This 111.7-mile drive from Swanville, ME to South Portland Gardens, ME will take approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes. It's a straightforward trip that's easily manageable as a single-day excursion, with an estimated fuel cost of $18. The route primarily utilizes I-295 and local roads like Belfast Augusta Road and North Belfast Avenue, offering a mixed driving experience. Since both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region and the state of Maine, you'll be staying within familiar territory. This journey is well-suited for a relaxed day trip, allowing you ample flexibility for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.9 miles from Swanville, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
50.2 mi
58m
Belfast Augusta Road
17.6 mi
21m
North Belfast Avenue
9.1 mi
13m
Swan Lake Avenue
6.4 mi
11m
Maine Turnpike
5.9 mi
6m
Augusta Road
4.8 mi
5m
Acadia Highway
4 mi
4m
Belmont Avenue
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 50.2 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swanville, ME and South Portland Gardens, ME.
1
Start on Curtis Road
168 ft·11 sec·Curtis Road
2
Turn left onto ME 141
6.4 mi·11 min·Swan Lake Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 1; ME 3
0.3 mi·32 sec·Searsport Avenue
4
Continue on US 1; ME 3
0.7 mi·1 min·Route 1
5
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi·38 sec·ME 3
6
Keep slight right at fork onto ME 3
373 ft·12 sec·ME 3
7
Merge onto ME 3
3.9 mi·4 min·Belmont Avenue
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi·5 min·Augusta Road
9
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi·3 min·Belfast Augusta Road East
10
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Acadia Highway
11
Continue on ME 3
18 mi·21 min·Belfast Augusta Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi·16 sec·Belfast Road
13
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi·11 min·North Belfast Avenue
14
Turn left onto US 202; ME 9
1.0 mi·1 min·North Belfast Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100
0.6 mi·52 sec·Bangor Street
16
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
159 ft·3 sec·Memorial Drive
17
Continue on US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi·1 min·Memorial Drive
18
Enter roundabout onto US 201; ME 27
401 ft·7 sec·State Street
19
Continue on US 201; ME 27
0.2 mi·19 sec·State Street
20
Turn right onto Capitol Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Capitol Street
21
Turn straight onto Armory Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Armory Street
22
Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
25
Merge onto I 95
5.9 mi·6 min·Maine Turnpike
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
50 mi·58 min·I 295
Exit 103Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, BrunswickUse the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 3Toward ME 9: Jetport
28
Keep slight right at fork
489 ft·15 sec
Exit 3Toward ME 9: Jetport
29
Turn straight onto ME 9
0.1 mi·21 sec·Westbrook Street
30
Turn slight right
224 ft·8 sec
31
Turn straight onto Westbrook Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Westbrook Street
32
Turn left onto Devereaux Circle
0.2 mi·50 sec·Devereaux Circle
33
Arrive at destination
Devereaux Circle
Trip Plan
For this 2 hour and 22 minute drive, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid rush hour and allow for a leisurely start. With only 111.7 miles and a fuel cost of around $18, you won't need extensive planning for stops, but it's always wise to be aware of your fuel gauge. A practical tip for this route: pay attention to your GPS as you transition off I-295 onto local roads, as the route can become less direct. Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of flexibility; if you decide to linger longer at your starting point or want to explore a bit upon arrival, the timing allows for it.
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 55.9 miles from Swanville, ME, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.2 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 25 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.9 miles or 1h 16m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Portland Gardens, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Swanville, 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 Swanville, ME
This is one driving day of about 111.7 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Swanville, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 50.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.6 and 111.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7.6 mi into trip|~13m in|ME 3
Keep slight right at fork onto ME 3
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
7.7 mi into trip|~13m in|ME 3 / Belmont Avenue
Merge onto ME 3 / Belmont Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
54.2 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
9
60.7 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 295
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 103
Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Bru...
7
111.1 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward ME 9: Jetport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 3
Toward ME 9: Jetport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.98 one way
$35.96 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$19.78
$39.57
premium
$4.86
$21.39
$42.78
diesel
$5.61
$24.66
$49.32
Estimated Tolls: $0.36
Maine Turnpike
(5.9 mi)$0.36
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
$18
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.5
0
$11.73
$5.36
Efficient EV
27.9
0
$9.77
$4.47
EV Truck/SUV
44.7
0
$15.64
$7.15
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Swanville, ME
Late night
in Swanville on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Portland Gardens, ME
Late night
in South Portland Gardens on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Augusta, ME
56 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.
Temperature spread
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 22m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Frances Perkins National Monument
National Monument
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 69.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Your drive will involve a mix of highway and local road travel, with 51% of the route on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 50.2 miles, primarily on I-295. Expect a varied driving experience as you transition between the faster pace of the interstate and the more scenic, perhaps slower, sections on roads like Belfast Augusta Road. This blend means you'll get a taste of both efficient travel and more intimate local scenery as you make your way south.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.2 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.6 miles in near ME 3.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 111.7 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: at 7.6 miles (ME 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 7.7 miles (ME 3 / Belmont Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
557 ft26 ft
Total Climb
545 ft
Total Descent
693 ft
Highest Point
557 ft
~23.9 mi in
Elevation Range
531 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Swanville, ME and South Portland Gardens, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor, Kittery and Brunswick.
Waterville
53.8 mi in|~1h 13m
Bangor
53.8 mi in|~1h 13m
Kittery
54.2 mi in|~1h 13m
Brunswick
60.7 mi in|~1h 21m|via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 111.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.2 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.36 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.
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 South Portland Gardens, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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: at 7.6 miles (ME 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 7.7 miles (ME 3 / Belmont Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 South Portland Gardens, ME before heading back.
