Traveling from Guilford to Portland covers 132.2 miles, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours behind the wheel. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, making it an efficient way to transition from the interior of Maine toward the coast. You can expect to spend approximately $21 on fuel for the one-way trek. By utilizing a combination of North Dexter Road, I-95, and I-295, you gain a straightforward path between these two points. Since both locations are within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you head south. It is a practical drive for those looking to reach the city without the need for 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
66.1 miles from Guilford, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
53.5 mi
58m
I 295
46.5 mi
52m
North Dexter Road
9.4 mi
14m
Dexter Road
5.9 mi
8m
Moosehead Trail
4.7 mi
6m
Portland - Peaks Island
2.5 mi
20m
Newport Road
1.4 mi
2m
Water Street
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 53.5 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Guilford, ME and City of Portland, ME.
1
Start on ME 6; ME 15; ME 16; ME 150
1.2 mi·1 min·Water Street
2
Turn right onto ME 23
0.1 mi·12 sec·Bridge Street
3
Continue on ME 23
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
4
Continue on ME 23
9.4 mi·14 min·North Dexter Road
5
Continue on Crockett Road
418 ft·7 sec·Crockett Road
6
Continue on ME 23
0.6 mi·52 sec·Grove Street
7
Turn straight onto ME 23
290 ft·6 sec·Dam Street
8
Turn right onto ME 7; ME 23
0.2 mi·17 sec·Church Street
9
Continue on ME 7
1.0 mi·1 min·Spring Street
10
Continue on ME 7
1.2 mi·1 min·Corinna Road
11
Continue on ME 7
5.9 mi·8 min·Dexter Road
12
Continue on ME 7; ME 11
1.4 mi·2 min·Newport Road
13
Continue on ME 7; ME 11
4.7 mi·6 min·Moosehead Trail
14
Enter roundabout onto Ox Bow Road
142 ft·2 sec·Ox Bow Road
15
Continue on Ox Bow Road
0.2 mi·43 sec·Ox Bow Road
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
17
Merge onto I 95
53 mi·58 min·I 95
18
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.
19
Take the exit onto US 1A
1.1 mi·2 min·US 1A
Exit 7Toward US 1AUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on Maine State Pier
0.1 mi·29 sec·Maine State Pier
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn slight right
187 ft·13 sec
22
Turn straight onto Portland - Peaks Island
2.5 mi·20 min·Portland - Peaks Island
23
Continue
213 ft·15 sec
24
Continue on Welch Street
0.2 mi·49 sec·Welch Street
25
Turn right onto Oakland Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Oakland Avenue
26
Turn slight left onto Whitehead Street
351 ft·15 sec·Whitehead Street
27
Continue on Seashore Avenue
0.2 mi·46 sec·Seashore Avenue
28
Continue on Seashore Avenue
0.6 mi·2 min·Seashore Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Seashore Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 3 hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid the heaviest traffic near Portland. While the drive is short enough to complete in one go, building in at least one planned stop will help you stay fresh and alert. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial stretches on the local roads to ensure you are ready for the longer interstate segments. Since you will be spending roughly $21 on gas, consider fueling up in Guilford before you head out to avoid fluctuating prices along the highway. Aiming to arrive in Portland during off-peak hours will make the final portion of your drive significantly smoother.
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 66.1 miles from Guilford, ME, or about 1h 23m 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 29 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.1 miles or 1h 23m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Portland, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Guilford, 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 Guilford, ME
This is one driving day of about 132.2 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Guilford, 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 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 131.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.2 mi into trip|~1m in|ME 23 / Bridge Street
Turn right onto ME 23 / Bridge Street
Navigation decision point
4
12.3 mi into trip|~18m in|ME 7; ME 23 / Church Street
Turn right onto ME 7; ME 23 / Church Street
Navigation decision point
9
80.7 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
127.2 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
131.3 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|Oakland Avenue
Turn right onto Oakland Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.28 one way
$42.56 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$23.42
$46.83
premium
$4.86
$25.32
$50.63
diesel
$5.61
$29.19
$58.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.7
0
$13.88
$6.35
Efficient EV
33.1
0
$11.57
$5.29
EV Truck/SUV
52.9
0
$18.51
$8.46
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 12, 2026
Origin
Guilford, ME
Late night
in Guilford on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Portland, ME
Late night
in City of Portland on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Partly Sunny
S 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
50°F
Augusta, ME
66 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 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.
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 91.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 76% of the journey spent on major interstates. You will settle into a steady rhythm on I-95, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 53.5 miles. The experience begins with local travel via North Dexter Road before transitioning into the high-speed efficiency of the interstate system. As you merge onto I-295, the character of the drive shifts toward the more urbanized environment approaching Portland. Expect a consistent, fast-paced atmosphere that favors directness over technical, winding backroads.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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 1.2 miles in near ME 23 / Bridge Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (ME 23 / Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.3 miles (ME 7; ME 23 / Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 80.7 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
609 ft204 ft
Total Climb
427 ft
Total Descent
583 ft
Highest Point
609 ft
~9.4 mi in
Elevation Range
405 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 Guilford, ME to City of Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Brunswick
80.7 mi in|~1h 39m|via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 132.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 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.
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.
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 1.2 miles (ME 23 / Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.3 miles (ME 7; ME 23 / Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 80.7 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Portland, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
