Origin
Holden, ME
Late night in Holden on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
33°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Holden, ME to Portland, ME
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 34m
Distance
134.8 mi
217 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 24m
★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 55m
10 AM
2h 42m
12 PM
2h 40m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 54m
8 PM
2h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Holden, ME
Hc Digital
Portland, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 134.8-mile drive from Holden to Portland, Maine, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 34 minutes on the road, primarily on major interstates like I-95, I-295, and I-395. With 97% of the route being highway, it's a focused drive that gets you to your destination efficiently. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $22. This is a practical option for a day trip within the Northeast region, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
67.4 miles from Holden, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 79 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 295 | 46.5 mi | 52m |
| I 395 | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| Main Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| US 1A | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Wilson Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Cumberland Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Church Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 79 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Holden, ME and Portland, ME.
1
Start on Rider Bluff Road
223 ft
·
17 sec
·
Rider Bluff Road
2
Turn left onto Church Road
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
·
Church Road
3
Turn left onto US 1A
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Road
4
Continue on US 1A
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Wilson Street
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
6
Merge onto I 395; ME 9
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
I 395; ME 9
7
Continue on I 395; ME 15
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 395; ME 15
8
Continue on I 395
148 ft
·
12 sec
·
I 395
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 1A
Toward I 95 South: Newport
10
Merge onto I 95
79 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
I 95
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
46 mi
·
52 min
·
I 295
Exit 103
Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 1A
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1A
Exit 7
Toward US 1A
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Cumberland Avenue
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto Preble Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Preble Street
15
Turn left onto Congress Street
156 ft
·
5 sec
·
Congress Street
16
Arrive at destination
Congress Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 2.5 hours, this trip offers great flexibility. You can depart Holden at your leisure, though an early start can help you beat any potential traffic closer to Portland. With only one stop suggested, you can choose to make it for fuel or a quick break. Pay attention to the longest stretch of 79 miles on I-95; plan your refreshments before entering this segment. The $22 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer interstate sections.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.4 miles from Holden, ME, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.4 miles or 1h 17m 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 5m
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 Holden, 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 Holden, ME
This is one driving day of about 134.8 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Holden, 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 79 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.4 miles from Holden, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 134.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Church Road
Turn left onto Church Road
Navigation decision point
6
7.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Newport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1A
Toward I 95 South: Newport
9
87.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 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...
7
133.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m 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
134.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
Cumberland Avenue
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.70 one way
$43.40 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $23.88 | $47.75 |
| premium | $4.86 | $25.81 | $51.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.76 | $59.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.15 | $6.47 |
| Efficient EV | 33.7 | 0 | $11.80 | $5.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.87 | $8.63 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Portland, ME
Late night in Portland on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Augusta, ME
67 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
18 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 34m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll find this drive to be almost entirely highway-focused, with 97% of the mileage on interstates. The main arteries for this trip are I-95, I-295, and I-395, making for a consistent driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 79 miles on I-95, so be prepared for sustained highway travel. This profile suggests a journey where the focus is on covering distance rather than exploring varied landscapes or winding roads.
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: 79 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 295. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Church Road.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 134.8 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Church Road): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 87.1 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.
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 Holden, ME to Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Brunswick
87.1 mi in
|
~1h 38m
|
via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 134.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: near the start (Church Road): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 87.1 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Portland, ME before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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