Road Trips from Portland, ME
Portland sets you up for a variety of day trips. You've got options that keep you close, like a quick 1.1-hour drive to Wiscasset with its nearby parks, or longer excursions that go further into Maine. Several routes offer a higher drive score, indicating more engaging driving, and many include access to parks, like the Frances Perkins National Monument, or even Acadia National Park on the longer hauls. Whether you want a short loop or a full day's adventure, Portland's surrounding routes offer choices.
Total Routes
24
Shortest
0.3h
With Parks Nearby
11
Under 2 hours
17 total in this range
Rockport, ME
1h 54m79.6 mi one way
This 1.9-hour trip to Rockport offers a solid 9 drive score with a mix of highway and surface roads. It's a good choice if you want to get out for a few hours and have access to parks like the Frances Perkins National Monument, without committing to an overnight stay.
Rumford, ME
1h 43m76.3 mi one way
For a drive focused on terrain, Rumford is notable for its mostly flat landscape over 76.3 miles and 1.7 hours. It has a high drive score of 9, but unlike many other options, it doesn't list any nearby parks.
Wiscasset, ME
1h 3m44.8 mi one way
This is one of your closest options at just 1.1 hours and 44.8 miles. The drive profile is mostly highway, with a good drive score of 8, and it provides access to parks such as the Frances Perkins National Monument.
Chisholm, ME
1h 18m63.2 mi one way
This 1.3-hour drive to Chisholm covers 63.2 miles with a mixed drive profile and a strong drive score of 9. It's a solid day trip option if you're looking for engagement on the road, though it doesn't list nearby parks.
Readfield, ME
1h 19m60.4 mi one way
Full-day getaway
Guilford, ME
2h 35m128.5 mi one way
Guilford is a comparable option to Charleston, also offering a 2.6-hour drive over 128.5 miles with a highway-focused profile and a drive score of 9. It provides access to parks like the Frances Perkins National Monument.
Addison, ME
3h 58m183.8 mi one way
This is one of your longest day trip options at 4 hours and 183.8 miles, featuring a mostly highway profile and a drive score of 9. It stands out by offering access to both Acadia National Park and the Frances Perkins National Monument.
Hope, ME
2h 3m87.8 mi one way
Hope is a 2.1-hour drive covering 87.8 miles. This route has a mixed drive profile and a high drive score of 9. It's a good choice for a day trip that includes access to the Frances Perkins National Monument.
Belfast, ME
2h 3m102.7 mi one way
Surry, ME
2h 53m138.7 mi one way
Weekend trip
Calais, ME
4h 34m224.1 mi one way
Calais is a significant journey at 4.6 hours and 224.1 miles, primarily on highways with a drive score of 8. It's notable for offering access to both Acadia National Park and the Frances Perkins National Monument.
Madawaska, ME
5h 54m303.5 mi one way
This is your longest route, a 5.9-hour drive covering 303.5 miles on mostly highway. It boasts a drive score of 8 and provides access to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and the Frances Perkins National Monument.
Browse by Mood
Guilford, ME
2h 35m128.5 mi one way
Addison, ME
3h 58m183.8 mi one way
Hope, ME
2h 3m87.8 mi one way
Rockport, ME
1h 54m79.6 mi one way
Addison, ME
3h 58m183.8 mi one way
Rockport, ME
1h 54m79.6 mi one way
Belfast, ME
2h 3m102.7 mi one way
Rumford, ME
1h 43m76.3 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring drives can take advantage of routes with nearby parks like Frances Perkins National Monument, offering a good drive score as the landscape awakens.
Summer
Summer is ideal for the longer drives to places like Addison or Calais, which include access to Acadia National Park, offering high drive scores.
Fall
The mixed highway and surface drives, like the one to Rockport, are great for fall colors, with parks nearby for exploration.
Winter
While no specific winter routes are highlighted, the shorter, highway-focused drives to places like Wiscasset or Berwick are feasible for day trips.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Portland, ME city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.