This 254-mile journey from Hodgdon, Maine, to South Portland Gardens, Maine, will take approximately 3 hours and 54 minutes of driving time. Operating entirely within the Northeast region and the state of Maine, this route is best tackled as a single-day trip. You can expect a fuel cost of around $41 for this drive. The route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting frequent changes in direction rather than long, straight stretches. With only one recommended stop, it's designed for efficient travel, making it a practical option for a straightforward day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
128.1 miles from Hodgdon, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
198.2 mi
3h 26m
I 295
50.2 mi
58m
Calais Road
2.5 mi
3m
Court Street
2 mi
3m
North Street
1.1 mi
1m
Hodgdon Mills Road
0.9 mi
2m
Westbrook Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Devereaux Circle
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 198.2 mi, about 3h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hodgdon, ME and South Portland Gardens, ME.
1
Start on Hodgdon Mills Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Hodgdon Mills Road
2
Turn left onto US 1
2.5 mi·3 min·Calais Road
3
Continue on US 1
2.0 mi·3 min·Court Street
4
Turn left onto US 1; US 2
365 ft·8 sec·Military Street
5
Turn right onto US 1; US 2
0.1 mi·12 sec·Kendall Street
6
Continue on US 1; US 2
1.1 mi·1 min·North Street
7
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 95
198 mi·3 hr 26 min·I 95
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
50 mi·58 min·I 295
Exit 103Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, BrunswickUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 3Toward ME 9: Jetport
11
Keep slight right at fork
489 ft·15 sec
Exit 3Toward ME 9: Jetport
12
Turn straight onto ME 9
0.1 mi·21 sec·Westbrook Street
13
Turn slight right
224 ft·8 sec
14
Turn straight onto Westbrook Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Westbrook Street
15
Turn left onto Devereaux Circle
0.2 mi·50 sec·Devereaux Circle
16
Arrive at destination
Devereaux Circle
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 54-minute duration, departing from Hodgdon in the morning is advisable to allow ample time for reaching South Portland Gardens without feeling rushed. The estimated fuel cost is $41, so ensure your tank is full before you leave, as this is a local-focused route with no highway stretches where fuel stops are typically more frequent. With only one recommended stop and a turn-heavy nature, plan your breaks strategically to coincide with stretches where you can comfortably pull over. A good tip for this route is to pay close attention to your GPS, especially as you enter more populated areas, to anticipate the frequent turns.
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 128.1 miles from Hodgdon, ME, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.2 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 56 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.1 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Portland Gardens, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hodgdon, 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 Hodgdon, ME
This is one driving day of about 256.2 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Hodgdon, 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 198.2 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 255.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.5 mi into trip|~9m in|US 1; US 2 / Kendall Street
Turn right onto US 1; US 2 / Kendall Street
Navigation decision point
6
6.7 mi into trip|~11m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
205.1 mi into trip|~3h 38m 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...
5
255.3 mi into trip|~4h 37m in
Take the exit toward ME 9: Jetport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 3
Toward ME 9: Jetport
7
255.5 mi into trip|~4h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward ME 9: Jetport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 3
Toward ME 9: Jetport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.24 one way
$82.49 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$45.38
$90.76
premium
$4.86
$49.06
$98.12
diesel
$5.61
$56.57
$113.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.9
0
$26.90
$12.30
Efficient EV
64.1
0
$22.42
$10.25
EV Truck/SUV
102.5
1
$35.87
$16.40
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2023
Origin
Hodgdon, ME
Night
in Hodgdon on Saturday
Local time
9:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
26°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Portland Gardens, ME
Night
in South Portland Gardens on Saturday
Local time
9:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
32°F
Dexter, ME
128 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
27 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
4h 39m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
National Monument
Spread across a wild landscape offering spectacular views of Katahdin, Katahdin Woods and Waters invites discovery of its rivers, streams, woods, flora, fauna, geology, and the night skies that have a...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 44.2
Park Closure: Loop Road and North Entrance Seasonal Closures
Park Closure: Katahdin Overlook Construction Closure
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 212
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you’ll be navigating through more varied road conditions and frequent turns, with no highway driving at all (0% highway share). The route utilizes main roads such as Calais Road, Court Street, and Military Street. While the longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, the 'turn-heavy' profile implies a driving experience that requires constant attention to navigation rather than prolonged periods of cruising. Expect a more engaged driving experience as you move through local areas.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.2 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 5.5 miles in near US 1; US 2 / Kendall 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 4h 39m 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 5.5 miles (US 1; US 2 / Kendall Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 205.1 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
On the drive from Hodgdon, ME to South Portland Gardens, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Brunswick
205.1 mi in|~3h 38m|via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 256.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 198.2 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 5.5 miles (US 1; US 2 / Kendall Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 205.1 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at South Portland Gardens, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
