Origin
South Portland, ME
Night in South Portland on Sunday
Local time
9:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from South Portland, ME to Charleston, ME
Drive Time
2h 47m
Distance
132.5 mi
213 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 37m
★
6 AM
2h 48m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Portland, ME
Phil Evenden
Charleston, ME
Gera Cejas
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from South Portland to Charleston, expect a straightforward journey covering 132.5 miles across the state of Maine. With a driving time of approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize the Maine Turnpike, I-295, and Exeter Road to navigate between these two Northeast locations. Budgeting around $21 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way trip. Because of the manageable duration, there is no need to split this into an overnight stay, 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.3 miles from South Portland, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive keeps you moving efficiently, with 76% of the journey spent on major high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the Maine Turnpike, which features your longest uninterrupted stretch of 53.6 miles. As you transition from the interstate corridors onto Exeter Road, the character of the drive shifts from high-volume traffic to a more localized pace. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvers. Expect a consistent experience behind the wheel that allows you to cover the distance without significant navigational complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 53.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 Broadway.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 47m drive. You will face about 14 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 (Broadway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.4 miles (I 295; US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese 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
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 295; US 1
Merge onto I 295; US 1
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
103.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward ME 11, ME 100: Newport, Dexter
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 157
Toward ME 11, ME 100: Newport, Dexter
5
104.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
132.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from South Portland, ME to Charleston, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Dexter along the way.
Dexter
103.8 mi in
|
~1h 57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Turnpike | 53.6 mi | 58m |
| I 295 | 46.8 mi | 53m |
| Exeter Road | 15.7 mi | 27m |
| Moosehead Trail | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| Main Road | 4 mi | 7m |
| Main Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Newport Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Casco Bay Bridge | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 53.6 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Portland, ME and Charleston, 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
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 295 North, US 1 North: Falmouth
7
Merge onto I 295; US 1
47 mi
·
53 min
·
I 295; US 1
Use the none lane.
8
Merge onto I 95
54 mi
·
58 min
·
Maine Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 157
Toward ME 11, ME 100: Newport, Dexter
10
Keep slight left at fork
112 ft
·
6 sec
11
Turn left onto ME 11; ME 100
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ox Bow Road
Use the none lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto ME 7; ME 11
120 ft
·
2 sec
·
Moosehead Trail
13
Continue on ME 7; ME 11
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Moosehead Trail
14
Continue on ME 7; ME 11
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Newport Road
15
Continue on ME 7; ME 11; ME 43
416 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dexter Road
16
Turn right onto ME 11; ME 43
7.4 mi
·
13 min
·
Exeter Road
17
Continue on ME 11; ME 43
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Exeter Road
18
Continue on ME 11; ME 43
7.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Exeter Road
19
At end of road, turn left onto ME 11; ME 15; ME 43
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
20
Continue on ME 11; ME 15
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Dover Road
21
Turn right onto ME 11
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Main Road
22
Turn left onto School Road
174 ft
·
10 sec
·
School Road
23
Turn sharp left
53 ft
·
2 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 47-minute drive, try to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the busier highway sections. Since the route only requires one planned stop, you have the flexibility to choose a location that fits your schedule rather than being forced into a rigid itinerary. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when entering the final, more rural segments of the trip to ensure you aren't caught short. Because this is a relatively short haul, you can easily adapt your pace to match your energy levels. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prepare for the transition from the fast-paced Maine Turnpike to the secondary roads like Exeter Road, as the change in speed limits happens quickly.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.3 miles from South Portland, ME, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.6 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.3 miles or 1h 17m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, 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 132.5 miles and 2h 47m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Maine Turnpike for about 53.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.3 mi from South Portland, ME · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.3 miles from South Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Charleston, ME
The final approach into Charleston, 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 Charleston, 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
$21.21 one way
$42.42 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $23.25 | $46.50 |
| premium | $4.83 | $25.19 | $50.37 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.44 | $58.87 |
Estimated Tolls: $10.21
Bay Bridge
$7.00
Maine Turnpike
(53.6 mi)
$3.21
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
$21
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.91 | $6.36 |
| Efficient EV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.59 | $5.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53 | 0 | $18.55 | $8.48 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Charleston, ME
Night in Charleston on Sunday
Local time
9:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
43°F
Brunswick, ME
66 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.
Road read
2h 47m 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 Charleston, ME covers 132.5 miles and takes about 2h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Maine Turnpike, I 295, Exeter Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.3 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 $21.21 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.
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 straightforward 2h 47m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broadway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.4 miles (I 295; US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from South Portland, ME to Charleston, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Dexter along the way.
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