How far is Portland, ME from Ellsworth, ME?
Fastest route
The route from Portland, Maine, USA to Ellsworth, Maine 04605, USA is approximately 140 miles long and takes around 2 hours and 28 minutes. The route includes tolls.
Directions
To get from Portland to Ellsworth, follow these directions:
- Head southwest on Congress St toward Chestnut St.
- Turn left onto Marginal Way.
- Take a slight right toward Forest Ave.
- Turn right onto Forest Ave.
- Turn right to merge onto I-295 N/US-1 N toward Falmouth.
- Continue on I-295 N, which has tolls.
- Take exit 113 to merge onto ME-3 E.
- Keep right to stay on ME-3 E.
- Turn left to merge onto ME-3 E/US-1 N toward Searsport/Ellsworth.
- Continue straight onto Main St, Ellsworth, Maine 04605, USA.
Tips & Suggestions
Here are some tips and suggestions for your journey:
- 🚗 Make sure to have sufficient fuel before starting your trip.
- ⚠️ Keep an eye out for toll booths and have cash or a transponder ready for payment.
- 📱 Consider using a navigation app or GPS device to assist you during the journey.
- 🚧 Be aware of any ongoing road construction or traffic delays along the route.
- 🍽️ Plan for pit stops or meal breaks along the way, if needed.
- 🛣️ Stay on the designated highways and follow road signs for I-295 N, ME-3 E, and US-1 N.
- 📅 Check the weather forecast before departing to prepare for any potential road conditions.
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 32m.
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.
Town in Waldo County, Maine, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Portland and Ellsworth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portland and Ellsworth.
-
1
Start on Congress Street
40 m · 12 sec · Congress Street
-
2
Turn left onto Elm Street
158 m · 22 sec · Elm Street
-
3
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
1719 ft · 44 sec · Cumberland Avenue
-
4
Turn left onto Franklin Street
1945 ft · 37 sec · Franklin Street
-
5
Take the ramp slight right
1614 ft · 39 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
46.3 mi · 52 min
-
7
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
9.8 mi · 11 min · Maine Turnpike
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
767 ft · 26 sec
-
9
Keep slight right
834 ft · 20 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Augusta Bypass
2.5 mi · 4 min · Augusta Bypass
-
11
Continue on North Belfast Avenue
8.1 mi · 12 min · North Belfast Avenue
-
12
Continue on Belfast Road
1077 ft · 17 sec · Belfast Road
-
13
Continue on Route 3
17.6 mi · 21 min · Route 3
-
14
Continue on Acadia Highway
4 mi · 4 min · Acadia Highway
-
15
Continue on Belfast Augusta Road West
3.4 mi · 4 min · Belfast Augusta Road West
-
16
Continue on Augusta Road
4.8 mi · 5 min · Augusta Road
-
17
Continue on Belmont Avenue
4 mi · 5 min · Belmont Avenue
-
18
Take the exit left
1586 ft · 44 sec
-
19
Merge slight left onto Route 1
1.1 km · 1 min · Route 1
-
20
Continue on Searsport Avenue
2.7 mi · 5 min · Searsport Avenue
-
21
Continue on West Main Street
7 mi · 8 min · West Main Street
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on East Main Street
6.3 mi · 8 min · East Main Street
-
23
Continue on US Highway 1
1.2 mi · 3 min · US Highway 1
-
24
Continue on Route 1
155 m · 12 sec · Route 1
-
25
Continue on Route 1
1 mi · 1 min · Route 1
-
26
Continue on Acadia Highway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Acadia Highway
-
27
Continue on Bucksport Road
8.5 mi · 10 min · Bucksport Road
-
28
Continue on West Main Street
2788 ft · 45 sec · West Main Street
-
29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portland and Ellsworth.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Franklin Street
Merge slight left
46.3 mi · 00h 52m
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 Portland and Mostly Sunny near Ellsworth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portland to Ellsworth?
The road trip is about 139.8 miles (225 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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?
Palermo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.8 miles from Portland and 70 miles from Ellsworth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 109.9 miles (176.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.9 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 1:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.45 one way or $38.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Portland and Mostly Sunny near Ellsworth.
Stop Ideas Near Palermo
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 Palermo.
Augusta, ME
Waldoboro, Maine
Belfast, Maine
Camden/Rockport, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Portland and Ellsworth. Straight-line distance: 109.9 mi (176.86 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 Ellsworth
City in Maine
| Population | 8,249 |
| Coordinates | 44.5434100, -68.4194600 |
| Altitude | 33 |
| Country | United States |
End: Main Street (-68.419362, 44.543292)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 225 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $19.45 | $38.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $21.97 | $43.95 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $23.95 | $47.90 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $29.57 | $59.13 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.