How far is Portland, ME from South Eliot, ME?

The driving distance from Portland, ME to South Eliot, ME is about 51.3 miles (82.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 46 miles (74.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
51.36 mi
01h 03m
Flight
46.02 mi
74.07 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Portland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
46.02 mi
Kilometers
74.07 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
51.36 mi
Kilometers
82.65 km
Drive Time
01h 03m

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 01h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Eliot
Sun, Apr 19, 2:18 AM EDT
Return by in Portland
Sun, Apr 19, 3:22 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portland
2026-04-19T01:15
Arrive South Eliot
Sun, Apr 19, 2:18 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:24 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Portland
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Kennebunk
ME

Town in Maine

From Portland
25.7 mi
00h 31m
To South Eliot
25.7 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW
Destination
56°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Portland and South Eliot.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portland and South Eliot.

  1. 1

    Start on Congress Street

    148 m · 20 sec · Congress Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Brown Street

    589 ft · 30 sec · Brown Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Cumberland Avenue

    1233 ft · 30 sec · Cumberland Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto High Street

    797 ft · 20 sec · High Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Park Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Park Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on Congress Street

    539 ft · 16 sec · Congress Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Fore River Parkway

    1275 ft · 25 sec · Fore River Parkway

  8. 8

    Take the ramp right

    943 ft · 24 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    2 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    2.6 mi · 4 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

    41.5 mi · 45 min · Maine Turnpike

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward ME 236: Kittery, South Berwick

    1951 ft · 37 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on US 1, ME 236, US 1 Bypass: Kittery, South Berwick

    1096 ft · 31 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    70 m · 8 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Route 236

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Route 236

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Bolt Hill Road

    1.3 mi · 4 min · Bolt Hill Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Leach Road

    23 m · 3 sec · Leach Road

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Leach Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Portland and South Eliot.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
35 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Maine Turnpike
41.5 mi · 81%
Fore River Parkway
5.05 mi · 10%
Bolt Hill Road
1.28 mi · 2%
Route 236
1.27 mi · 2%
Park Avenue
0.94 mi · 2%
ME 236
0.37 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Maine Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

41.5 mi · 00h 45m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.3 mi
46 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kennebunk
00h 31m from Portland
Leave By
4:24 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Portland and Rain Showers Likely near South Eliot.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Portland to South Eliot?

The road trip is about 51.3 miles (82.6 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?

Kennebunk is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.7 miles from Portland and 25.7 miles from South Eliot.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 46 miles (74.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 4:24 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.14 one way or $14.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Portland and Rain Showers Likely near South Eliot.

Stop Ideas Near Kennebunk

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kennebunk, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kennebunk.

RAIL

Wells Regional Transportation Center

9 mi away
696 Sanford Road
RAIL

Saco Transportation Center

15 mi away
130 Main Street
RAIL

Old Orchard Beach

20 mi away
11 First Street
RAIL

Dover Transportation Center

34 mi away
33 Chestnut St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Portland and South Eliot. Straight-line distance: 46.02 mi (74.07 km).

Portland

#1 Portland

The most populous city in Cumberland County, Maine.

Population66,803
Coordinates43.6573700, -70.2589000
Altitude19
CountryUnited States
South Eliot

#2 South Eliot

City in Maine, United States of America

Population3,550
Coordinates43.1081400, -70.7775500
Altitude10
CountryUnited States
Start: Portland (-70.2589, 43.65737)
End: South Eliot (-70.77755, 43.10814)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 83 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.81 gal
6.86 L · about $7.14
Round trip
$14.28
3.62 gal · 13.72 L
Estimated CO2
16.1 kg one way
Round trip: 32.2 kg / 71 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $7.14 $14.28
Mid-grade $4.46 $8.07 $16.13
Premium $4.86 $8.79 $17.59
Diesel $6.00 $10.85 $21.71

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Portland and South Eliot. The current time is 01:15:57.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.