Origin
Bristol, ME
Late night in Bristol on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bristol, ME to City of Portland, ME
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
62.2 mi
100 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bristol, ME
Boys in Bristol Photography
City of Portland, ME
Brett Sayles
Trip Overview
This 62.2-mile drive from Bristol, ME to the City of Portland, ME is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. You'll be navigating a mix of roadways, including I 295 and Route 1, with about 54% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $10, making it an economical option. This drive offers a mixed terrain, so it's not a monotonous interstate cruise but rather a varied experience. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this trip is perfect for a spontaneous adventure or a leisurely start to your exploration of the Northeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
31.1 miles from Bristol, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 21.1 mi | 24m |
| Route 1 | 11.3 mi | 15m |
| Leeman Highway | 9.2 mi | 13m |
| Bristol Road | 5.7 mi | 10m |
| Bath Road | 4 mi | 7m |
| Portland - Peaks Island | 2.5 mi | 20m |
| Main Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Pleasant Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 21.1 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol, ME and City of Portland, ME.
1
Start on ME 130
5.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Bristol Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 1 BUS
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Main Street
3
Continue on US 1 BUS
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Main Street
4
Merge onto US 1
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Route 1
5
Continue on US 1; ME 27
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
6
Turn straight onto US 1
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Bath Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 1
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Route 1
8
Continue on US 1
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
9
Continue on US 1
9.2 mi
·
13 min
·
Leeman Highway
10
Turn right onto US 1
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Pleasant Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.6 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 295 South: Freeport, Portland
13
Merge onto I 295
21 mi
·
24 min
·
I 295
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit onto US 1A
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 1A
Exit 7
Toward US 1A
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Maine State Pier
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Maine State Pier
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn slight right
187 ft
·
13 sec
17
Turn straight onto Portland - Peaks Island
2.5 mi
·
20 min
·
Portland - Peaks Island
18
Continue
213 ft
·
15 sec
19
Continue on Welch Street
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
Welch Street
20
Turn right onto Oakland Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Oakland Avenue
21
Turn slight left onto Whitehead Street
351 ft
·
15 sec
·
Whitehead Street
22
Continue on Seashore Avenue
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Seashore Avenue
23
Continue on Seashore Avenue
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Seashore Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Seashore Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 50-minute drive, departing earlier in the day can help you avoid potential traffic as you approach Portland. Since it's a shorter, 62.2-mile trip, you have the flexibility to stop as needed without significantly impacting your arrival time. The estimated fuel cost of $10 means you can likely complete the journey on a single tank, but it's always wise to check your gauge. Keep an eye out for transitions between highway and local roads, particularly as you get closer to your destination in Portland, as these can require more attention. The longest stretch on I 295 is over 21 miles, so plan any necessary breaks before or after this 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 31.1 miles from Bristol, ME, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.1 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 14 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.1 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Portland, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bristol, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bristol, ME
This is one driving day of about 62.2 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Bristol, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 21.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.1 miles from Bristol, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 95 decision points cluster between mile 5.7 and 61.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
5.7 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 1 BUS / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 1 BUS / Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
34.5 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 295 South: Freeport, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 295 South: Freeport, Portland
5
36.1 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
I 295
Merge onto I 295
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
57.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m 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
61.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
Oakland Avenue
Turn right onto Oakland Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.01 one way
$20.03 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $11.02 | $22.03 |
| premium | $4.86 | $11.91 | $23.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.73 | $27.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.53 | $2.99 |
| Efficient EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.44 | $2.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.9 | 0 | $8.71 | $3.98 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
City of Portland, ME
Late night in City of Portland on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
41°F
Bath, ME
31 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
10 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
1h 50m 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 varied driving experience on this route, with 54% of the journey utilizing highway speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 21.1 miles on I 295, offering a period of consistent travel. This is not a purely highway drive; you'll also transition onto local roads like Route 1 and Leeman Highway, introducing changes in speed and scenery. The 'mixed drive' profile suggests you'll experience both faster-paced sections and more deliberate navigation through populated areas. This blend ensures the drive remains engaging, moving from quicker highway segments to more local road interactions.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.1 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.7 miles in near US 1 BUS / Main Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.2 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.7 miles (US 1 BUS / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 34.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.1 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Bristol, ME to City of Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Portland along the way.
Portland
34.5 mi in
|
~55m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 62.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.1 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at City of Portland, ME before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 5.7 miles (US 1 BUS / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 34.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.1 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of 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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