Traveling from Brooks to Scarborough covers 112.5 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 27 minutes. This route functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to easily complete the journey without needing an overnight stop. You will navigate a mix of local roads like the Belfast Augusta Road and North Belfast Avenue before connecting to I-295. Budgeting approximately $18 for fuel will cover your transit across the Northeast region. Because the drive is straightforward, it serves as a reliable connection between these two Maine locations. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a weekend, the duration remains manageable for a solo driver or a small group.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.3 miles from Brooks, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
50.5 mi
58m
Belfast Augusta Road
17.6 mi
21m
North Belfast Avenue
9.1 mi
13m
Maine Turnpike
5.9 mi
6m
Acadia Highway
4 mi
4m
Veterans Highway
3.9 mi
6m
Belfast Augusta Road East
3.4 mi
3m
Waldo Station Road
3.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 50.5 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brooks, ME and Scarborough, ME.
1
Start on ME 7
3.9 mi·6 min·Veterans Highway
2
Continue on ME 7
0.4 mi·42 sec·Moosehead Trail
3
Turn right onto ME 131
3.3 mi·5 min·Waldo Station Road
4
Continue on ME 131
3.1 mi·5 min·North Main Street
5
Turn right onto Higgins Hill Road
2.4 mi·3 min·Higgins Hill Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto ME 3
271 ft·3 sec·Augusta Road
7
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi·3 min·Belfast Augusta Road East
8
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Acadia Highway
9
Continue on ME 3
18 mi·21 min·Belfast Augusta Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi·16 sec·Belfast Road
11
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi·11 min·North Belfast Avenue
12
Turn left onto US 202; ME 9
1.0 mi·1 min·North Belfast Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100
0.6 mi·52 sec·Bangor Street
14
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
159 ft·3 sec·Memorial Drive
15
Continue on US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi·1 min·Memorial Drive
16
Enter roundabout onto US 201; ME 27
401 ft·7 sec·State Street
17
Continue on US 201; ME 27
0.2 mi·19 sec·State Street
18
Turn right onto Capitol Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Capitol Street
19
Turn straight onto Armory Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Armory Street
20
Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
23
Merge onto I 95
5.9 mi·6 min·Maine Turnpike
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
51 mi·58 min·I 295
Exit 103Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, BrunswickUse the straight lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto Scarborough Connector
2.1 mi·2 min·Scarborough Connector
Exit 2Toward Scarborough, Old Orchard
26
Turn straight onto US 1; ME 9
1.2 mi·2 min·Route 1
27
Turn left onto ME 207
1.2 mi·2 min·Black Point Road
28
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
267 ft·7 sec·Highland Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Highland Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 112.5-mile drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire trip in one go, as no formal stops are required to manage the 2-hour and 27-minute duration. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider timing your transit to avoid peak traffic hours when merging onto I-295. Keep your estimated $18 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and ensure your vehicle is ready for the 50.5-mile highway stretch. Being mindful of the transition from local roads to the interstate will help you navigate the route smoothly.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.3 miles from Brooks, ME, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 25 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.3 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scarborough, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brooks, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brooks, ME
This is one driving day of about 112.5 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Brooks, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 50.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 46.3 and 108 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
46.3 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue
Turn left onto US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
50.5 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
6
50.9 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
9
57.4 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|I 295
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 103
Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Bru...
7
108 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|Scarborough Connector
Keep slight right at fork onto Scarborough Connector toward Scarborough, Old Orchard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 2
Toward Scarborough, Old Orchard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.11 one way
$36.22 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$19.93
$39.85
premium
$4.86
$21.54
$43.09
diesel
$5.61
$24.84
$49.68
Estimated Tolls: $0.36
Maine Turnpike
(5.9 mi)$0.36
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.8
0
$11.81
$5.40
Efficient EV
28.1
0
$9.84
$4.50
EV Truck/SUV
45
0
$15.75
$7.20
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Brooks, ME
Night
in Brooks on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scarborough, ME
Night
in Scarborough on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Augusta, ME
56 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
13 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 27m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Frances Perkins National Monument
National Monument
Known as the first woman to hold a presidential cabinet position and the “Woman behind the New Deal,” Frances Perkins championed many labor rights that Americans enjoy today, including safety standard...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, transitioning from smaller regional roads to larger highway infrastructure. You will spend about 51% of your journey on highways, providing a balanced experience behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-295, where you can cover 50.5 miles of consistent interstate driving. Expect the character of the road to shift as you move from the local Belfast Augusta Road onto the more structured flow of the interstate. This combination of surface streets and high-speed lanes keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.5 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46.3 miles in near US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 112.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 46.3 miles (US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
480 ft3 ft
Total Climb
465 ft
Total Descent
816 ft
Highest Point
480 ft
~24.1 mi in
Elevation Range
477 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brooks, ME and Scarborough, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor, Kittery and Brunswick.
Waterville
50.5 mi in|~1h 12m
Bangor
50.5 mi in|~1h 12m
Kittery
50.9 mi in|~1h 12m
Brunswick
57.4 mi in|~1h 20m|via I 295
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 112.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.5 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.36 in tolls one way, starting with Maine Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Scarborough, ME before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through ME can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 46.3 miles (US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Scarborough, ME before heading back.
