Origin
South Portland, ME
Morning in South Portland on Tuesday
Local time
7:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from South Portland, ME to China, 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
1h 43m
Distance
81 mi
130 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Portland, ME
Wikimedia Commons
China, ME
Alex Bian
Trip Overview
South Portland, ME to China, ME is 81 miles and takes about 1 hour 43 minutes via I 295 and Maine Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Maine, making it a convenient option for a quick trip. You'll primarily be on major highways, so expect a smooth and efficient commute. The route is designed for those looking for a no-fuss connection between these two points in the Northeast. Given its short length and highway focus, it's ideal for a same-day excursion without significant planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.5 miles from South Portland, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 46.8 mi | 53m |
| Maine Turnpike | 9.8 mi | 10m |
| North Belfast Avenue | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| US 202 | 7.1 mi | 11m |
| Augusta Bypass | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Route 3 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Casco Bay Bridge | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Broadway | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 46.8 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Portland, ME and China, ME.
1
Start on Pine Street
60 ft
·
9 sec
·
Pine Street
2
Turn sharp left onto Broadway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
3
Continue on ME 77
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Casco Bay Bridge
4
Turn straight onto ME 77
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
York Street
5
Turn left onto ME 77
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 295 North, US 1 North: Falmouth
7
Merge onto I 295; US 1
47 mi
·
53 min
·
I 295; US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 95
9.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Maine Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 113
Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
11
Merge onto ME 3
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Augusta Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
North Belfast Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Belfast Road
14
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 3
15
Turn slight left onto US 202; ME 9
7.1 mi
·
11 min
·
US 202; ME 9
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Main Street
17
Turn left onto Causeway Road
110 ft
·
4 sec
·
Causeway Road
18
Arrive at destination
Causeway Road
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under two hours, this trip is best suited for a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to complete the drive and arrive at your destination without feeling rushed. Since the drive is relatively short, you don't need to plan for extensive stops, but a quick break around the halfway point is always a good idea. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $13, and it's wise to top off before departing South Portland to ensure you have ample fuel for the entire 81-mile stretch.
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 40.5 miles from South Portland, ME, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.8 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.5 miles or 48m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near China, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Portland, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Portland, ME
This is one driving day of about 81 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from South 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 46.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.5 miles from South 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 60.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Broadway
Turn sharp left onto Broadway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m 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
60 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m 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
5
60.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
60.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
ME 3 / Augusta Bypass
Merge onto ME 3 / Augusta Bypass
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.04 one way
$26.08 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $14.35 | $28.69 |
| premium | $4.86 | $15.51 | $31.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.88 | $35.77 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.59
Bay Bridge
$7.00
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
$13
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 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 | 24.3 | 0 | $8.50 | $3.89 |
| Efficient EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.09 | $3.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.4 | 0 | $11.34 | $5.18 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
China, ME
Morning in China on Tuesday
Local time
7:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Brunswick, ME
41 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.
Road read
1h 43m 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 is mostly highway, with 82% of the 81 miles on major roads like I 295 and the Maine Turnpike. You'll experience a longest stretch of 46.8 miles on I 295 before transitioning to North Belfast Avenue. Expect frequent exits and entrances on the highway portions. As you move onto North Belfast Avenue, the character shifts to more typical surface road driving.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.8 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Broadway.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broadway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.4 miles (I 295; US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from South Portland, ME to China, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
Belfast
60 mi in
|
~1h 10m
About the Cities
Starting in South Portland, ME
Full guide →South Portland is a city in Maine.
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 1h 43m. Total distance: 81 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.8 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.59 in tolls one way, starting with Bay Bridge. 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 China, ME before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 (Broadway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.4 miles (I 295; US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at China, 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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