Origin
Searsport, ME
Late night in Searsport on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Searsport, ME to City of 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 39m
Distance
111 mi
179 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 29m
★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Searsport, ME
Felix Mittermeier
City of Portland, ME
Brett Sayles
Trip Overview
Embarking on this 111-mile journey from Searsport to the City of Portland, Maine, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend approximately 2 hours and 39 minutes on the road, with an estimated fuel cost of around $18. This trip primarily utilizes I-295, the Belfast Augusta Road, and North Belfast Avenue, offering a mixed driving experience as you traverse within the Northeast region. Given its manageable length, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule and plenty of time to explore your destination.
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
55.5 miles from Searsport, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 46.5 mi | 52m |
| Belfast Augusta Road | 17.6 mi | 21m |
| North Belfast Avenue | 9.1 mi | 13m |
| Maine Turnpike | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Augusta Road | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Acadia Highway | 4 mi | 4m |
| Belmont Avenue | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| Belfast Augusta Road East | 3.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 46.5 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Searsport, ME and City of Portland, ME.
1
Start on Elm Street
179 ft
·
12 sec
·
Elm Street
2
Turn left onto US 1; ME 3
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on US 1; ME 3
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Searsport Avenue
4
Continue on US 1; ME 3
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Route 1
5
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
ME 3
6
Keep slight right at fork onto ME 3
373 ft
·
12 sec
·
ME 3
7
Merge onto ME 3
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Belmont Avenue
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Augusta Road
9
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Belfast Augusta Road East
10
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Acadia Highway
11
Continue on ME 3
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Belfast Augusta Road
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
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
North Belfast Avenue
14
Turn left onto US 202; ME 9
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Belfast Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Bangor Street
16
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
159 ft
·
3 sec
·
Memorial Drive
17
Continue on US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Memorial Drive
18
Enter roundabout onto US 201; ME 27
401 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Street
19
Continue on US 201; ME 27
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
State Street
20
Turn right onto Capitol Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Capitol Street
21
Turn straight onto Armory Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Armory Street
22
Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Western Avenue
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
25
Merge onto I 95
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Maine Turnpike
26
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.
27
Take the exit onto US 1A
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 1A
Exit 7
Toward US 1A
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on Maine State Pier
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Maine State Pier
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn slight right
187 ft
·
13 sec
30
Turn straight onto Portland - Peaks Island
2.5 mi
·
20 min
·
Portland - Peaks Island
31
Continue
213 ft
·
15 sec
32
Continue on Welch Street
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
Welch Street
33
Turn right onto Oakland Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Oakland Avenue
34
Turn slight left onto Whitehead Street
351 ft
·
15 sec
·
Whitehead Street
35
Continue on Seashore Avenue
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Seashore Avenue
36
Continue on Seashore Avenue
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Seashore Avenue
37
Arrive at destination
Seashore Avenue
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 111-mile trip, you have the advantage of flexibility with your departure time. Planning to leave in the morning will allow you to arrive in Portland with ample daylight. Since the drive is just under 3 hours, you might only need one brief stop for fuel or a restroom break. Keep an eye out for the transition from highway to local roads as you approach your destination, which is a good cue to start looking for your specific turn-off in Portland. The estimated fuel cost of $18 makes budgeting straightforward.
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 55.5 miles from Searsport, ME, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.5 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.5 miles or 1h 13m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Portland, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Searsport, 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 Searsport, ME
This is one driving day of about 111 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Searsport, 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 295 for about 46.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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 55.5 miles from Searsport, 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 6.4 and 105.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
ME 3
Keep slight right at fork onto ME 3
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
6.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
ME 3 / Belmont Avenue
Merge onto ME 3 / Belmont Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
52.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
9
59.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m 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
105.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.87 one way
$35.74 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $19.66 | $39.32 |
| premium | $4.86 | $21.26 | $42.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.51 | $49.01 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.36
Maine Turnpike
(5.9 mi)
$0.36
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
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.65 | $5.33 |
| Efficient EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.71 | $4.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.4 | 0 | $15.54 | $7.10 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
City of Portland, ME
Late night in City of Portland on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Augusta, ME
56 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 39m 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?
This drive offers a balanced profile, with 49% of it being highway driving. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 46.5 miles on I-295, providing a good opportunity to maintain a consistent speed. The route shifts between faster highway segments and more local road sections, indicated by the use of Belfast Augusta Road and North Belfast Avenue. This mix means you'll experience varied driving conditions as you progress from Searsport towards Portland.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.5 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in near ME 3.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 111 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: at 6.4 miles (ME 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6.5 miles (ME 3 / Belmont Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Searsport, ME and City of Portland, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor, Kittery and Brunswick.
Waterville
52.6 mi in
|
~1h 9m
Bangor
52.6 mi in
|
~1h 9m
Kittery
52.9 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Brunswick
59.5 mi in
|
~1h 18m
|
via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 111 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (49%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.5 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.36 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 City of 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: at 6.4 miles (ME 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6.5 miles (ME 3 / Belmont Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of 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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