Trip from South Portland, ME to Denmark, ME

Drive Time

1h 10m

Distance

46.2 mi

74 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 5m ★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 22m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 21m
8 PM
1h 7m

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 Denmark, ME, ME

Denmark, ME

Christian Himmel

Trip Overview

If you are looking to escape South Portland for the hills of Denmark, Maine, this 46.2-mile journey is a straightforward trek that takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. It is a classic local drive that fits perfectly into a single day, leaving you plenty of time to explore once you arrive. You should budget approximately $7 for fuel to cover the trip, making it an affordable excursion for a quick getaway. Because the route stays entirely within the Northeast region, you won't face major climate shifts or complex navigation. Whether you are heading out for a weekend retreat or a quick change of scenery, the simplicity of this trip makes it a reliable choice for any traveler.

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

23.1 miles from South Portland, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will spend your time navigating local roads like Forest Avenue and Bridgton Road, which keeps the driving experience engaging and active. A significant portion of your time behind the wheel will be spent on the Roosevelt Trail, which offers a longest uninterrupted stretch of 24.7 miles. Since the profile is defined by constant turns, you will want to stay alert and enjoy the rhythm of the local roads. Transitioning from the coastal vicinity of South Portland into the inland landscape, the road maintains a steady, hands-on pace that requires your full attention.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Roosevelt Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 24.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Broadway.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from South Portland, ME to Denmark, ME is easy. At 1h 10m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broadway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.3 miles (ME 77 / High Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.5 miles (US 302 / Roosevelt Trail): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 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

3
2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in | ME 77 / High Street

Turn left onto ME 77 / High Street

Navigation decision point

4
15.5 mi into trip | ~23m in | US 302 / Roosevelt Trail

Enter roundabout onto US 302 / Roosevelt Trail

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4
38.8 mi into trip | ~57m in | Sandy Creek Road

Turn left onto Sandy Creek Road

Navigation decision point

4
39.5 mi into trip | ~58m in | South High Street

At end of road, turn left onto South High Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Roosevelt Trail 24.7 mi 35m
Forest Avenue 4.4 mi 5m
Bridgton Road 3.8 mi 7m
East Main Street 3.6 mi 6m
South High Street 3.1 mi 5m
Portland Road 2.8 mi 3m
Casco Bay Bridge 1.1 mi 1m
Broadway 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Roosevelt Trail — 24.7 mi, about 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

4.4 mi · 5 min · Forest Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Continue on US 302

3.8 mi · 7 min · Bridgton Road
8

Continue on US 302

4.2 mi · 4 min · Roosevelt Trail
9

Enter roundabout onto US 302

290 ft · 10 sec · Roosevelt Trail
10

Continue on US 302

20 mi · 30 min · Roosevelt Trail
Use the straight lane.
11

Continue on US 302

2.8 mi · 3 min · Portland Road
12

Turn left onto Sandy Creek Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Sandy Creek Road
13

At end of road, turn left onto South High Street

3.1 mi · 5 min · South High Street
14

Continue on East Main Street

3.6 mi · 6 min · East Main Street
15

Arrive at destination

ME117

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 46.2-mile distance in one go, as there are no mandated stops required to manage fatigue. Keep in mind that the Roosevelt Trail serves as your primary artery, so monitor your speed as you move between different local zones. Because you won't be dealing with high-speed highway traffic, take the opportunity to enjoy the local pace without the pressure of a long-haul commute. Planning your departure around peak local traffic hours will ensure a smoother experience as you navigate the turns leading toward Denmark.

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 23.1 miles from South Portland, ME, or about 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.7 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 46.2 miles or 1h 10m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 23.1 miles or 34m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denmark, 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 46.2 miles and 1h 10m.

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 Roosevelt Trail for about 24.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 23.1 mi from South Portland, ME · 34m into the drive

Downtown Lawrence, MA, MA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lawrence, MA

23 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

Boston, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lawrence, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 23.1 miles from South Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Denmark, ME

The final approach into Denmark, 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 Denmark, 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

$7.40 one way

$14.79 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $8.11 $16.21
premium $4.83 $8.78 $17.56
diesel $5.64 $10.26 $20.53

Estimated Tolls: $7.00

Bay Bridge $7.00

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

$7

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 16.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 13.9 0 $4.85 $2.22
Efficient EV 11.6 0 $4.04 $1.85
EV Truck/SUV 18.5 0 $6.47 $2.96

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (69% 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

8:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

--

Unavailable

Destination

Denmark, ME

Evening in Denmark on Sunday

Local time

8:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

52°F

Lawrence, MA

23 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

1h 10m 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 Denmark, ME covers 46.2 miles and takes about 1h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Roosevelt Trail, Forest Avenue, Bridgton Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.1 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 $7.40 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.
The drive from South Portland, ME to Denmark, ME is easy. At 1h 10m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broadway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.3 miles (ME 77 / High Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.5 miles (US 302 / Roosevelt Trail): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from South Portland, ME to Denmark, ME does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Denmark, ME to South Portland, ME

Plan the drive back the other way.

46.2 mi 1h 10m

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

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