If you are planning to head north from Portland to Rumford, expect a straightforward journey covering 80.7 miles. The drive typically takes about 2 hours and 9 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable single-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize a mix of the Maine Turnpike, Auburn Road, and Washington Street to complete the trek. Budget roughly $13 for fuel to get you from the coast to the interior of the state. Because both cities are located within the Northeast region, you will stay within a consistent geographic area throughout the journey. It is a practical, efficient route that serves as a solid connection between these two Maine hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.4 miles from City of Portland, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Maine Turnpike
22.2 mi
23m
Auburn Road
19.4 mi
24m
Washington Street
4.2 mi
6m
Pleasant Street
4 mi
5m
State Route 108
3.1 mi
4m
Turner Road
3.1 mi
3m
Turner Street
3 mi
4m
Center Street
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 22.2 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Portland, ME and Rumford, 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
Turn left onto Marginal Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Marginal Way
12
Turn right onto ME 100
2.4 mi·3 min·Forest Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
200 ft·9 sec
14
Turn slight right onto ME 100
0.8 mi·1 min·Allen Avenue
15
Turn left onto ME 26; ME 100
262 ft·7 sec·Washington Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on ME 26; ME 100
1.7 mi·4 min·Auburn Street
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on ME 26; ME 100
0.6 mi·1 min·Gray Road
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·41 sec
Use the left lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 95 North: Lewiston, Augusta
20
Merge onto I 95
14 mi·15 min·Maine Turnpike
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
8.1 mi·8 min·Maine Turnpike
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward US 202, ME 4, ME 100: Auburn
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 202; ME 4
4.2 mi·6 min·Washington Street
24
Merge onto US 202; ME 4; ME 11; ME 100
0.5 mi·38 sec·Minot Avenue
25
Continue on ME 4
0.4 mi·30 sec·Union Street Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Merge onto ME 4
2.9 mi·3 min·Center Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on ME 4
2.9 mi·3 min·Turner Road
28
Continue on ME 4
13 mi·14 min·Auburn Road
29
Continue on ME 4
1.2 mi·1 min·Federal Road
30
Turn left onto ME 108
2.6 mi·3 min·Canton Road
31
Continue on Turner Road
0.2 mi·17 sec·Turner Road
32
Continue on ME 108
3.0 mi·4 min·Turner Street
33
Continue on ME 108
4.0 mi·5 min·Pleasant Street
34
Continue on ME 108
6.7 mi·9 min·Auburn Road
35
Continue on ME 108
1.2 mi·1 min·Oxford Road
36
Continue on ME 108
3.1 mi·4 min·State Route 108
37
Continue on ME 108
0.6 mi·1 min·Bridge Street
38
Turn right onto US 2
497 ft·16 sec·Franklin Street
39
Turn right onto US 2
0.2 mi·41 sec·Rumford Avenue
40
Continue on US 2
301 ft·10 sec·Rumford Avenue
41
Keep slight right at fork onto US 2
441 ft·17 sec·Rumford Avenue
Use the right lane.
42
Turn left onto US 2
0.3 mi·59 sec·Hancock Street
43
Arrive at destination
US 2
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip of just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid heavy traffic. You won't need to worry about complex stop planning, as the route is direct enough to complete in one go without needing a formal break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Portland, as the $13 estimate assumes a steady transit through the planned roads. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider leaving mid-morning to ensure you have full daylight for the local road segments. Most importantly, ensure you are comfortable navigating the transition from the Maine Turnpike onto Washington Street, as this shift marks the final phase of your arrival in Rumford.
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 40.4 miles from City of Portland, ME, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.2 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 18 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.4 miles or 1h 14m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rumford, 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.
+
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 City of Portland, ME
This is one driving day of about 80.7 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 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 Maine Turnpike for about 22.2 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 80.3 — 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
8.4 mi into trip|~33m in|ME 26; ME 100 / Washington Avenue
Turn left onto ME 26; ME 100 / Washington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
10.7 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
10.9 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North: Lewiston, Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North: Lewiston, Augusta
7
80.3 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|US 2 / Rumford Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto US 2 / Rumford Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.99 one way
$25.98 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$14.29
$28.59
premium
$4.86
$15.45
$30.91
diesel
$5.61
$17.82
$35.64
Estimated Tolls: $1.34
Maine Turnpike
(22.2 mi)$1.34
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
$13
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.47
$3.87
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.06
$3.23
EV Truck/SUV
32.3
0
$11.30
$5.16
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 12, 2026
Origin
City of Portland, ME
Late night
in City of Portland on Sunday
Local time
12:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Partly Sunny
S 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Rumford, ME
Late night
in Rumford on Sunday
Local time
12:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Sunny
SW 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
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 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 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 80.7-mile route offers a mixed driving profile, transitioning from higher-speed transit to local road navigation. You will spend about 31% of your time on the highway, with your longest uninterrupted stretch lasting 22.2 miles while cruising on the Maine Turnpike. Once you exit the interstate, the character of the drive shifts as you transition onto Auburn Road and Washington Street. This change in road type requires you to adjust your pace, moving from the steady flow of the Turnpike to the more variable conditions of local routes. Expect a balanced mix of fast-paced highway segments and slower, more technical stretches as you approach your destination.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.2 mi on Maine Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1 miles in near Welch Street.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 80.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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 8.4 miles (ME 26; ME 100 / Washington Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
491 ft23 ft
Total Climb
484 ft
Total Descent
16 ft
Highest Point
491 ft
~80.7 mi in
Elevation Range
468 ft
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 Rumford, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Augusta along the way.
Augusta
10.9 mi in|~39m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 80.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.2 miles on Maine Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.34 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 Rumford, 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 1 miles (Welch Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 8.4 miles (ME 26; ME 100 / Washington Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rumford, ME before heading back.
