Drive Time
2h 47m
Distance
132.5 mi
213 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
The drive from South Portland, ME to Charleston, ME covers 132.5 miles and takes about 2h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Broadway, Casco Bay Bridge, York Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.00 one way before food or hotel costs.
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 23m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 47m drive with frequent turns across 132.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Broadway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Casco Bay Bridge | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| York Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| High Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 295 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Maine Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| ME 11 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ox Bow Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between South Portland, ME and Charleston, ME.
Start on Pine Street
Turn sharp left onto Broadway
Continue on Casco Bay Bridge
Turn straight onto York Street
Turn left onto High Street
Take the ramp slight right toward I 295 North, US 1 North: Falmouth
Merge slight left
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
Take the exit slight right toward ME 11, ME 100: Newport, Dexter
Keep slight left
Turn left onto Ox Bow Road
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Moosehead Trail
Exit the roundabout onto Moosehead Trail
Continue on Newport Road
Continue on Dexter Road
Turn right onto Exeter Road
Continue on Exeter Road
Continue on Exeter Road
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
Continue on Dover Road
Turn right onto Main Road
Turn left onto School Road
Turn sharp left
Arrive at your destination
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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.3 miles or 1h 23m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, 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 132.5 miles and 2h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.3 mi from South Portland, ME · 1h 23m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 66.3 miles from South Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$18.00 one way
$35.99 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $20.08 | $40.17 |
| premium | $4.15 | $21.65 | $43.30 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $19.56 | $39.12 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$18
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.4 kg one way.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in South Portland on Saturday
Local time
11:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Charleston on Saturday
Local time
11:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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
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.
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