If you are planning to head from Dexter down to South Portland, expect a straightforward journey covering 118.7 miles. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 2 hours and 21 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Budget roughly $19 for fuel to cover the distance, which primarily utilizes I-95 and I-295. Because the duration is relatively short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay; you can easily make this a round trip if your schedule allows. Navigating between these two Maine locations is efficient, as the route is designed for those who prefer a direct, highway-focused experience rather than a winding backroads tour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.3 miles from Dexter, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
53.5 mi
58m
I 295
46.5 mi
52m
Dexter Road
5.9 mi
8m
Moosehead Trail
4.7 mi
6m
Newport Road
1.4 mi
2m
Corinna Road
1.2 mi
1m
Casco Bay Bridge
1.1 mi
1m
Spring Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 53.5 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dexter, ME and South Portland, ME.
1
Start on ME 7
1.0 mi·1 min·Spring Street
2
Continue on ME 7
1.2 mi·1 min·Corinna Road
3
Continue on ME 7
5.9 mi·8 min·Dexter Road
4
Continue on ME 7; ME 11
1.4 mi·2 min·Newport Road
5
Continue on ME 7; ME 11
4.7 mi·6 min·Moosehead Trail
6
Enter roundabout onto Ox Bow Road
142 ft·2 sec·Ox Bow Road
7
Continue on Ox Bow Road
0.2 mi·43 sec·Ox Bow Road
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
9
Merge onto I 95
53 mi·58 min·I 95
10
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.
11
Take the exit onto US 1A
0.4 mi·1 min·US 1A
Exit 7Toward US 1AUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto Marginal Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Marginal Way
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on State Street
1.0 mi·1 min·State Street
14
Continue on ME 77
1.1 mi·1 min·Casco Bay Bridge
15
Continue on ME 77
1.0 mi·1 min·Broadway
16
Turn sharp right onto Pine Street
60 ft·2 sec·Pine Street
17
Arrive at destination
Pine Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 21-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion as you approach the South Portland area, as the final leg of the route relies heavily on the I-295 corridor. Because the trip is short, you likely won't need to plan formal rest stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Dexter to ensure you are ready for the full 118.7-mile stretch. Keep your $19 fuel budget in mind when planning your total travel expenses. Above all, stay alert during the transition from the rural stretches of I-95 into the busier traffic patterns near your destination.
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 59.3 miles from Dexter, ME, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.5 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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 10m 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 South Portland, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dexter, 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 Dexter, ME
This is one driving day of about 118.7 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Dexter, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 53.5 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.2 and 118.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
14.2 mi into trip|~21m in|Ox Bow Road
Enter roundabout onto Ox Bow Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
9
68.2 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
114.7 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
5
115.1 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|Marginal Way
Turn right onto Marginal Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
118.7 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|Pine Street
Turn sharp right onto Pine Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.11 one way
$38.22 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$21.02
$42.05
premium
$4.86
$22.73
$45.46
diesel
$5.61
$26.21
$52.41
Estimated Tolls: $7.00
Bay Bridge
$7.00
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
$19
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.6
0
$12.46
$5.70
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.39
$4.75
EV Truck/SUV
47.5
0
$16.62
$7.60
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Dexter, ME
Late night
in Dexter on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Portland, ME
Late night
in South Portland on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
46°F
Brunswick, ME
59 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.
Road read
2h 21m 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 77.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 118.7-mile trek is defined by its efficiency, with 85% of your travel time spent on major highways. You will start by transitioning onto Dexter Road before settling into the steady rhythm of the interstate system. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-95, where you can settle in for 53.5 miles of consistent driving. While the road lacks the technical challenges of local mountain passes, the transition from the interior landscape of Dexter toward the urban coastal environment of South Portland keeps the drive feeling purposeful. Expect a predictable, highway-focused experience that prioritizes speed and reliability over scenic detours.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.5 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 295. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 14.2 miles in near Ox Bow Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 14.2 miles (Ox Bow Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 68.2 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.7 miles (US 1A): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
419 ft25 ft
Total Climb
206 ft
Total Descent
600 ft
Highest Point
419 ft
Elevation Range
394 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 Dexter, ME to South Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Brunswick
68.2 mi in|~1h 20m|via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 118.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 53.5 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.00 in tolls one way, starting with Bay Bridge. 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, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 14.2 miles (Ox Bow Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 68.2 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.7 miles (US 1A): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 South Portland, ME before heading back.
