Origin
South Portland, ME
Evening in South Portland on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive 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
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Portland, ME
Phil Evenden
Canton, ME
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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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn sharp left onto Broadway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Turn left onto ME 26; ME 100 / Washington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North: Lewiston, Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
On the drive from South Portland, ME to Canton, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Augusta along the way.
Augusta
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between South Portland, ME and Canton, ME.
Start on Pine Street
Turn sharp left onto Broadway
Continue on ME 77
Turn straight onto ME 77
Turn left onto ME 77
Continue on ME 100
Take the exit
Turn slight right onto ME 100
Turn left onto ME 26; ME 100
Continue on ME 26; ME 100
Continue on ME 26; ME 100
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Take the exit
At end of road, turn left onto US 202; ME 4
Merge onto US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100
Continue on ME 4
Merge onto ME 4
Continue on ME 4
Continue on ME 4
Continue on ME 4
Turn left onto ME 108
Continue on Turner Road
Continue on ME 108
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 62.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 31.1 miles from South Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$9.97 one way
$19.95 round trip
| 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
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in South Portland on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Canton on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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.
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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