How far is Charleston, ME from Portland, ME?
The driving distance from Charleston, ME to Portland, ME is about 129.6 miles (208.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.6 miles (186 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 13m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Kennebec County, Maine, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Portland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Portland.
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1
Start on the route
55 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn straight onto Main Road
4 mi · 7 min · Main Road
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3
Turn left onto Dover Road
1721 ft · 29 sec · Dover Road
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4
Continue on Main Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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5
Turn right onto Exeter Road
7.2 mi · 13 min · Exeter Road
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto Exeter Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Exeter Road
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7
Continue on Exeter Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Exeter Road
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Exeter Road
4.3 mi · 8 min · Exeter Road
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto Dexter Road
127 m · 7 sec · Dexter Road
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10
Continue on Newport Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Newport Road
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11
Continue on Moosehead Trail
4.7 mi · 7 min · Moosehead Trail
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Ox Bow Road
43 m · 3 sec · Ox Bow Road
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Ox Bow Road
1284 ft · 44 sec · Ox Bow Road
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14
Take the exit slight right
1648 ft · 40 sec
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15
Merge slight right
53.5 mi · 58 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
46.5 mi · 53 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 1A
1.2 km · 2 min
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18
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
1853 ft · 51 sec · Cumberland Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Preble Street
555 ft · 19 sec · Preble Street
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20
Turn left onto Congress Street
48 m · 5 sec · Congress Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Congress Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Portland.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ox Bow Road
Merge slight right
53.5 mi · 00h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Charleston and Mostly Clear near Portland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Portland?
The road trip is about 129.6 miles (208.5 km) and usually takes 02h 13m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Vassalboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.7 miles from Charleston and 64.8 miles from Portland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115.6 miles (186 km), while the road route adds roughly 14 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.03 one way or $36.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Charleston and Mostly Clear near Portland.
Stop Ideas Near Vassalboro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Waterville Opera House
Augusta City Hall
Inn At City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Vassalboro.
Augusta, ME
Waldoboro, Maine
Damariscotta, Maine
Belfast, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Portland. Straight-line distance: 115.54 mi (185.95 km).
#1 Charleston
Human settlement in Penobscot County, Maine, United States of America
| Population | 1,675 |
| Coordinates | 45.0850600, -69.0405900 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Portland
The most populous city in Cumberland County, Maine.
| Population | 66,803 |
| Coordinates | 43.6573700, -70.2589000 |
| Altitude | 19 |
| Country | United States |
End: Congress Street (-70.259094, 43.657504)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 208 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $18.03 | $36.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $20.37 | $40.74 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $22.20 | $44.40 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $27.41 | $54.81 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Maine · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.