Trip from South Portland Gardens, ME to Union, ME

Drive Time

1h 49m

Distance

82.1 mi

132 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 41m ★

6 AM

1h 49m

8 AM

2h 5m

10 AM

1h 55m

12 PM

1h 53m

3 PM

1h 56m

5 PM

2h 4m

8 PM

1h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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South Portland Gardens, ME

Brett Sayles

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from South Portland Gardens to Union, expect a straightforward journey covering 82.1 miles. You will spend about 1 hour and 49 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. Your travel budget should account for approximately $13 in fuel costs for the one-way excursion. Navigating through the Northeast, you will transition from the busier suburban areas near South Portland into the quieter, inland landscapes of Maine. This route is ideal for those who prefer a single-day commitment over a multi-day haul, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.

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

41.1 miles from South Portland Gardens, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip offers a mixed driving profile that keeps things interesting as you transition between road types. You will spend 59% of your time on highways, beginning with a significant 48.7-mile stretch on I-295 that allows for steady cruising. As you move off the interstate, the journey continues along Augusta Road and Rockland Road, shifting the pace from high-speed highway travel to more moderate local roads. The contrast between these segments provides a nice variety for the driver, moving from the fast-paced interstate lanes to the more localized feel of the secondary roads. It is a balanced experience that blends efficient travel with the feeling of navigating the Maine countryside.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 27 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 48.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Westbrook Street.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 1h 49m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Westbrook Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (ME 9 / Western Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.4 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Westbrook Street

Turn right onto Westbrook Street

Navigation decision point

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | ME 9 / Western Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto ME 9 / Western Avenue

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 295

Merge onto I 295

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

50.1 mi into trip | ~59m in

Take the exit toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 51 Toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner

59.5 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in | ME 17 / Augusta Road

At end of road, turn right onto ME 17 / Augusta Road

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from South Portland Gardens, ME to Union, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Gardiner along the way.

Gardiner

50.1 mi in | ~59m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 295	48.7 mi	55m
Rockland Road	8.4 mi	11m
Augusta Road	5 mi	7m
Augusta-Rockland Road	4.1 mi	6m
Togus Road	3.7 mi	6m
Heald Highway	3.3 mi	4m
Windsor Street	1.7 mi	3m
Lewiston Road	1.2 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 295 — 48.7 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Portland Gardens, ME and Union, ME.

Start on Devereaux Circle

0.2 mi · 50 sec · Devereaux Circle

Turn right onto Westbrook Street

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Westbrook Street

At end of road, turn left onto ME 9

208 ft · 7 sec · Western Avenue

Continue on ME 9

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Westbrook Street

Take the ramp

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 295 North: Portland

Merge onto I 295

49 mi · 55 min · I 295

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec

Exit 51 Toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner

Turn right onto ME 9; ME 126

1.1 mi · 1 min · Lewiston Road

Continue on Cobbossee Avenue

0.7 mi · 59 sec · Cobbossee Avenue

Continue on Lewiston Road

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Lewiston Road

Continue on Central Street

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Central Street

Turn straight onto Water Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · Water Street

Turn left onto US 201

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Bridge Street

At end of road, turn right onto ME 27; ME 126

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Water Street

Turn left onto ME 226

1.7 mi · 3 min · Windsor Street

Continue on ME 226

3.7 mi · 6 min · Togus Road

At end of road, turn right onto ME 17

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Augusta Road

Continue on ME 17

1.1 mi · 1 min · Eastern Avenue

Continue on ME 17

0.9 mi · 1 min · Augusta Road

Continue on ME 17

4.1 mi · 6 min · Augusta-Rockland Road

Continue on ME 17; ME 32

1.3 mi · 1 min · Rockland Road

Continue on ME 17; ME 32

4.9 mi · 6 min · Rockland Road

Continue on ME 17

3.5 mi · 4 min · Augusta Road

Continue on ME 17

2.2 mi · 3 min · Rockland Road

Continue on ME 17

3.3 mi · 4 min · Heald Highway

Turn right onto Common Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Common Road

Arrive at destination

Common Road

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 49-minute drive, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility. You can easily complete the entire 82.1-mile distance without needing to plan for formal rest stops, though it is always wise to fuel up before merging onto I-295 to avoid any mid-trip stress. Because the route relies heavily on major arteries like Augusta Road, keep an eye on traffic reports if you are departing during peak commuting hours. Given the $13 estimated fuel cost, you won't need to worry much about your budget, allowing you to focus on the road ahead. Try to time your departure to avoid the morning or evening rush on the highway segments to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted ride.

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 41.1 miles from South Portland Gardens, ME, or about 49m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.7 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 41.1 miles or 49m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union, ME than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving South Portland Gardens, 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 South Portland Gardens, ME

This is one driving day of about 82.1 miles and 1h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from South Portland Gardens, 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 I 295 for about 48.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 41.1 mi from South Portland Gardens, ME · 49m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Scarborough, ME

41 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

Brunswick, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

West Scarborough, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.1 miles from South Portland Gardens, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Union, ME

The final approach into Union, 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 Union, 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

$13.14 one way

$26.28 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.46	$14.41	$28.81
premium	$4.83	$15.61	$31.21
diesel	$5.64	$18.24	$36.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	24.6	$8.62	$3.94
Efficient EV	20.5	$7.18	$3.28
EV Truck/SUV	32.8	$11.49	$5.25

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

South Portland Gardens, ME

Evening in South Portland Gardens on Sunday

Local time

8:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Union, ME

Evening in Union on Sunday

Local time

8:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

1 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

1h 49m 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 South Portland Gardens, ME to Union, ME covers 82.1 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 295, Rockland Road, Augusta Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 41.1 miles from South Portland Gardens, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.14 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 straightforward 1h 49m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

On the drive from South Portland Gardens, ME to Union, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Gardiner along the way.

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