How far is Portland, ME from Charleston, ME?
The driving distance from Portland, ME to Charleston, ME is about 129.7 miles (208.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.6 miles (186 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 25m 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 42m.
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 Clear
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Portland and Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portland and Charleston.
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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
53.6 mi · 58 min · Maine Turnpike
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8
Take the exit slight right toward ME 11, ME 100: Newport, Dexter
1611 ft · 46 sec
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9
Keep slight left
34 m · 7 sec
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10
Turn left onto Ox Bow Road
2725 ft · 1 min · Ox Bow Road
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Moosehead Trail
37 m · 2 sec · Moosehead Trail
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Moosehead Trail
4.7 mi · 7 min · Moosehead Trail
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13
Continue on Newport Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Newport Road
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14
Continue on Dexter Road
127 m · 8 sec · Dexter Road
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15
Turn right onto Exeter Road
7.4 mi · 13 min · Exeter Road
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16
Continue on Exeter Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Exeter Road
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17
Continue on Exeter Road
7.2 mi · 13 min · Exeter Road
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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19
Continue on Dover Road
1721 ft · 29 sec · Dover Road
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20
Turn right onto Main Road
4 mi · 7 min · Main Road
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21
Turn left onto School Road
53 m · 11 sec · School Road
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22
Turn sharp left
16 m · 2 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portland and Charleston.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Maine Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
53.6 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 Clear leaving Portland and Mostly Sunny near Charleston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portland to Charleston?
The road trip is about 129.7 miles (208.7 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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 64.8 miles from Portland and 64.9 miles from Charleston.
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 14.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.07 one way or $36.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Portland and Mostly Sunny near Charleston.
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 Portland and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 115.54 mi (185.95 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 Charleston
Human settlement in Penobscot County, Maine, United States of America
| Population | 1,675 |
| Coordinates | 45.0850600, -69.0405900 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| Country | United States |
End: Charleston (-69.04059, 45.08506)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 209 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 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 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $18.07 | $36.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $20.41 | $40.83 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $22.25 | $44.50 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $27.47 | $54.93 |
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.