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Trip Overview
South Portland to Machias is 202.7 miles and takes about 4h 25m via I 295 and US 1, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maine, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. While mostly highway, you'll transition to more scenic surface roads as you head up the coast. It's a straightforward drive for a single day, perfect if you want to maximize time at your destination.
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
101.3 miles from South Portland, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
46.8 mi
53m
US 1
30.6 mi
45m
Route 3
17.6 mi
21m
Route 1
15.8 mi
23m
Acadia Highway
13.4 mi
15m
Maine Turnpike
9.8 mi
10m
Bucksport Road
8.5 mi
9m
North Belfast Avenue
8.1 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 46.8 mi, about 53m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 31 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,388 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,895
Quietest
2 AM
~84 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
28.4×
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, ME and Machias, 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 113Toward 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
18 mi·21 min·Route 3
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Acadia Highway
16
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi·3 min·Belfast Augusta Road West
17
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi·5 min·Augusta Road
18
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Belmont Avenue
19
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi·43 sec·ME 3
20
Merge onto US 1; ME 3
0.7 mi·1 min·Route 1
21
Continue on US 1; ME 3
2.7 mi·4 min·Searsport Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 1; ME 3
7.0 mi·8 min·West Main Street
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3
6.3 mi·7 min·East Main Street
24
Continue on US 1; ME 3
1.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 1
25
Continue on US 1; ME 3
508 ft·12 sec·Route 1
26
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
1.0 mi·1 min·Route 1
27
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
9.4 mi·10 min·Acadia Highway
28
Continue on US 1; ME 3
8.5 mi·9 min·Bucksport Road
29
Continue on US 1; ME 3
0.2 mi·17 sec·West Main Street
30
Turn right onto ME 230
0.7 mi·1 min·Water Street
Use the right lane.
31
Turn left onto Foster Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Foster Street
32
Turn right onto US 1; ME 3
0.3 mi·43 sec·High Street
33
Turn left onto US 1; ME 3
31 mi·45 min·US 1; ME 3
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
34
Turn right onto US 1A
0.3 mi·29 sec·Bridge Street
35
Continue on US 1A
4.1 mi·6 min·Kennedy Highway
36
Continue on US 1A
3.0 mi·4 min·US Highway 1A
37
Continue on US 1A
0.2 mi·18 sec·Kennedy Highway
38
Continue on US 1
0.5 mi·47 sec·Main Street
39
Continue on US 1
14 mi·20 min·Route 1
40
Continue on US 1
3.3 mi·4 min·Harrington Road
41
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi·21 sec·Outer Dublin Street
42
Continue on US 1
2.3 mi·3 min·Dublin Street
43
Turn left onto Colonial Way
0.1 mi·15 sec·Colonial Way
44
Turn right onto Broadway
404 ft·9 sec·Broadway
45
Turn right onto US 1A
53 ft·1 sec·Court Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
46
Arrive at destination
US 1A
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 25m drive time, leaving South Portland in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Machias with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move onto US 1, where services might be more spread out than on the interstate. The $36 fuel estimate is a good baseline for planning your budget for this 202.7-mile trip.
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 101.3 miles from South Portland, ME, or about 2h 2m 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 45 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.3 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Machias, 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.
+
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, ME
This is one driving day of about 202.7 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from South Portland, 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 46.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 202.6 — 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
6
202.6 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|US 1A / Court Street
Turn right onto US 1A / Court Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.81 one way
$63.62 round trip
$3.99/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$35.72
$71.44
premium
$4.81
$38.40
$76.80
diesel
$4.80
$38.27
$76.55
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
$32
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
13 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Scarborough, ME - Tesla Supercharger
Scarborough, ME
Tesla
12 DCFC
Portland, ME - Brighton Avenue - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.8
0
$21.28
$9.73
Efficient EV
50.7
0
$17.74
$8.11
EV Truck/SUV
81.1
1
$28.38
$12.97
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
South Portland, ME
Late night
in South Portland on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 10 to 15 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 1:56PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
Destination
Machias, ME
Late night
in Machias on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Light Rain
SW 9 to 16 mph89% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 1:56PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Caribou 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
6 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
4h 25m 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.
Acadia National Park
National Park
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$6
near mile 153.7
Park Closure: Park Loop Road Detour
Park Closure: Several Trails Close For Peregrine Falcon Nesting Season
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 41.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 62% highway, with the bulk of that, 46.8 miles, on I 295. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on this interstate before transitioning to US 1. Expect a shift from denser highway exits to a more rural cruising feel once you leave the interstate system. The remaining part of the drive will be on surface roads, offering a different driving experience.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Broadway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 202.7 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: 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
520 ft25 ft
Total Climb
584 ft
Total Descent
527 ft
Highest Point
520 ft
~86.9 mi in
Elevation Range
495 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, ME to Machias, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 202.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
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.
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 Machias, 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. There are 2 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: 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 — Acadia National Park and Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Machias, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
