How far is Van Buren, ME from Portland, ME?
The driving distance from Van Buren, ME to Portland, ME is about 321.9 miles (518.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 266.8 miles (429.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 27m 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 05h 13m.
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.
City in Penobscot County, Maine, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Van Buren and Portland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Van Buren and Portland.
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1
Start on the route
19 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
9.2 mi · 15 min · Main Street
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3
Continue on Van Buren Road
11.4 mi · 17 min · Van Buren Road
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4
Continue on Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · Main Street
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5
Continue on Fort Fairfield Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Fort Fairfield Road
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6
Continue on East Limestone Road
8.4 mi · 12 min · East Limestone Road
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7
Continue on Bridge Street
990 ft · 19 sec · Bridge Street
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8
Continue on Presque Isle Street
1.6 km · 1 min · Presque Isle Street
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9
Continue on Houlton Road
12 mi · 18 min · Houlton Road
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10
Continue on Fort Road
5.8 mi · 9 min · Fort Road
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11
Continue on Bridge Street
547 ft · 9 sec · Bridge Street
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12
Continue on Main Street
3090 ft · 2 min · Main Street
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13
Continue on Military Road
1649 ft · 40 sec · Military Road
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14
Continue on Route 1
2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1
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15
Continue on Main Road
6.7 mi · 11 min · Main Road
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16
Continue on Route 1
6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1
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17
Continue on US Highway 1
1.1 km · 55 sec · US Highway 1
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18
Continue on North Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
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19
Continue on North Street
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Street
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20
Take the exit right
1588 ft · 39 sec
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21
Merge slight left
198.2 mi · 3 hr 27 min
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
46.5 mi · 53 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward US 1A
1.2 km · 2 min
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24
Turn right onto Cumberland Avenue
1853 ft · 51 sec · Cumberland Avenue
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25
Turn left onto Preble Street
555 ft · 19 sec · Preble Street
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26
Turn left onto Congress Street
48 m · 5 sec · Congress Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Congress Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Van Buren and Portland.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
North Street
Merge slight left
198 mi · 03h 27m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Van Buren and Light Rain near Portland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Van Buren to Portland?
The road trip is about 321.9 miles (518.1 km) and usually takes 05h 13m 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?
Howland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 161.2 miles from Van Buren and 160.6 miles from Portland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 266.8 miles (429.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.1 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 6:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.82 one way or $89.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Van Buren and Light Rain near Portland.
Stop Ideas Near Howland
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 Howland.
Orono (University of Maine), Maine
Bangor, Maine
Searsport, Maine
Belfast, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Van Buren and Portland. Straight-line distance: 266.77 mi (429.32 km).
#1 Van Buren
Town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States
| Population | 1,983 |
| Coordinates | 47.1572700, -67.9353000 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| 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: 518 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $44.82 | $89.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $50.63 | $101.26 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $55.19 | $110.37 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $68.13 | $136.25 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.