Origin
Brewer, ME
Late night in Brewer on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brewer, ME to Portland, ME
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
130.4 mi
210 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brewer, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Portland, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Brewer, ME to Portland, ME is 130 miles and takes about 2 hours 28 minutes via I-95 and I-295, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive entirely within Maine, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given its relatively short duration and high percentage on major interstates, it’s an efficient option for getting from point A to point B. You'll likely find it a practical choice for a quick trip, whether for business or leisure, with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
65.2 miles from Brewer, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 79 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 295 | 46.5 mi | 52m |
| I 395 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| US 1A | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Cumberland Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Preble Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Congress Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 79 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brewer, ME and Portland, ME.
1
Start on State Street
74 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Street
2
Turn left
229 ft
·
21 sec
3
Turn left
69 ft
·
8 sec
4
Turn left onto ME 9 Business; ME 178
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Turn left
1.0 mi
·
1 min
6
Continue on I 395; ME 15
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 395; ME 15
7
Continue on I 395
148 ft
·
12 sec
·
I 395
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 1A
Toward I 95 South: Newport
9
Merge onto I 95
79 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
I 95
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
46 mi
·
52 min
·
I 295
Exit 103
Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 1A
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1A
Exit 7
Toward US 1A
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Cumberland Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto Preble Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Preble Street
14
Turn left onto Congress Street
156 ft
·
5 sec
·
Congress Street
15
Arrive at destination
Congress Street
Trip Plan
Given this drive is just under 2.5 hours and almost entirely highway, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving anytime in the morning or afternoon should allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. You don't need to worry about splitting this one up; it’s easily manageable in a single go. Plan your fuel stop strategically before you get too low, as the longest stretch on I-95 is 79 miles. While there are no mandatory stops indicated, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that longer segment.
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 65.2 miles from Brewer, ME, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79 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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.2 miles or 1h 13m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portland, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brewer, 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 Brewer, ME
This is one driving day of about 130.4 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Brewer, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 79 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.2 miles from Brewer, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 129.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
ME 9 Business; ME 178 / North Main Street
Turn left onto ME 9 Business; ME 178 / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Newport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1A
Toward I 95 South: Newport
9
82.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
I 295
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 103
Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Bru...
7
129.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
|
US 1A
Take the exit onto US 1A toward US 1A
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7
Toward US 1A
5
129.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
|
Cumberland Avenue
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.99 one way
$41.98 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $23.10 | $46.19 |
| premium | $4.86 | $24.97 | $49.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.79 | $57.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.69 | $6.26 |
| Efficient EV | 32.6 | 0 | $11.41 | $5.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.2 | 0 | $18.26 | $8.35 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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
Portland, ME
Late night in Portland on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Augusta, ME
65 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.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 28m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 98% of the drive taking place on major interstates like I-95 and I-295. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is about 79 miles on I-95, meaning you can settle in for a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. This highway-focused profile suggests a drive characterized by speed and directness, rather than winding backroads or frequent town navigations. It’s designed for covering distance efficiently within the Northeast.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 295. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near ME 9 Business; ME 178 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 28m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (ME 9 Business; ME 178 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 82.7 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Brewer, ME to Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Brunswick
82.7 mi in
|
~1h 32m
|
via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 130.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through ME can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (ME 9 Business; ME 178 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 82.7 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Portland, ME before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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