards Point Road
34
Continue on ME 15
0.5 mi·50 sec·Deer Isle Sedgwick Bridge
35
Continue on ME 15
1.0 mi·1 min·Little Deer Isle Road
36
Continue on ME 15
4.6 mi·8 min·North Deer Isle Road
37
Continue on ME 15
0.5 mi·51 sec·Church Street
38
Continue on ME 15
3.5 mi·6 min·South Deer Isle Road
39
Continue on ME 15
1.5 mi·2 min·North Main Street
40
Continue on ME 15
0.1 mi·10 sec·Thurlows Hill Road
41
Continue on ME 15
0.2 mi·25 sec·Main Street
42
Turn right onto School Street
335 ft·14 sec·School Street
43
Turn left onto Church Street
113 ft·5 sec·Church Street
44
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.8 miles from Portland, ME, or about 1h 36m 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 35 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.8 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stonington, 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 159.7 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Portland, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
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 79.8 mi from Portland, ME
· 1h 36m into the drive
The midpoint is around 79.8 miles from Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Stonington, ME
The final approach into Stonington, 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 Stonington, 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 38.5
Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
$6
near mile 143.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.71 one way
$51.42 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$28.29
$56.57
premium
$4.86
$30.58
$61.16
diesel
$5.61
$35.26
$70.52
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Maine Turnpike
(9.8 mi)$0.59
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
$26
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.9
0
$16.77
$7.67
Efficient EV
39.9
0
$13.97
$6.39
EV Truck/SUV
63.9
0
$22.36
$10.22
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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
Afternoon
in Portland on Saturday
Local time
12:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Stonington, ME
Afternoon
in Stonington on Saturday
Local time
12:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
34°F
Brooks, ME
80 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
12 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
3h 33m 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 Stonington, ME covers 159.7 miles and takes about 3h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 295, Route 3, Maine Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.8 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 $25.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 159.7 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 (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 Stonington, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 11 ft to 351 ft elevation with about 567 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Frances Perkins National Monument and Acadia National Park.
