Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
44.8 mi
72 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portland, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Wiscasset, ME
Jonathan Valdes
This straightforward 44.8-mile drive from Portland to Wiscasset, Maine, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just over an hour. Primarily following I-295 before transitioning to local roads like Mill Street and Route 1, the journey offers a practical way to get from one Northeast destination to another. With an estimated fuel cost of $7, this short excursion is budget-friendly. The route is mostly highway-focused, making it a quick and efficient option for those looking to maximize their time exploring the destination rather than the drive itself.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 22 mi | 25m |
| Mill Street | 9.2 mi | 13m |
| Route 1 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Bath Road | 4 mi | 7m |
| Pleasant Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Franklin Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Cumberland Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Portland, ME and Wiscasset, ME.
Start on Congress Street
Turn left onto Elm Street
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
Turn left onto US 1A
Take the ramp onto US 1A
Merge onto I 295; US 1
Take the exit
Continue on US 1
Turn left onto Mill Street
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1; ME 27
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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.
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 22.4 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 25.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Elm Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 1A / Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 1: Brunswick, Bath, Coastal Route
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto Mill Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$7.21 one way
$14.42 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $7.94 | $15.87 |
| premium | $4.86 | $8.58 | $17.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.89 | $19.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.70 | $2.15 |
| Efficient EV | 11.2 | 0 | $3.92 | $1.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.9 | 0 | $6.27 | $2.87 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Portland on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Destination
Late night in Wiscasset on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
46°F
Brunswick, ME
22 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 61% of the journey utilizing interstate travel. You'll experience a solid 22-mile stretch on I-295, offering consistent speed and ease of navigation. As you approach Wiscasset, the character shifts from the efficiency of the interstate to more local road conditions via Mill Street and Route 1, requiring a slight adjustment in driving style. Expect a smooth progression, largely characterized by the predictability of well-maintained roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Mill Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Elm Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 3m drive. You will face about 6 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Portland, ME and Wiscasset, ME, road signs point toward Bath and Coastal Route.
Bath
Coastal Route
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 3m. Total distance: 44.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Straightforward navigation.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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