How far is Portland, ME from Calais, ME?
The driving distance from Portland, ME to Calais, ME is about 224.1 miles (360.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181 miles (291.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 34m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in Maine, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Portland and Calais.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portland and Calais.
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1
Start on Congress Street
40 m · 12 sec · Congress Street
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2
Turn left onto Elm Street
158 m · 22 sec · Elm Street
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3
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
1719 ft · 44 sec · Cumberland Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Franklin Street
1945 ft · 37 sec · Franklin Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right
1614 ft · 39 sec
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6
Merge slight left
46.3 mi · 52 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
79.2 mi · 1 hr 26 min · Maine Turnpike
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 395 South, ME 15 South: Bangor, Brewer
2241 ft · 48 sec
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9
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 55 sec
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10
Continue straight
89.4 mi · 2 hr 2 min
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11
Continue on Houlton Road
1047 ft · 14 sec · Houlton Road
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12
Continue on Route 1
2.6 mi · 3 min · Route 1
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13
Continue on Baring Street
1.9 mi · 2 min · Baring Street
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Baring Street
20 m · 1 sec · Baring Street
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Baring Street
2674 ft · 45 sec · Baring Street
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16
Continue on North Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Street
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17
Turn right onto Lincoln Street
1422 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Street
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18
Turn left onto Germain Street
137 m · 20 sec · Germain Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Germain Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portland and Calais.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 395 South
Continue straight
89.4 mi · 02h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Portland and Rain Showers Likely near Calais.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portland to Calais?
The road trip is about 224.1 miles (360.6 km) and usually takes 04h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Carmel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.9 miles from Portland and 112.2 miles from Calais.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181 miles (291.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.20 one way or $62.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Portland and Rain Showers Likely near Calais.
Stop Ideas Near Carmel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Carmel.
Bangor, Maine
Orono (University of Maine), Maine
Searsport, Maine
Belfast, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Portland and Calais. Straight-line distance: 181.04 mi (291.35 km).
#1 Portland
The most populous city in Cumberland County, Maine.
| Population | 66,803 |
| Coordinates | 43.6573700, -70.2589000 |
| Altitude | 19 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Calais
Town in Washington County, Vermont, United States
| Population | 3,026 |
| Coordinates | 45.1837600, -67.2766200 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: Calais (-67.27662, 45.18376)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 361 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $31.20 | $62.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $35.25 | $70.51 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $38.43 | $76.85 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $47.44 | $94.87 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.