Origin
Portland, ME
Morning in Portland on Tuesday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Portland, ME to Swanville, ME
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
109.7 mi
177 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 7m
★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portland, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Swanville, ME
Tito Zzzz
Trip Overview
Portland, ME to Swanville, ME is 109.7 miles and takes about 2h 16m via I 295 and Route 3, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Maine, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll primarily be on highways for this trip, making it a straightforward connection between these two points. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.8 miles from Portland, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 46.3 mi | 52m |
| Route 3 | 17.6 mi | 21m |
| Maine Turnpike | 9.8 mi | 10m |
| North Belfast Avenue | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| Swan Lake Avenue | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| Augusta Road | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Belmont Avenue | 4 mi | 4m |
| Acadia Highway | 4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 46.3 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portland, ME and Swanville, 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
46 mi
·
52 min
·
I 295; US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 95
9.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Maine Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 113
Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
10
Merge onto ME 3
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Augusta Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
North Belfast Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Belfast Road
13
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Route 3
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Acadia Highway
15
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Belfast Augusta Road West
16
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Augusta Road
17
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Belmont Avenue
18
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
ME 3
19
Merge onto US 1; ME 3
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Route 1
20
Continue on US 1; ME 3
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Searsport Avenue
21
Turn left onto ME 141
6.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Swan Lake Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto Curtis Road
168 ft
·
4 sec
·
Curtis Road
23
Arrive at destination
Curtis Road
Trip Plan
For this 2h 16m drive, leaving Portland in the morning will allow you to arrive in Swanville with plenty of time to spare. Since it's a shorter trip, you have flexibility with stops, but consider a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The estimated fuel cost is $18, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Portland. Pay attention to the transition from highway to Route 3, as the driving experience will change.
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 54.8 miles from Portland, ME, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 24 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.8 miles or 1h 3m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Swanville, 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 109.7 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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 46.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.8 miles from Portland, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 57.2 — 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
57.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 113
Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.66 one way
$35.32 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $19.43 | $38.86 |
| premium | $4.86 | $21.01 | $42.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.22 | $48.44 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Maine Turnpike
(9.8 mi)
$0.59
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
$18
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.52 | $5.27 |
| Efficient EV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.60 | $4.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.36 | $7.02 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Swanville, ME
Morning in Swanville on Tuesday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Augusta, ME
55 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 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 16m 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 37.8
Park Closure: For Current Visitor Information
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 68% highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch on I 295 covering 46.3 miles. You'll spend most of your time on major roads like the Maine Turnpike and I 295 before transitioning to Route 3. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising, with exits spaced relatively frequently on the initial portion of the drive.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.3 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Route 3. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Elm Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 109.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
571 ft
78 ft
Total Climb
582 ft
Total Descent
456 ft
Highest Point
571 ft
~86.2 mi in
Elevation Range
493 ft
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 Portland, ME to Swanville, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
Belfast
57.2 mi in
|
~1h 5m
About the Cities
Starting in Portland, ME
Full guide →Portland is on a peninsula in Casco Bay on the Southern Maine coast approximately 100 miles (161 km) north of Boston, Massachusetts. It has more than 65,000 inhabitants, making it the largest city in Maine. Portland is a small seaside city with a high concentration of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, tours and many things to see and do. Many people commute to Portland to work, and the city's population significantly increases in the summertime.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 109.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.3 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.59 in tolls one way, starting with Maine Turnpike. 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.
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 Swanville, 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. 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 (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 Swanville, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Swanville, ME
Explore more options from Portland, ME or browse trips ending in Swanville, ME.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse ME road trips.