Origin
South Portland, ME
Late night in South Portland on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from South Portland, ME to Union, 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 47m
Distance
81.1 mi
131 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Portland, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Union, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 81.1-mile drive from South Portland, ME, to Union, ME, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-295, Rockland Road, and Augusta Road, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, this journey through the Northeast region of Maine is a straightforward and efficient option for a day excursion. You won't need to worry about breaking this trip into segments; it’s designed for a single, focused drive.
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 | 45.6 mi | 51m |
| Rockland Road | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| Augusta Road | 5 mi | 7m |
| Augusta-Rockland Road | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Togus Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Heald Highway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Windsor Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Lewiston Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 45.6 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Portland, ME and Union, 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
46 mi
·
51 min
·
I 295; US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 51
Toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner
9
Turn right onto ME 9; ME 126
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lewiston Road
10
Continue on Cobbossee Avenue
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Cobbossee Avenue
11
Continue on Lewiston Road
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Lewiston Road
12
Continue on Central Street
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Central Street
13
Turn straight onto Water Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Water Street
14
Turn left onto US 201
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Bridge Street
15
At end of road, turn right onto ME 27; ME 126
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Water Street
16
Turn left onto ME 226
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Windsor Street
17
Continue on ME 226
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Togus Road
18
At end of road, turn right onto ME 17
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Augusta Road
19
Continue on ME 17
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Eastern Avenue
20
Continue on ME 17
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Augusta Road
21
Continue on ME 17
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Augusta-Rockland Road
22
Continue on ME 17; ME 32
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Rockland Road
23
Continue on ME 17; ME 32
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Rockland Road
24
Continue on ME 17
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Augusta Road
25
Continue on ME 17
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Rockland Road
26
Continue on ME 17
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Heald Highway
27
Turn right onto Common Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Common Road
28
Arrive at destination
Common Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this route offers a lot of flexibility for departure times. Aiming for an early morning start can help you avoid any potential local traffic as you get closer to Union. Since there are no specifically noted stops, plan for one quick break roughly halfway through if needed, perhaps around the 45-mile mark. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is low at $13, it's always wise to top off before heading out, especially given the 45.6-mile stretch on I-295 where services might be less frequent.
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 45.6 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union, 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 81.1 miles and 1h 47m.
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 45.6 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 58.5 — 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
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
49 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 51
Toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner
5
58.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
ME 17 / Augusta Road
At end of road, turn right onto ME 17 / Augusta Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.06 one way
$26.11 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $14.36 | $28.73 |
| premium | $4.86 | $15.53 | $31.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.91 | $35.81 |
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.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 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 | $8.52 | $3.89 |
| Efficient EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.10 | $3.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.4 | 0 | $11.35 | $5.19 |
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
Union, ME
Late night in Union on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°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 47m 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?
The character of this drive is predominantly highway, with 56% of the journey on faster roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 45.6 miles on I-295, which provides a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. As you transition from the interstate to Rockland Road and Augusta Road, expect the driving experience to become more varied, blending efficient highway travel with potentially more local road conditions. This mixed profile means you'll experience both steady cruising and potentially more engaging driving as you approach your destination.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.6 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 47m drive. You will face about 11 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 3.4 miles (I 295; US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Union, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Gardiner along the way.
Gardiner
49 mi in
|
~57m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 81.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (56%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.6 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. 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 3.4 miles (I 295; US 1): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Union, 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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