Portland to Augusta Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Portland, ME to Augusta, ME (60 miles). Connects Portland to Maine's state capital via I-95.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Portland to Augusta?
Portland to Augusta is a 60-mile lane paying about $165 - $192 per load, near $2.75 - $3.20 a mile. Freight is mostly consumer goods, state-government-connected freight and frozen-seafood-connected freight.
- Distance
- 60 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $165 - $192
- Rate per mile
- $2.75 - $3.20
- Transit time
- Same day / 1 hr
- Deadhead risk
- 15-20%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing for a short in-state Maine lane. See our dispatch fee structure.
Portland to Augusta
Portland to Augusta is a 60-mile, roughly 1-hour run north on I-295 and I-95, connecting Maine's main cargo port to the state capital and home of MaineDOT's headquarters. MaineDOT's Office of Freight and Passenger Services sets policy, programs and projects to improve Maine's freight transportation network, keeping this lane connected to the state's broader logistics planning.
Origin
Portland, ME
Destination
Augusta, ME
Distance
60 miles
Transit Time
Same day / 1 hr
Average Rate
$165 - $192
Rate per Mile
$2.75 - $3.20
60-mile lane, about 1 hour on I-295 and I-95
Augusta is home to MaineDOT's headquarters at 24 Child Street
MaineDOT's Office of Freight and Passenger Services sets policy for Maine's freight network
Portland to Augusta: route facts a driver should know
Augusta is Maine's seat of state government
Augusta, Maine's state capital since 1827, sits on the Kennebec River along I-95, with a local economy centered on government, healthcare, and education rather than heavy industry.
Source: Wikipedia, Augusta, Maine. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Portland's port is bucking the national container decline
Portland, Maine's only container terminal, handles about 45,000 TEUs a year, with volume more than doubling over the past five years.
Source: Transport Topics, Maine port container growth coverage. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for Portland to Augusta?
About $59.72 this week. The lane is 60 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 9 gallons, and diesel is averaging $6.47 a gallon on this lane (week of October 19, 2026). The U.S. average diesel price is up 10 cents this week.
An estimate. It uses EIA's weekly average for this region, not the price at each pump. Your mpg and fuel card discounts change it.
- Distance
- 60 mi
- Diesel needed
- 9 gal
- Price used
- $6.47/gal
- Fuel cost
- $59.72
Common Freight Types
Consumer goods, state-government-connected freight and frozen-seafood-connected freight fill the trailers heading north.
- Government/Institutional Freight
- Consumer Goods
- Paper Products
What makes the Portland to Augusta lane difficult?
A short-to-medium lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range
A short-to-medium lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range.
State-government-connected freight can require specific documentation or scheduling
State-government-connected freight can require specific documentation or scheduling.
Competition from the region's carrier base can pressure rates
Competition from the region's carrier base can pressure rates.
What freight moves on the Portland to Augusta lane?
What travels between Portland and Augusta, and why the state capital matters here.
Primary Commodities
- •Government/Institutional Freight
- •Consumer Goods
- •Paper Products
Secondary Commodities
- •State-government-connected freight (MaineDOT)
- •Frozen-seafood-connected freight
- •Consumer goods
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Consumer goods (holiday surge)
- •State-government-connected freight (steady)
- •Frozen-seafood freight (steady)
When is the Portland to Augusta lane busiest?
Retail timing and steady government-connected freight both shape this lane.
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Slow Period?
A modest dip after the holidays, cushioned by steady government-connected freight.
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Peak Period?
Consumer goods climb modestly from October through December.
Produce Season?
Not a major factor on this lane.
- •Steady state-government-connected freight year-round
- •Q4 holiday retail season
- •Summer freight demand
Seasonal Strategy Summary
This lane runs steady year-round, without a major seasonal swing to plan around.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Portland to Augusta lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need documentation.
When to Book
Suggested booking window:
Same-day to 1-2 days out is typical for this haul.
What Brokers Pay More
Loads that command more:
Time-critical state-government-connected freight can pay a premium.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful committing to a slow-season load in a market this competitive without checking current rates.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Portland to Augusta
- •
At 60 miles, this is a short, quick run.
- •
Government and healthcare supply freight is common here, given Augusta's role as state capital.
- •
This short lane pairs well with a same-day round trip.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Portland to Augusta lane?
Augusta's state-government base makes a southbound load realistic.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the return load:
- •Augusta, ME
- •Regional distribution hubs near Augusta
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 15-20%
With MaineDOT's headquarters and freight-planning offices based there, there is real backhaul variety.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •A short, high-frequency in-state corridor.
- •Pre-book return freight on load boards before you arrive, so you don't sit empty
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
Augusta's government and healthcare base gives you steady, if less industrial, backhaul freight.
- •
Portland's own port and seafood freight base keeps southbound loads flowing too.
- •
This lane is short enough to plan more than one trip a day.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the Portland to Augusta lane?
Three notes before this state-capital corridor run.
This lane pairs well with a same-day or next-day return load.
Confirm documentation requirements before hauling state-government-connected freight.
Check current market rates before committing to a slow-season load.
Augusta's freight base leans government and healthcare rather than industrial. Steady, if less specialized, than some of Maine's other lanes.
Portland to Augusta Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, MaineDOT's headquarters, and market conditions.
The lane data shows about $165 - $192 per load, or $2.75 - $3.20 a mile, across 60 miles.
It's Maine's state capital and home to MaineDOT's headquarters, including its Office of Freight and Passenger Services.
About 1 hour for the 60 miles.
Reasonably, given the city's role as the seat of Maine's state government.
Other Maine freight lanes we dispatch
- Portland to Concord
- Portland to Bath
- Portland to Fredericton
- Portland to Washington
- Portland to Boston
- Portland to Manchester
Local resources
Dry Van owner-operator, Midwest: +$1,950/week after moving to $2.65/mi on produce / auto parts freight.
Read the case studyNeed help running Portland, ME to Augusta, ME consistently?
Running Portland to Augusta often? Ask about a free custom growth plan.