Origin
South Portland, ME
Morning in South Portland on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from South Portland, ME to Damariscotta, ME
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 20m
Distance
55.9 mi
90 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 24m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Portland, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Damariscotta, ME
Ever Rayan
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick getaway from South Portland to Damariscotta, you are looking at a manageable 55.9-mile trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay to enjoy the journey. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, the drive is quite economical for a short Northeast excursion. You will primarily navigate via I-295 and Route 1, transitioning smoothly between these major corridors. Because the entire trip stays within Maine, the regional character remains consistent throughout the drive. It is an ideal option if you want a straightforward transit without the fatigue of a long-haul road trip.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 22.6 mi | 26m |
| Route 1 | 11.3 mi | 15m |
| Mill Street | 9.2 mi | 13m |
| Bath Road | 4 mi | 7m |
| Main Street | 3 mi | 6m |
| Pleasant Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Casco Bay Bridge | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Broadway | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 22.6 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Portland, ME and Damariscotta, 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
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 295; US 1
8
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28
Toward US 1: Brunswick, Bath, Coastal Route
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 1
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Pleasant Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto Mill Street
9.2 mi
·
13 min
·
Mill Street
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 1
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
12
Continue on US 1
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Route 1
13
Continue on US 1
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Bath Road
14
Continue on US 1; ME 27
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
15
Continue on US 1; ME 27
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Route 1
16
Take the exit onto US 1 BUS
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Main Street
Toward US 1 BUS: Pemaquid Beach, Pemaquid, Damariscotta, Bristol
17
Continue on US 1 BUS
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 1 BUS
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.9 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 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 54.4 — 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
4
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 295 North, US 1 North: Falmouth
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 295 North, US 1 North: Falmouth
8
26 mi into trip
|
~32m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28
Toward US 1: Brunswick, Bath, Coastal Route
5
28.4 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
Mill Street
Turn left onto Mill Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
54.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
US 1 BUS / Main Street
Take the exit onto US 1 BUS / Main Street toward US 1 BUS: Pemaquid Beach, Pemaquid, Damariscotta, Bristol
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 1 BUS: Pemaquid Beach, Pemaquid, Dama...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.00 one way
$18.00 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $9.90 | $19.80 |
| premium | $4.86 | $10.70 | $21.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.34 | $24.68 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.00
Bay Bridge
$7.00
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$7
Total
$16
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.87 | $2.68 |
| Efficient EV | 14 | 0 | $4.89 | $2.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.83 | $3.58 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Damariscotta, ME
Morning in Damariscotta on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Brunswick, ME
28 mi in
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 20m 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?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 61% of this 55.9-mile journey is spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 22.6 miles on I-295. As you transition away from the interstate and onto Route 1 and Mill Street, the pace shifts from a high-speed interstate grind to more conventional driving. This mix ensures you spend the bulk of your time moving efficiently before navigating the final local segments. You should feel comfortable behind the wheel knowing the route favors speed and directness over technical backroads.
61% 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: 22.6 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Route 1. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Broadway.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 20m drive. You will face about 7 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 (Broadway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 South Portland, ME and Damariscotta, ME, road signs point toward Bath and Coastal Route.
Bath
26 mi in
|
~32m
Coastal Route
26 mi in
|
~32m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 20m. Total distance: 55.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.6 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.00 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.
Yes — we found about 2 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.
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 3.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Damariscotta, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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