Trip from South Portland, ME to Canton, ME

Drive Time

1h 20m

Distance

62.3 mi

100 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min
4 AM
1h 15m ★
6 AM
1h 21m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 24m
3 PM
1h 26m
5 PM
1h 33m
8 PM
1h 17m

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

Downtown South Portland, ME, ME

South Portland, ME

Phil Evenden

Downtown Canton, ME, ME

Canton, ME

PhotoShoot Studio | Candid, Birthday Pre Wedding, Baby, Maternity & Child Photographer in Pune Ps Studio

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from South Portland to Canton, you are looking at a manageable 62.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Expect to spend roughly $10 on fuel for the round trip, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including the Maine Turnpike, Washington Street, and Auburn Road, to complete the trek. Since both cities are located within the Northeast region, the transition between them feels like a natural progression through the Maine landscape. It is a straightforward drive that offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule.

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

31.1 miles from South Portland, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a varied driving experience that blends high-speed transit with local navigation. You will spend about 36% of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 22.2 miles along the Maine Turnpike. Once you exit the turnpike, the character of the road shifts significantly as you transition onto Auburn Road and Washington Street. This mixed-drive profile keeps you alert, moving from the steady pace of the turnpike to the more localized traffic patterns of the secondary roads. The route provides a balanced feel, transitioning from the busier corridors of the south toward the more inland environment of Canton.

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.
Maine Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 22.2 miles.

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 Broadway.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 62.3 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 (Broadway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 6.3 miles (ME 26; ME 100 / Washington Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Broadway

Turn sharp left onto Broadway

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

5
6.3 mi into trip | ~10m in | ME 26; ME 100 / Washington Avenue

Turn left onto ME 26; ME 100 / Washington Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
8.7 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
8.8 mi into trip | ~16m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North: Lewiston, Augusta

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 95 North: Lewiston, Augusta
5
31.2 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward US 202, ME 4, ME 100: Auburn

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

Toward US 202, ME 4, ME 100: Auburn

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from South Portland, ME to Canton, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Augusta along the way.

Augusta

8.8 mi in | ~16m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Maine Turnpike 22.2 mi 23m
Auburn Road 12.7 mi 14m
Washington Street 4.2 mi 6m
Turner Road 3.1 mi 3m
Turner Street 3 mi 4m
Center Street 2.9 mi 3m
Canton Road 2.6 mi 3m
Forest Avenue 2.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Maine Turnpike — 22.2 mi, about 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Pine Street

60 ft · 9 sec · Pine Street
2

Turn sharp left onto Broadway

1.0 mi · 1 min · Broadway
3

Continue on ME 77

1.1 mi · 1 min · Casco Bay Bridge
4

Turn straight onto ME 77

0.1 mi · 18 sec · York Street
5

Turn left onto ME 77

0.8 mi · 1 min · High Street
6

Continue on ME 100

2.4 mi · 3 min · Forest Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Take the exit

200 ft · 9 sec
8

Turn slight right onto ME 100

0.8 mi · 1 min · Allen Avenue
9

Turn left onto ME 26; ME 100

262 ft · 7 sec · Washington Avenue
Use the left lane.
10

Continue on ME 26; ME 100

1.7 mi · 4 min · Auburn Street
Use the left / none lanes.
11

Continue on ME 26; ME 100

0.6 mi · 1 min · Gray Road
12

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 41 sec
Use the left lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 95 North: Lewiston, Augusta
14

Merge onto I 95

14 mi · 15 min · Maine Turnpike
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

8.1 mi · 8 min · Maine Turnpike
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward US 202, ME 4, ME 100: Auburn
17

At end of road, turn left onto US 202; ME 4

4.2 mi · 6 min · Washington Street
18

Merge onto US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100

0.5 mi · 38 sec · Minot Avenue
19

Continue on ME 4

0.4 mi · 30 sec · Union Street Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Merge onto ME 4

2.9 mi · 3 min · Center Street
Use the straight lane.
21

Continue on ME 4

2.9 mi · 3 min · Turner Road
22

Continue on ME 4

13 mi · 14 min · Auburn Road
23

Continue on ME 4

1.2 mi · 1 min · Federal Road
24

Turn left onto ME 108

2.6 mi · 3 min · Canton Road
25

Continue on Turner Road

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Turner Road
26

Continue on ME 108

3.0 mi · 4 min · Turner Street
27

Arrive at destination

ME 108

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short 1 hour and 20-minute drive, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility. You can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to plan for formal rest stops, though you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving South Portland to avoid unnecessary detours. Aim to depart outside of peak commuting hours to ensure the smoothest transit through the Auburn Road section of your route. Keep your $10 fuel budget in mind as you plan your day, as this covers the essentials for your 62.3-mile trek. Since you won't be spending much time on the road, use the extra time at your destination to explore Canton at your own pace.

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 31.1 miles from South Portland, ME, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.2 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 62.3 miles or 1h 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 31.1 miles or 40m 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 8m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving South 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 South Portland, ME

This is one driving day of about 62.3 miles and 1h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from South Portland, 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 Maine Turnpike for about 22.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 31.1 mi from South Portland, ME · 40m into the drive

Downtown West Scarborough, ME, ME

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Scarborough, ME

31 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.

Popular next leg

West Scarborough, ME to Canton, ME

66.5 mi · 1h 22m

Pacing Suggestions

West Scarborough, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

West Scarborough, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 31.1 miles from South Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Canton, ME

The final approach into Canton, 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 Canton, 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

$9.97 one way

$19.95 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 22 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $10.93 $21.86
premium $4.83 $11.84 $23.68
diesel $5.64 $13.84 $27.68

Estimated Tolls: $8.34

Bay Bridge $7.00
Maine Turnpike (22.2 mi) $1.34

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

$10

Tolls

$8

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 21.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 18.7 0 $6.54 $2.99
Efficient EV 15.6 0 $5.45 $2.49
EV Truck/SUV 24.9 0 $8.72 $3.99

Gas CO2

22 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (68% 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, ME

Evening in South Portland on Sunday

Local time

7:23 PM

EDT

Current temp

--

Unavailable

Destination

Canton, ME

Evening in Canton on Sunday

Local time

7:23 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°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.

Road read

1h 20m 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, ME to Canton, ME covers 62.3 miles and takes about 1h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Maine Turnpike, Auburn Road, Washington Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.1 miles from South Portland, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.97 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 demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 62.3 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 (Broadway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 6.3 miles (ME 26; ME 100 / Washington Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from South Portland, ME to Canton, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Augusta along the way.

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Return Trip

Canton, ME to South Portland, ME

Plan the drive back the other way.

62.9 mi 1h 20m

Explore more options from South Portland, ME or browse trips ending in Canton, ME.

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