South Portland, ME to Washburn, ME is 302.2 miles and takes about 5h 54m via Maine Turnpike and I-295, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and entirely within Maine, making it a straightforward drive. With 84% of the route on highways, you'll experience mostly efficient travel. It's a solid option for a single-day trip if you're looking to cover ground without extensive stops.
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
151.1 miles from South Portland, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Maine Turnpike
198.3 mi
3h 26m
I 295
46.8 mi
53m
Houlton Road
10.3 mi
14m
Washburn Road
9.5 mi
16m
Route 1
9.1 mi
14m
Main Road
6.7 mi
10m
North Road
5.8 mi
8m
North Street
3.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 198.3 mi, about 3h 26m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,306 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,679
Quietest
1 AM
~48 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.2×
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 Washburn, 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
198 mi·3 hr 26 min·Maine Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 302Toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
10
Turn left onto US 1
3.2 mi·5 min·North Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 1
5.8 mi·8 min·North Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on US 1
0.7 mi·54 sec·US Highway 1
13
Continue on US 1
6.4 mi·10 min·Route 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Continue on US 1
6.7 mi·10 min·Main Road
15
Continue on US 1
2.7 mi·4 min·Route 1
16
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·40 sec·Military Road
17
Continue on US 1
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
18
Turn left onto US 1
0.7 mi·2 min·Benjamin Street
19
Continue on US 1
2.0 mi·3 min·Presque Isle Road
20
Continue on US 1
10 mi·14 min·Houlton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 1
1.3 mi·3 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto State Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·State Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Turn right onto ME 163; ME 227
0.8 mi·1 min·Parsons Street
24
Continue on ME 163; ME 227
0.2 mi·17 sec·State Road
25
Continue on ME 163
0.7 mi·1 min·Connector Road
26
Turn left onto US 1
0.3 mi·54 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
27
Turn left onto Washburn Road
9.5 mi·16 min·Washburn Road
28
Continue on Main Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Main Street
29
Turn left onto ME 228
141 ft·8 sec·Hines Street
30
Turn left onto Gould Street
154 ft·6 sec·Gould Street
31
Arrive at destination
Gould Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 54m estimated drive time and a $48 fuel cost, this trip is easily achievable in one day. Aim to depart South Portland in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. The longest stretch on the Maine Turnpike is nearly 200 miles, so plan for your first significant break after that segment. While there's only one suggested stop, you might want to factor in an additional short pause for fuel or a quick stretch, especially as you transition off the main highways onto Houlton Road.
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 151.1 miles from South Portland, ME, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.3 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 66 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.1 miles or 2h 44m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washburn, 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 302.2 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 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 Maine Turnpike for about 198.3 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 and 291.4 — 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
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
248.5 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 302
Toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
6
289.6 mi into trip|~5h 32m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
291.4 mi into trip|~5h 35m in|US 1 / Main Street
Turn left onto US 1 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.42 one way
$94.85 round trip
$3.99/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$53.25
$106.51
premium
$4.81
$57.25
$114.50
diesel
$4.80
$57.06
$114.12
Estimated Tolls: $18.90
Maine Turnpike
(198.3 mi)$11.90
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
$47
Tolls
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.7
1
$31.73
$14.51
Efficient EV
75.6
0
$26.44
$12.09
EV Truck/SUV
120.9
1
$42.31
$19.34
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
South Portland, ME
Night
in South Portland on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
NW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 2:06AM EDT until July 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
Destination
Washburn, ME
Night
in Washburn on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Sunny
NW 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 2:06AM EDT until July 17 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
7 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 54m 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.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
National Monument
Spread across a wild landscape offering spectacular views of Katahdin, Katahdin Woods and Waters invites discovery of its rivers, streams, woods, flora, fauna, geology, and the night skies that have a...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 208.4
Park Closure: Loop Road and North Entrance Seasonal Closures
Park Closure: Katahdin Overlook Construction Closure
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 41.7
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, with 84% of the 302.2 miles on high-speed roads like the Maine Turnpike and I-295. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of highway for 198.3 miles on the Maine Turnpike. Expect a transition to surface roads, such as Houlton Road, after this extensive highway segment. The initial portion offers continuous, fast-paced driving before shifting to a more rural, local road feel.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.3 mi on Maine Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and I 295. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Broadway.
Driving Effort5/10
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 302.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 248.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
663 ft25 ft
Total Climb
933 ft
Total Descent
470 ft
Highest Point
663 ft
~237.4 mi in
Elevation Range
638 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 Washburn, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Presque Isle along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 54m. Total distance: 302.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 198.3 miles on Maine Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $18.90 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 10 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 10 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 248.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Washburn, ME before the return drive.
