Traveling from Brooks to Portland covers 105.1 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel. This journey serves as an efficient link within the Northeast region, making it a perfectly manageable day trip. You can expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel, allowing you to easily complete the trek without needing an overnight stay. The path utilizes a combination of local routes, including the Belfast Augusta Road and North Belfast Avenue, before transitioning onto I-295. Whether you are heading to the coast for business or a quick getaway, the straightforward nature of this drive ensures you spend less time commuting and more time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.6 miles from Brooks, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
46.5 mi
52m
Belfast Augusta Road
17.6 mi
21m
North Belfast Avenue
9.1 mi
13m
Maine Turnpike
5.9 mi
6m
Acadia Highway
4 mi
4m
Veterans Highway
3.9 mi
6m
Belfast Augusta Road East
3.4 mi
3m
Waldo Station Road
3.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 46.5 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brooks, ME and Portland, ME.
1
Start on ME 7
3.9 mi·6 min·Veterans Highway
2
Continue on ME 7
0.4 mi·42 sec·Moosehead Trail
3
Turn right onto ME 131
3.3 mi·5 min·Waldo Station Road
4
Continue on ME 131
3.1 mi·5 min·North Main Street
5
Turn right onto Higgins Hill Road
2.4 mi·3 min·Higgins Hill Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto ME 3
271 ft·3 sec·Augusta Road
7
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi·3 min·Belfast Augusta Road East
8
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Acadia Highway
9
Continue on ME 3
18 mi·21 min·Belfast Augusta Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi·16 sec·Belfast Road
11
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi·11 min·North Belfast Avenue
12
Turn left onto US 202; ME 9
1.0 mi·1 min·North Belfast Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100
0.6 mi·52 sec·Bangor Street
14
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
159 ft·3 sec·Memorial Drive
15
Continue on US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi·1 min·Memorial Drive
16
Enter roundabout onto US 201; ME 27
401 ft·7 sec·State Street
17
Continue on US 201; ME 27
0.2 mi·19 sec·State Street
18
Turn right onto Capitol Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Capitol Street
19
Turn straight onto Armory Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Armory Street
20
Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
23
Merge onto I 95
5.9 mi·6 min·Maine Turnpike
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
46 mi·52 min·I 295
Exit 103Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, BrunswickUse the straight lane.
25
Take the exit onto US 1A
0.7 mi·1 min·US 1A
Exit 7Toward US 1AUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
0.4 mi·50 sec·Cumberland Avenue
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto Preble Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Preble Street
28
Turn left onto Congress Street
156 ft·5 sec·Congress Street
29
Arrive at destination
Congress Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid potential traffic. While the 105.1-mile distance does not strictly require formal stops, planning your fuel intake early is wise to keep your costs near the $17 estimate. Keep an eye on your transition points, as moving from the Belfast Augusta Road onto the interstate system changes the driving rhythm significantly. Because the route is direct, you can easily complete the drive in one go, but feel free to pull off the main roads if you need to stretch your legs. Prioritize a steady pace once you hit the 46.5-mile stretch on I-295 to make the most of your travel time.
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 52.6 miles from Brooks, ME, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.5 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 23 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.6 miles or 1h 15m 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 53m
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 Brooks, 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 Brooks, ME
This is one driving day of about 105.1 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Brooks, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 46.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 46.3 and 103.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
46.3 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue
Turn left onto US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
50.5 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
6
50.9 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
9
57.4 mi into trip|~1h 20m 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
103.9 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.92 one way
$33.84 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$18.62
$37.23
premium
$4.86
$20.13
$40.25
diesel
$5.61
$23.20
$46.41
Estimated Tolls: $0.36
Maine Turnpike
(5.9 mi)$0.36
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
$17
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.5
0
$11.04
$5.04
Efficient EV
26.3
0
$9.20
$4.20
EV Truck/SUV
42
0
$14.71
$6.73
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Brooks, ME
Night
in Brooks on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portland, ME
Night
in Portland on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Augusta, ME
53 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
17 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 16m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, transitioning between slower local roads and faster interstate travel. You will spend about 51% of your time on highways, providing a balanced experience that avoids the monotony of a purely interstate route. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs once you reach I-295, where you will cruise for 46.5 miles. Expect the pace to shift as you move from the smaller roadways like North Belfast Avenue into the more structured flow of the interstate. It is a practical drive that keeps you engaged without being overly technical or exhausting.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.5 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 46.3 miles in near US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 105.1 miles you will encounter 17 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 46.3 miles (US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Brooks, ME and Portland, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor, Kittery and Brunswick.
Waterville
50.5 mi in|~1h 12m
Bangor
50.5 mi in|~1h 12m
Kittery
50.9 mi in|~1h 12m
Brunswick
57.4 mi in|~1h 20m|via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 105.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.5 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.36 in tolls one way, starting with Maine Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Portland, ME before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 46.3 miles (US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
