Portland, ME to Hope, ME is 87.8 miles and takes about 2h 3m via I 295 and Rockland Road, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maine, taking you from the bustling Northeast region to a more tranquil part of the Northeast. It's a relatively short drive, making it ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll experience a mixed drive, so expect some highway cruising and some more local road travel. This route offers a straightforward journey between two points in the Pine Tree State.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.9 miles from Portland, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
45 mi
50m
Rockland Road
8.4 mi
11m
Heald Highway
6.5 mi
9m
Augusta Road
5 mi
7m
Hatchet Mountain Road
4.8 mi
11m
Augusta-Rockland Road
4.1 mi
6m
Togus Road
3.7 mi
6m
Buzzell Hill Road
2.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 45 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portland, ME and Hope, ME.
1
Start on Congress Street
131 ft·11 sec·Congress Street
2
Turn left onto Elm Street
519 ft·22 sec·Elm Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·Cumberland Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto US 1A
0.4 mi·36 sec·Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp onto US 1A
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 1A
6
Merge onto I 295; US 1
45 mi·50 min·I 295; US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 51Toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner
8
Turn right onto ME 9; ME 126
1.1 mi·1 min·Lewiston Road
9
Continue on Cobbossee Avenue
0.7 mi·59 sec·Cobbossee Avenue
10
Continue on Lewiston Road
0.1 mi·10 sec·Lewiston Road
11
Continue on Central Street
0.2 mi·15 sec·Central Street
12
Turn straight onto Water Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Water Street
13
Turn left onto US 201
0.5 mi·49 sec·Bridge Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto ME 27; ME 126
0.2 mi·33 sec·Water Street
15
Turn left onto ME 226
1.7 mi·3 min·Windsor Street
16
Continue on ME 226
3.7 mi·6 min·Togus Road
17
At end of road, turn right onto ME 17
0.6 mi·52 sec·Augusta Road
18
Continue on ME 17
1.1 mi·1 min·Eastern Avenue
19
Continue on ME 17
0.9 mi·1 min·Augusta Road
20
Continue on ME 17
4.1 mi·6 min·Augusta-Rockland Road
21
Continue on ME 17; ME 32
1.3 mi·1 min·Rockland Road
22
Continue on ME 17; ME 32
4.9 mi·6 min·Rockland Road
23
Continue on ME 17
3.5 mi·4 min·Augusta Road
24
Continue on ME 17
2.2 mi·3 min·Rockland Road
25
Continue on ME 17
6.5 mi·9 min·Heald Highway
26
Turn left onto ME 235
2.2 mi·5 min·Buzzell Hill Road
27
Turn right onto ME 235
4.8 mi·11 min·Hatchet Mountain Road
28
Turn left onto ME 105
174 ft·4 sec·Camden Road
29
Arrive at destination
ME 105
Trip Plan
Given this route is only 2h 3m, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving Portland in the morning means you can arrive in Hope with plenty of daylight to spare. Plan for just one or two brief stops, as the drive is quite manageable. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach the 45-mile stretch on I 295, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination without needing to detour for gas. A practical tip for this route is to be aware that the transition from I 295 to Rockland Road can sometimes involve traffic depending on the time of day, so factor that into your timing if you're aiming for a specific arrival.
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 43.9 miles from Portland, ME, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45 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 19 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.9 miles or 50m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hope, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Portland, 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 Portland, ME
This is one driving day of about 87.8 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Portland, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 45 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 46.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Elm Street
Turn left onto Elm Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Cumberland Avenue
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|US 1A / Franklin Street
Turn left onto US 1A / Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|I 295; US 1
Merge onto I 295; US 1
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
46.2 mi into trip|~53m in
Take the exit toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 51
Toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.13 one way
$28.27 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$15.55
$31.10
premium
$4.86
$16.81
$33.63
diesel
$5.61
$19.39
$38.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.3
0
$9.22
$4.21
Efficient EV
22
0
$7.68
$3.51
EV Truck/SUV
35.1
0
$12.29
$5.62
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Portland, ME
Night
in Portland on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hope, ME
Night
in Hope on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 3m 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 36.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 52% of it on highways. You'll encounter a 45-mile stretch on I 295, providing a good opportunity for steady progress. As you transition off the interstate, the route shifts to roads like Rockland Road and Heald Highway, which will likely feel more like local driving. This change in road type means you'll go from higher speeds to more moderate paces, so be prepared for that shift. The overall drive is not a monotonous interstate grind but rather a blend that keeps things interesting.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Elm 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 2h 3m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Cumberland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 1A / Franklin Street): 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 Portland, ME to Hope, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Gardiner along the way.
Gardiner
46.2 mi in|~53m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 87.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: near the start (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Cumberland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 1A / Franklin Street): 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 Hope, ME before heading back.
