South Portland Gardens, ME to Eastport, ME is 255.3 miles and takes about 5h 22m via I-95/I-295/I-395, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Maine, taking you from the southern part of the state up to its easternmost point. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, this route is designed for efficient travel. You'll want to be prepared for a straightforward drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
127.6 miles from South Portland Gardens, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 395
90.1 mi
2h 3m
Maine Turnpike
79.2 mi
1h 25m
I 295
49.9 mi
57m
US Route 1
11.6 mi
17m
County Road
6.5 mi
11m
River Road
6.1 mi
9m
Route 1
3.8 mi
4m
Baring Street
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 395
— 90.1 mi, about 2h 3m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 39 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,557 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,064
Quietest
2 AM
~87 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
29.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Portland Gardens, ME and Eastport, ME.
1
Start on Devereaux Circle
0.2 mi·50 sec·Devereaux Circle
2
Turn right onto Westbrook Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·Westbrook Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto ME 9
208 ft·7 sec·Western Avenue
4
Continue on ME 9
0.1 mi·15 sec·Westbrook Street
5
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 295 North: Portland
6
Merge onto I 295
50 mi·57 min·I 295
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 95
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·Maine Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 182AToward I 395 South, ME 15 South: Bangor, Brewer
9
Merge onto I 395; ME 15
0.7 mi·55 sec·I 395; ME 15
10
Continue on I 395; ME 9; ME 15
89 mi·2 hr 2 min·I 395; ME 9; ME 15
11
Continue on US 1; ME 9
0.2 mi·13 sec·Houlton Road
12
Continue on US 1; ME 9
2.6 mi·2 min·Route 1
13
Continue on US 1; ME 9
1.9 mi·2 min·Baring Street
14
Enter roundabout onto US 1; ME 9
67 ft·0 sec·Baring Street
15
Continue on US 1; ME 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·Baring Street
16
Continue on US 1; ME 9
1.7 mi·2 min·North Street
17
Turn right onto US 1
511 ft·8 sec·Route 1
18
Continue on US 1
1.6 mi·2 min·Main Street
19
Continue on US 1
3.2 mi·4 min·River Road
20
Continue on US 1
1.1 mi·1 min·Route 1
21
Continue on US 1
2.9 mi·4 min·River Road
22
Continue on US 1
12 mi·17 min·US Route 1
23
Turn left onto County Road
6.5 mi·11 min·County Road
24
Turn left onto ME 190
0.4 mi·44 sec·Washington Street
25
Turn left onto High Street
31 ft·1 sec·High Street
26
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid any potential midday traffic, especially if you're leaving from the Portland area. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day, but be mindful of the longest stretch of 90.1 miles on I-395; plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly before you get onto that segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $45, so ensure your tank is full before you leave South Portland Gardens. Since it's a relatively quick drive, you have flexibility in your departure time and how you pace any brief stops.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 127.6 miles from South Portland Gardens, ME, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.1 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 56 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.6 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eastport, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Portland Gardens, 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 South Portland Gardens, ME
This is one driving day of about 255.3 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from South Portland Gardens, 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 395 for about 90.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 225.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Westbrook Street
Turn right onto Westbrook Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|ME 9 / Western Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto ME 9 / Western Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|I 295
Merge onto I 295
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
130.5 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 395 South, ME 15 South: Bangor, Brewer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 182A
Toward I 395 South, ME 15 South: Bangor, Brewer
4
225.8 mi into trip|~4h 36m in|US 1; ME 9 / Baring Street
Enter roundabout onto US 1; ME 9 / Baring Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.06 one way
$80.13 round trip
$3.99/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$44.99
$89.98
premium
$4.81
$48.37
$96.73
diesel
$4.80
$48.21
$96.41
Estimated Tolls: $4.75
Maine Turnpike
(79.2 mi)$4.75
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
$40
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.6
0
$26.81
$12.25
Efficient EV
63.8
0
$22.34
$10.21
EV Truck/SUV
102.1
1
$35.74
$16.34
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
South Portland Gardens, ME
Night
in South Portland Gardens on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:42AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Gray ME
Destination
Eastport, ME
Night
in Eastport on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:42AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Gray ME
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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 22m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
$6
near mile 167.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 92% of the 255.3 miles spent on major roadways like the Maine Turnpike, I-295, and I-395. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 90.1 miles on I-395 without needing to exit, indicating long, uninterrupted segments of cruising. Expect to transition to surface roads for the final portion of the trip as you approach Eastport.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.1 mi on I 395.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 395 and Maine Turnpike. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Westbrook Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 22m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Westbrook Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (ME 9 / Western Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.4 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
384 ft57 ft
Total Climb
512 ft
Total Descent
466 ft
Highest Point
384 ft
~182.3 mi in
Elevation Range
327 ft
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 South Portland Gardens, ME to Eastport, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brewer along the way.
Eastport a town in the Down East region of Maine on Moose Island at the junction of Cobscook and Passamaquoddy Bays. A causeway on Route 190 connects the island to the mainland.
Top landmarks
•Boynton Street Historic District — park in the United States of America
•Eastport Historic District — historic district in Eastport, Maine
The longest stretch is about 90.1 miles on I 395. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.75 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.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 0.2 miles (Westbrook Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (ME 9 / Western Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.4 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument and Acadia National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Eastport, ME before the return drive.
