Planning a trip from Portland to Augusta, Maine? This 59.8-mile drive takes about 1 hour and 32 minutes and is a straightforward option for a day trip. The route primarily uses I-295 and the Maine Turnpike, with a small segment on Portland - Peaks Island, making it a highway-focused journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $10, it's an economical option for exploring more of the Northeast region. You won't need to break this drive up overnight; it's easily manageable in a single go, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
29.9 miles from City of Portland, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
46.3 mi
52m
Maine Turnpike
6.3 mi
6m
Portland - Peaks Island
2.5 mi
20m
Capitol Street
0.8 mi
1m
Seashore Avenue
0.8 mi
3m
Franklin Street
0.7 mi
1m
Western Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
US 1A
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 46.3 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Portland, ME and Augusta, ME.
1
Start on Seashore Avenue
0.6 mi·2 min·Seashore Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto Seashore Avenue
0.2 mi·45 sec·Seashore Avenue
3
Continue on Whitehead Street
351 ft·15 sec·Whitehead Street
4
Continue on Oakland Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·Oakland Avenue
5
At end of road, turn left onto Welch Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Welch Street
6
Continue on Portland - Peaks Island
2.5 mi·20 min·Portland - Peaks Island
7
Continue
187 ft·14 sec
8
Turn right onto Maine State Pier
74 ft·30 sec·Maine State Pier
9
Continue on Maine State Pier
0.1 mi·30 sec·Maine State Pier
10
Continue on US 1A
0.7 mi·1 min·Franklin Street
11
Take the ramp onto US 1A
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 1A
12
Merge onto I 295; US 1
46 mi·52 min·I 295; US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 95
6.3 mi·6 min·Maine Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 109Toward US 202, ME 11, ME 17, ME 100: Augusta, Winthrop
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward US 202, ME 11, ME 17, ME 100: Augusta
16
Turn straight onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
0.6 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
17
Turn right onto Armory Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·Armory Street
18
Continue on Capitol Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Capitol Street
19
Turn left onto US 201; ME 27
0.2 mi·18 sec·State Street
20
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 27; ME 100
466 ft·8 sec·Memorial Circle
21
Arrive at destination
US 201; ME 27
Trip Plan
For your 1 hour and 32-minute drive from Portland to Augusta, consider departing mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour in Portland. Since this 59.8-mile trip is short and budget-friendly at an estimated $10 for fuel, you have the flexibility to stop as needed. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-295 to the Maine Turnpike, as this is where you'll encounter a toll. With no planned stops in the data, feel free to add a quick break at a service area along the Maine Turnpike if you need to stretch your legs.
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 29.9 miles from City of Portland, ME, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 13 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.9 miles or 56m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Augusta, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving City of Portland, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from City of Portland, ME
This is one driving day of about 59.8 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from City of Portland, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 46.3 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 59.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1 mi into trip|~3m in|Welch Street
At end of road, turn left onto Welch Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
5 mi into trip|~28m in|I 295; US 1
Merge onto I 295; US 1
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
57.5 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 202, ME 11, ME 17, ME 100: Augusta, Winthrop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 109
Toward US 202, ME 11, ME 17, ME 100: Augusta, W...
7
57.8 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 202, ME 11, ME 17, ME 100: Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 202, ME 11, ME 17, ME 100: Augusta
5
59.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|US 201; US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 27; ME 100 / Memorial Circle
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 27; ME 100 / Memorial Circle
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.63 one way
$19.25 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$10.59
$21.18
premium
$4.86
$11.45
$22.90
diesel
$5.61
$13.20
$26.41
Estimated Tolls: $0.38
Maine Turnpike
(6.3 mi)$0.38
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
$10
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17.9
0
$6.28
$2.87
Efficient EV
15
0
$5.23
$2.39
EV Truck/SUV
23.9
0
$8.37
$3.83
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Forecast as of Dec 19, 2023
Origin
City of Portland, ME
Afternoon
in City of Portland on Sunday
Local time
12:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Augusta, ME
Afternoon
in Augusta on Sunday
Local time
12:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Freeport, ME
30 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
7 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
1h 32m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Frances Perkins National Monument
National Monument
Known as the first woman to hold a presidential cabinet position and the “Woman behind the New Deal,” Frances Perkins championed many labor rights that Americans enjoy today, including safety standard...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 43.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive leans heavily towards highway travel, with 88% of the route on major roads like I-295 and the Maine Turnpike. You'll experience a longest stretch of 46.3 miles on I-295, offering a consistent pace. Expect a highway-focused profile for most of the 59.8 miles, meaning it's designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. The road's personality is one of steady progress, allowing you to cover ground quickly between these two points in Maine.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.3 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near Welch Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 59.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 1 miles (Welch Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 5 miles (I 295; US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 59.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.3 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.38 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.
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 1 miles (Welch Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 5 miles (I 295; US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Augusta, ME before heading back.
