Trip from South Portland, ME to Fort Kent, ME

Drive Time

6h 27m

Distance

316.9 mi

510 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 16m ★

6 AM

6h 28m

8 AM

6h 53m

10 AM

6h 37m

12 PM

6h 34m

3 PM

6h 38m

5 PM

6h 51m

8 PM

6h 21m

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, ME

Phil Evenden

Fort Kent, ME

Esteban Carriazo

Trip Overview

The drive from South Portland, ME to Fort Kent, ME covers 316.9 miles and takes about 6h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Maine Turnpike, I 295, Aroostook Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 160.7 miles on Maine Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.73 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

158.4 miles from South Portland, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 27m highway drive covering 316.9 miles, with most of the trip on Maine Turnpike and I 295. The longest continuous stretch is about 160.7 miles on Maine Turnpike.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 29 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 160.7 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

The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 27m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broadway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles (I 295; US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Broadway

Turn sharp left onto Broadway

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

3.1 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the ramp toward I 295 North, US 1 North: Falmouth

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 295 North, US 1 North: Falmouth

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 straight / slight right lanes.

210.9 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in

Take the exit toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten

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

Exit 264 Toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten

211.2 mi into trip | ~3h 49m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from South Portland, ME to Fort Kent, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Patten along the way.

Patten

210.9 mi in | ~3h 48m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Maine Turnpike	160.7 mi	2h 49m
I 295	46.8 mi	53m
Aroostook Road	30.6 mi	45m
Aroostook Scenic Highway	30.2 mi	44m
Portage Road	15.3 mi	22m
Masardis Road	11.7 mi	17m
Station Road	5.2 mi	7m
North Road	4.4 mi	6m

Longest stretch: Maine Turnpike — 160.7 mi, about 2h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Pine Street

60 ft · 9 sec · Pine Street

Turn sharp left onto Broadway

1.0 mi · 1 min · Broadway

Continue on ME 77

1.1 mi · 1 min · Casco Bay Bridge

Turn straight onto ME 77

0.1 mi · 18 sec · York Street

Turn left onto ME 77

0.9 mi · 1 min · High Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 295 North, US 1 North: Falmouth

Merge onto I 295; US 1

47 mi · 53 min · I 295; US 1

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 95

161 mi · 2 hr 49 min · Maine Turnpike

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 264 Toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten

Keep slight left at fork

70 ft · 2 sec

Turn left onto Main Street

0.4 mi · 32 sec · Main Street

Continue on Station Road

1.7 mi · 2 min · Station Road

Continue on Route 11

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Route 11

Continue on ME 11

3.5 mi · 5 min · Station Road

Continue on ME 11

3.2 mi · 4 min · South Patten Road

Continue on ME 11

1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Continue on ME 11

4.4 mi · 6 min · North Road

Continue on ME 11

30 mi · 44 min · Aroostook Scenic Highway

Continue on ME 11

12 mi · 17 min · Masardis Road

Continue on ME 11

0.4 mi · 42 sec · Main Street

Turn left onto ME 11

0.8 mi · 1 min · Station Street

At end of road, turn right onto ME 11

15 mi · 22 min · Portage Road

Continue on ME 11

31 mi · 45 min · Aroostook Road

Continue on ME 11

0.6 mi · 1 min · Pleasant Street

Turn right onto Bridge Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Bridge Street

Turn left onto ME 161

1.3 mi · 1 min · Market Street

Turn right onto US 1

301 ft · 10 sec · East Main Street

Turn right onto Highland Avenue

88 ft · 4 sec · Highland Avenue

Arrive at destination

Highland Avenue

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 158.4 miles from South Portland, ME, or about 2h 53m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 160.7 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 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 158.4 miles or 2h 53m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Kent, 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 316.9 miles and 6h 27m.

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 160.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 158.4 mi from South Portland, ME · 2h 53m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lincoln, ME

158 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.

Lincoln, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 158.4 miles from South Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Fort Kent, ME

The final approach into Fort Kent, 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 Fort Kent, ME.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

National Monument

Spread across a wild landscape offering spectacular views of Katahdin, Katahdin Woods and Waters invites discovery of its rivers, streams, woods, flora, fauna, geology, and the night skies that have a...

13 mi from route ~31 min detour Free near mile 218.5

Park Closure: Loop Road and North Entrance Seasonal Closures

Park Closure: Katahdin Overlook Construction Closure

View on nps.gov

Frances Perkins National Monument

National Monument

Known as the first woman to hold a presidential cabinet position and the “Woman behind the New Deal,” Frances Perkins championed many labor rights that Americans enjoy today, including safety standard...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free near mile 43.7

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.73 one way

$101.46 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.46	$55.61	$111.21
premium	$4.83	$60.24	$120.47
diesel	$5.64	$70.40	$140.81

Estimated Tolls: $16.64

Maine Turnpike (160.7 mi) $9.64

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

$51

Tolls

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$92–$117

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	95.1	1	$33.27	$15.21
Efficient EV	79.2	0	$27.73	$12.68
EV Truck/SUV	126.8	1	$44.37	$20.28

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 3 days ago

Origin

South Portland, ME

Late night in South Portland on Monday

Local time

3:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

Unavailable

Destination

Fort Kent, ME

Late night in Fort Kent on Monday

Local time

3:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

31°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

42°F

Lincoln, ME

158 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

6h 27m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Fort Kent, ME covers 316.9 miles and takes about 6h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Maine Turnpike, I 295, Aroostook 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 158.4 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 $50.73 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 27m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

On the drive from South Portland, ME to Fort Kent, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Patten along the way.

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Trip from South Portland, ME to Fort Kent, ME

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Fort Kent, ME

National Parks Near This Route

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Frances Perkins National Monument

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

South Portland, ME

Fort Kent, ME

Same local time

6h 27m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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