This 152.6-mile journey from Deer Isle, ME to Portland, ME is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes to complete. You'll primarily travel on Belfast Augusta Road and Route 1 before merging onto I-295. With a fuel cost estimated at $25, this drive offers a mixed terrain experience, making it a good option for a single-day excursion. Since both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, you won't be crossing state lines. The route is designed for efficient travel, with about 46% of the drive on highways, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.3 miles from Deer Isle, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
46.5 mi
52m
Belfast Augusta Road
17.6 mi
21m
Route 1
15.2 mi
18m
North Belfast Avenue
9.1 mi
13m
Acadia Highway
7.3 mi
8m
Maine Turnpike
5.9 mi
6m
North Penobscot Road
5 mi
8m
Augusta Road
4.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 46.5 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Deer Isle, ME and Portland, ME.
1
Start on King Row
135 ft·7 sec·King Row
2
Turn right onto ME 15
4.6 mi·8 min·North Deer Isle Road
3
Continue on ME 15
1.0 mi·1 min·Little Deer Isle Road
4
Continue on ME 15
0.5 mi·50 sec·Deer Isle Sedgwick Bridge
5
Continue on ME 15
1.3 mi·2 min·Byards Point Road
6
Turn left onto ME 15; ME 175
2.9 mi·5 min·Caterpillar Hill Road
7
Continue on ME 15
2.9 mi·5 min·Snows Cove Road
8
Continue on ME 176
2.6 mi·4 min·Graytown Road
9
Continue on ME 175
4.6 mi·8 min·Southern Bay Road
10
Turn right onto ME 199
5.0 mi·8 min·North Penobscot Road
11
At end of road, turn left onto ME 15
3.7 mi·5 min·Front Ridge Road
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 1; ME 3; ME 15
3.4 mi·3 min·Acadia Highway
13
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
1.0 mi·1 min·Route 1
14
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
135 ft·9 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto US 1; ME 3
0.1 mi·16 sec·Route 1
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 1; ME 3
1.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 1
17
Continue on US 1; ME 3
13 mi·15 min·Route 1
18
Continue on US 1; ME 3
2.7 mi·4 min·Searsport Avenue
19
Continue on US 1; ME 3
0.7 mi·1 min·Route 1
20
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi·38 sec·ME 3
21
Keep slight right at fork onto ME 3
373 ft·12 sec·ME 3
22
Merge onto ME 3
3.9 mi·4 min·Belmont Avenue
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi·5 min·Augusta Road
24
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi·3 min·Belfast Augusta Road East
25
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Acadia Highway
26
Continue on ME 3
18 mi·21 min·Belfast Augusta Road
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi·16 sec·Belfast Road
28
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi·11 min·North Belfast Avenue
29
Turn left onto US 202; ME 9
1.0 mi·1 min·North Belfast Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
At end of road, turn left onto US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100
0.6 mi·52 sec·Bangor Street
31
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
159 ft·3 sec·Memorial Drive
32
Continue on US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi·1 min·Memorial Drive
33
Enter roundabout onto US 201; ME 27
401 ft·7 sec·State Street
34
Continue on US 201; ME 27
0.2 mi·19 sec·State Street
35
Turn right onto Capitol Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Capitol Street
36
Turn straight onto Armory Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Armory Street
37
Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
39
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
40
Merge onto I 95
5.9 mi·6 min·Maine Turnpike
41
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.
42
Take the exit onto US 1A
0.7 mi·1 min·US 1A
Exit 7Toward US 1AUse the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
0.4 mi·50 sec·Cumberland Avenue
Use the straight lane.
44
Turn left onto Preble Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Preble Street
45
Turn left onto Congress Street
156 ft·5 sec·Congress Street
46
Arrive at destination
Congress Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 24-minute duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart Deer Isle in the morning to maximize your time in Portland. While there's only one recommended stop, the mixed nature of the drive means you'll encounter various opportunities for a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading onto the 46.5-mile stretch of I-295, as services might be less frequent. The estimated $25 fuel cost is a good baseline, but always check current prices. Flexibility is key on this route, allowing you to adjust your pace based on traffic and your desire for spontaneous stops.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.3 miles from Deer Isle, ME, or about 1h 49m 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 34 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.3 miles or 1h 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 2h 51m
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 Deer Isle, 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 Deer Isle, ME
This is one driving day of about 152.6 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Deer Isle, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.4 and 151.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
33.4 mi into trip|~55m in|US 1; ME 3 / Route 1
Turn left onto US 1; ME 3 / Route 1
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
51.8 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|ME 3
Keep slight right at fork onto ME 3
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
98.3 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
104.9 mi into trip|~2h 28m 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
151.3 mi into trip|~3h 21m 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
$24.57 one way
$49.13 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$27.03
$54.06
premium
$4.86
$29.22
$58.44
diesel
$5.61
$33.69
$67.38
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
$25
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.8
0
$16.02
$7.32
Efficient EV
38.2
0
$13.35
$6.10
EV Truck/SUV
61
0
$21.36
$9.77
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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
Deer Isle, ME
Night
in Deer Isle on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portland, ME
Night
in Portland on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Washington, ME
76 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
6 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
3h 24m 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 115.7
Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is a blend of highway efficiency and scenic byway cruising. With 46% of the route on highways, you'll experience periods of faster travel, particularly during the longest stretch of 46.5 miles on I-295. However, the inclusion of Belfast Augusta Road and Route 1 means you'll also navigate more local roads, offering a varied driving experience. This mix means you'll encounter different speed limits and road conditions as you progress from the more rural starting point towards the urban destination of Portland. Expect the drive to shift gears between open highway and more community-focused stretches.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
46 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?
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 33.4 miles in near US 1; ME 3 / Route 1.
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 23 significant decision points across 152.6 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 33.4 miles (US 1; ME 3 / Route 1): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.8 miles (ME 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 98.3 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 Deer Isle, ME and Portland, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor, Kittery and Brunswick.
Waterville
98 mi in|~2h 20m
Bangor
98 mi in|~2h 20m
Kittery
98.3 mi in|~2h 21m
Brunswick
104.9 mi in|~2h 28m|via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 152.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. 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 33.4 miles (US 1; ME 3 / Route 1): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.8 miles (ME 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 98.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument and Acadia National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Portland, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
