This 137-mile drive from Orrington to South Portland, Maine, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to be on the road for about 2 hours and 37 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 94% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-95 and I-295. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, it's an economical option for exploring the Northeast region of Maine. You'll find one recommended stop along the way, and the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 79 miles on I-95, offering a consistent pace.
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
68.5 miles from Orrington, 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
River Road
3.3 mi
4m
South Main Street
1.6 mi
2m
I 395
1.3 mi
1m
Casco Bay Bridge
1.1 mi
1m
ME 15
1 mi
1m
State Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 79 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orrington, ME and South Portland, ME.
1
Start on Center Drive
69 ft·6 sec·Center Drive
2
Turn right onto ME 15
3.3 mi·4 min·River Road
3
Continue on South Main Street
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
4
Take the ramp onto ME 15
1.0 mi·1 min·ME 15
5
Continue on I 395; ME 15
1.3 mi·1 min·I 395; ME 15
6
Continue on I 395
148 ft·12 sec·I 395
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Exit 1AToward I 95 South: Newport
8
Merge onto I 95
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 95
9
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.
10
Take the exit onto US 1A
0.4 mi·1 min·US 1A
Exit 7Toward US 1AUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto Marginal Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Marginal Way
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on State Street
1.0 mi·1 min·State Street
13
Continue on ME 77
1.1 mi·1 min·Casco Bay Bridge
14
Continue on ME 77
1.0 mi·1 min·Broadway
15
Turn sharp right onto Pine Street
60 ft·2 sec·Pine Street
16
Arrive at destination
Pine Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 37 minutes, this trip is ideal for a single-day adventure, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Orrington in the morning to maximize your day in South Portland. The route has one recommended stop, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs during the longest stretch of 79 miles on I-95. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $22, and plan your refill accordingly before or after the main interstate segments. The high highway share means you can cover ground quickly, so a midday departure is also a viable option if you prefer a more relaxed start.
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 68.5 miles from Orrington, 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 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 6m
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 Orrington, 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 Orrington, ME
This is one driving day of about 137 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Orrington, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.2 and 137 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.2 mi into trip|~10m 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
86.5 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
132.9 mi into trip|~2h 30m 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
133.3 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|Marginal Way
Turn right onto Marginal Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
137 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|Pine Street
Turn sharp right onto Pine Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.05 one way
$44.11 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$24.27
$48.53
premium
$4.86
$26.23
$52.47
diesel
$5.61
$30.25
$60.50
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
$22
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 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
41.1
0
$14.39
$6.58
Efficient EV
34.3
0
$11.99
$5.48
EV Truck/SUV
54.8
0
$19.18
$8.77
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Orrington, ME
Late night
in Orrington on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Portland, ME
Late night
in South Portland on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
50°F
Augusta, ME
69 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 37m 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 94.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a predominantly highway experience on this route, with a significant 94% share of the drive on major interstates. The profile is clearly highway-focused, allowing for a consistent speed for much of the 137 miles. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of 79 miles on I-95, which means extended periods of smooth, predictable driving. While the roads are primarily interstates, there are brief transitions onto River Road, offering a slight change of pace before rejoining the main arteries. This drive prioritizes efficiency and direct travel over winding scenic byways.
94% 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?
3/10
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 7.2 miles in.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 37m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 86.5 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.9 miles (US 1A): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Orrington, ME to South Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Brunswick
86.5 mi in|~1h 37m|via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 137 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 79 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 7.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 86.5 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.9 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.
