Freeport Cafe
Later in the drive, right off the route
Freeport, Maine
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+12078695113
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 15m
Distance
94.9 mi
153 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hope, ME
Barbara Reis
Scarborough, ME
David Roberts
Hope, ME to Scarborough, ME is 94.9 miles and takes about 2h 15m via I 295 and Rockland Road, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and the state of Maine, making it a straightforward journey. The route offers a mixed drive, blending highway speeds with more local road navigation. It's a manageable distance, perfect for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two points in Maine.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.4 miles from Hope, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 46.8 mi | 54m |
| Rockland Road | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| Heald Highway | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| Augusta Road | 5 mi | 7m |
| Brunswick Avenue | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| Hatchet Mountain Road | 4.8 mi | 11m |
| Augusta-Rockland Road | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Togus Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hope, ME and Scarborough, ME.
Start on ME 105
Turn right onto ME 235
Turn left onto ME 235
Turn right onto ME 17; ME 235
Continue on ME 17
Continue on ME 17
Continue on ME 17
Continue on ME 17; ME 32
Continue on ME 17
Continue on ME 17
Continue on ME 17
Turn left onto ME 226
Continue on ME 226
Turn right onto ME 27; ME 126
Turn left onto ME 9; ME 27; ME 126
Continue on US 201
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 295
Keep slight right at fork onto Scarborough Connector
Turn straight onto US 1; ME 9
Turn left onto ME 207
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
Arrive at destination
With a driving time of approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, this is easily a one-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. The estimated fuel cost is around $15, which is quite economical. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 46.8 miles on I 295, so plan for a fuel or rest stop before or after this segment if needed. Since the total distance is under 100 miles, you don't need to split the drive, allowing you to reach Scarborough with plenty of time. A practical tip is to be aware of the transition points from I 295 to Rockland Road and Heald Highway, as these shifts in road type can require a change in driving pace.
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.
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 21 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.4 miles or 1h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scarborough, ME than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hope, 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 Hope, ME
This is one driving day of about 94.9 miles and 2h 15m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 47.4 miles from Hope, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Freeport, Maine
Later in the drive, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+12078695113
Nom Cafe
Portland, Maine
Later in the drive, right off the route
Freeport, Maine
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+12078695113
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Portland, Maine
Hours: 9 am–2 pm
+12076139332
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Yarmouth, Maine
Hours: 9 am–3 pm
Near the end, short detour
Portland, Maine
Hours: 12–8:15 pm
+12076193775
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Portland, Maine
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12072337485
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
South Portland, Maine
Hours: 11 am–5 pm
+12077678227
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Portland, Maine
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12077741822
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Portland, Maine
+12072531800
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Portland, Maine
Hours: 8:30 am–5:30 pm
+12078070009
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
South Portland, Maine
Hours: 1–7 pm
+12072746007
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 90.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto ME 235 / Hatchet Mountain Road
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto ME 17; ME 235 / Heald Highway
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto ME 9; ME 27; ME 126 / Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 295
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto Scarborough Connector toward Scarborough, Old Orchard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$15.28 one way
$30.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $16.81 | $33.62 |
| premium | $4.86 | $18.17 | $36.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.95 | $41.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.5 | 0 | $9.96 | $4.56 |
| Efficient EV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.30 | $3.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38 | 0 | $13.29 | $6.07 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Hope on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Scarborough on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Patchy Fog
46°F
Brunswick, ME
47 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
This 94.9-mile drive features a highway share of 51%, meaning you'll experience a good balance between faster travel and local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 46.8 miles on I 295, allowing for a sustained period of cruising. As you transition from the interstate, you'll navigate segments on Rockland Road and Heald Highway, introducing a more varied driving experience. The profile is described as a 'Mixed drive,' suggesting a dynamic journey rather than a monotonous interstate grind. Expect the feel of the road to change as you progress toward Scarborough.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ME 235 / Hatchet Mountain Road.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 15m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ME 235 / Hatchet Mountain Road): Navigation decision point; at 7 miles (ME 17; ME 235 / Heald Highway): Navigation decision point; at 37.8 miles (ME 9; ME 27; ME 126 / Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 94.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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