Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
81.9 mi
132 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palermo, ME
José Barbosa
Scarborough, ME
David Roberts
Palermo, ME to Scarborough, ME is 81.9 miles and takes about 1h 46m via I 295 and Maine Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This northeastern drive primarily utilizes major highways, making it a straightforward journey. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a functional, efficient trip. This route is ideal if you're looking for a quick connection between these two points in Maine without significant detours or complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41 miles from Palermo, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 50.5 mi | 58m |
| ME 3 | 15 mi | 20m |
| Maine Turnpike | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Scarborough Connector | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Black Point Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Route 1 | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North Belfast Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| Capitol Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Palermo, ME and Scarborough, ME.
Start on Branch Mills Road
At end of road, turn right onto ME 3
Turn left onto US 202; ME 9
At end of road, turn left onto US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
Continue on US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
Enter roundabout onto US 201; ME 27
Continue on US 201; ME 27
Turn right onto Capitol Street
Turn straight onto Armory Street
Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork 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
Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid the earliest rush hour traffic. You won't need extensive stops, but there are opportunities for fuel and rest along the Maine Turnpike if needed. The longest continuous stretch is over 50 miles, so plan for a brief break before that if you prefer not to drive that distance without stopping. Keeping your fuel tank topped up is always a good idea on these highway-focused routes.
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 18 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41 miles or 56m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scarborough, ME than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Palermo, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Palermo, ME
This is one driving day of about 81.9 miles and 1h 46m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 41 miles from Palermo, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 77.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn right onto ME 3
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
$13.18 one way
$26.37 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $14.51 | $29.01 |
| premium | $4.86 | $15.68 | $31.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.08 | $36.16 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$13
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.60 | $3.93 |
| Efficient EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.17 | $3.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.47 | $5.24 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Late night in Palermo on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Late night in Scarborough on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
46°F
Brunswick, ME
41 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 is a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the route on high-speed roads like I 295 and the Maine Turnpike. You'll encounter one long stretch of 50.5 miles on I 295, offering a consistent pace. The drive transitions from potentially more rural segments near Palermo to a more developed corridor as you approach Scarborough. Overall, the character is one of efficient travel, prioritizing directness over winding scenic byways.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and ME 3. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near ME 3.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.9 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (ME 3): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles (US 202; ME 9 / North Belfast Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Palermo, ME and Scarborough, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor, Kittery, Brunswick and Old Orchard.
Waterville
Bangor
Kittery
Brunswick
Old Orchard
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 81.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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