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Trip from Vinalhaven, ME to City of Portland, ME

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 33m

Distance

100.3 mi

161 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 21m ★
6 AM
3h 34m
8 AM
3h 58m
10 AM
3h 42m
12 PM
3h 40m
3 PM
3h 44m
5 PM
3h 57m
8 PM
3h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Vinalhaven, ME, ME

Vinalhaven, ME

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown City of Portland, ME, ME

City of Portland, ME

Brett Sayles

Trip Overview

This 100.3-mile journey from Vinalhaven, ME, to the City of Portland, ME, is a straightforward and manageable drive, estimated to take around 3 hours and 33 minutes. It's well-suited for a single day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The route involves a mix of travel, utilizing the Rockland/Vinalhaven Ferry, Route 1, and I-295. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, this trip is quite budget-friendly. This drive primarily stays within the Northeast region, specifically Maine, offering a classic New England coastal feel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

50.2 miles from Vinalhaven, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 295 21.1 mi 24m
Route 1 19 mi 26m
Rockland/Vinalhaven Ferry 17.1 mi 1h 15m
Atlantic Highway 13.4 mi 18m
Leeman Highway 9.2 mi 13m
Bath Road 4 mi 7m
Main Street 3.4 mi 5m
Portland - Peaks Island 2.5 mi 20m
Longest stretch: I 295 — 21.1 mi, about 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Vinalhaven, ME and City of Portland, ME.

1

Start on East Main Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
2

Turn left

253 ft · 18 sec
3

Turn right onto West Main Street

275 ft · 20 sec · West Main Street
4

Continue on Rockland/Vinalhaven Ferry

17 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Rockland/Vinalhaven Ferry
5

Continue on Ferry Crossing Crossing Slip

119 ft · 8 sec · Ferry Crossing Crossing Slip
6

Continue on Ferry Crossing Crossing Slip

385 ft · 17 sec · Ferry Crossing Crossing Slip
7

Turn right onto US 1

408 ft · 8 sec · Main Street
8

Turn left onto US 1

311 ft · 4 sec · Rankin Street
9

Turn left onto US 1

0.5 mi · 41 sec · US 1
10

Turn right onto US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Park Street
11

Turn straight onto US 1

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Payne Avenue
12

Continue on US 1

2.2 mi · 2 min · New County Road
13

Continue on US 1; ME 131

1.8 mi · 2 min · Main Street
14

Continue on US 1

13 mi · 18 min · Atlantic Highway
15

Continue on US 1

5.4 mi · 7 min · Route 1
16

Continue on US 1

8.7 mi · 12 min · Route 1
17

Continue on US 1; ME 27

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
18

Turn straight onto US 1

4.0 mi · 7 min · Bath Road
Use the left lane.
19

Continue on US 1

4.9 mi · 6 min · Route 1
20

Continue on US 1

1.0 mi · 2 min · Main Street
21

Continue on US 1

9.2 mi · 13 min · Leeman Highway
22

Turn right onto US 1

1.4 mi · 2 min · Pleasant Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 41 sec
24

Keep slight left at fork

1.6 mi · 2 min
Toward I 295 South: Freeport, Portland
25

Merge onto I 295

21 mi · 24 min · I 295
Use the straight lane.
26

Take the exit onto US 1A

1.1 mi · 2 min · US 1A
Exit 7 Toward US 1A Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Continue on Maine State Pier

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Maine State Pier
Use the straight lane.
28

Turn slight right

187 ft · 13 sec
29

Turn straight onto Portland - Peaks Island

2.5 mi · 20 min · Portland - Peaks Island
30

Continue

213 ft · 15 sec
31

Continue on Welch Street

0.2 mi · 49 sec · Welch Street
32

Turn right onto Oakland Avenue

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Oakland Avenue
33

Turn slight left onto Whitehead Street

351 ft · 15 sec · Whitehead Street
34

Continue on Seashore Avenue

0.2 mi · 46 sec · Seashore Avenue
35

Continue on Seashore Avenue

0.6 mi · 2 min · Seashore Avenue
36

Arrive at destination

Seashore Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 33 minutes, you have flexibility in when you depart. Leaving Vinalhaven mid-morning should allow you to arrive in Portland with ample time to explore. The route includes only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly. Be mindful of potential traffic as you approach Portland, especially if traveling during peak hours. A key tip for this drive is to check the ferry schedule in advance, as this is a critical first step in your journey and any delays could impact your overall timing.

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 50.2 miles from Vinalhaven, ME, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.1 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 22 miles or 1h 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 50.2 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 2h 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Portland, ME than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Vinalhaven, 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 Vinalhaven, ME

This is one driving day of about 100.3 miles and 3h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Vinalhaven, 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 21.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Sagadahoc County, Maine, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Woolwich, ME

50 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.

Popular next leg

Woolwich, ME to City of Portland, ME

39.5 mi · 1h 14m

Pacing Suggestions

Thomaston, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wiscasset, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 50.2 miles from Vinalhaven, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Waterworks Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 21.5

Rockland, Maine

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+12075962753

Visit website

Castle Tucker

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 50.2

Wiscasset, Maine

Hours: Closed

+12078827169

Visit website

Eartha Globe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 86

Yarmouth, Maine

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

Portland Observatory

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 93.1

Portland, Maine

+12072531800

Visit website

Monkey C Monkey Do

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 57.3

Wiscasset, Maine

+12078826861

Visit website

Maine Day Ventures/ formerly Maine Foodie Tours

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 93.1

Portland, Maine

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12072337485

Visit website

The Escape Room

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 93.1

Portland, Maine

Hours: 12–8:15 pm

+12076193775

Visit website

Thorne Head Preserve Trail Head

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 64.5

Bath, Maine

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12074428400

Visit website

Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 93.1

Portland, Maine

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12077741822

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 99.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | West Main Street

Turn right onto West Main Street

Navigation decision point

6
72.6 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 295 South: Freeport, Portland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 295 South: Freeport, Portland
5
74.2 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | I 295

Merge onto I 295

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
95.3 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in | US 1A

Take the exit onto US 1A toward US 1A

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 7 Toward US 1A
5
99.3 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in | Oakland Avenue

Turn right onto Oakland Avenue

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.15 one way

$32.29 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $17.77 $35.53
premium $4.86 $19.21 $38.41
diesel $5.61 $22.14 $44.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.1 0 $10.53 $4.81
Efficient EV 25.1 0 $8.78 $4.01
EV Truck/SUV 40.1 0 $14.04 $6.42

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 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 Dec 15, 2023

Origin

Vinalhaven, ME

Late night in Vinalhaven on Sunday

Local time

12:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

26°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

City of Portland, ME

Late night in City of Portland on Sunday

Local time

12:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

17 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

3h 33m 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

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...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 45
Park Closure: For Current Visitor Information
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive offers a mixed driving experience, with 42% of the route on highways. You'll encounter stretches of I-295, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 21.1 miles, which provides for faster travel. However, the inclusion of Route 1 means you'll also navigate more local roads, potentially with varying speed limits and traffic. This blend means the road's personality shifts throughout the journey, moving from efficient highway cruising to more community-oriented travel.

42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.1 mi on I 295.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near West Main Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 100.3 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 0.6 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 72.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.2 miles (I 295): 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.

On the drive from Vinalhaven, ME to City of Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Portland along the way.

Portland

72.6 mi in | ~2h 38m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 100.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 21.1 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 City of Portland, 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. 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 0.6 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 72.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.2 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Portland, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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