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Trip from City of Portland, ME to Manchester, ME

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 32m

Distance

60.7 mi

98 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 25m ★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown City of Portland, ME, ME

City of Portland, ME

Brett Sayles

Downtown Manchester, ME, ME

Manchester, ME

Mylo Kaye

Trip Overview

This straightforward 60.7-mile drive from Portland, ME, to Manchester, ME, can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 32 minutes. It's a perfect day trip, requiring no overnight stays. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 87% of the journey on major interstates and turnpikes, making it an efficient option for getting from point A to point B within the Northeast region. Your estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $10, offering a budget-friendly way to travel between these two Maine locations. Given its short duration and highway-centric profile, this drive is best suited for those prioritizing speed and directness.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

30.4 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
Western Avenue 2.6 mi 3m
Portland - Peaks Island 2.5 mi 20m
Seashore Avenue 0.8 mi 3m
Franklin Street 0.7 mi 1m
US 1A 0.3 mi <1m
Welch Street 0.2 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 Manchester, 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 109 Toward US 202, ME 11, ME 17, ME 100: Augusta, Winthrop
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward US 202, ME 11, ME 17, ME 100: Winthrop
16

Merge onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100

2.6 mi · 3 min · Western Avenue
17

Turn left

73 ft · 5 sec
18

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given that this drive is just 60.7 miles and takes only about 1 hour and 32 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Portland in the morning or early afternoon will keep you on the main highways for the bulk of the journey, minimizing potential delays. With no specific stops recommended, you can easily complete the drive without needing to plan for breaks. Keep in mind the $10 fuel cost and ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing, as the longest stretch is a significant 46.3 miles on I-295. A practical tip for this route: familiarize yourself with the I-295 to Maine Turnpike transition, as it's a key point for maintaining momentum.

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 30.4 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 30.4 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 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manchester, 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 60.7 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.

Downtown Freeport, ME, ME

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Freeport, ME

30 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

Portland, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Freeport, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 30.4 miles from City of Portland, 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 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 57.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in | Seashore Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto Seashore Avenue

Navigation decision point

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...
6
57.8 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 202, ME 11, ME 17, ME 100: Winthrop

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 202, ME 11, ME 17, ME 100: Winthrop

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$9.77 one way

$19.54 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $10.75 $21.50
premium $4.86 $11.62 $23.25
diesel $5.61 $13.40 $26.80

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: 21.2 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 18.2 0 $6.37 $2.91
Efficient EV 15.2 0 $5.31 $2.43
EV Truck/SUV 24.3 0 $8.50 $3.88

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

Late night in City of Portland on Sunday

Local time

12:55 AM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Manchester, ME

Late night in Manchester on Sunday

Local time

12:55 AM

EDT

Current temp

36°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 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 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 60.7-mile trip, with 87% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-295 and the Maine Turnpike. This means you'll encounter mostly high-speed travel and minimal traffic lights for extended periods. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 46.3 miles on I-295, providing a consistent pace. While primarily interstate, the final leg on Western Avenue may offer a slight shift in scenery as you approach your destination. Overall, the character of this drive is efficient and direct, prioritizing mileage over leisurely exploration.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Seashore Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 60.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.6 miles (Seashore Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.

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 City of Portland, ME to Manchester, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Winthrop along the way.

Winthrop

57.5 mi in | ~1h 27m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 60.7 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 (87%). 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 0.6 miles (Seashore Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Manchester, 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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