Scarborough to Bethel is 75.2 miles and takes about 1 hour 50 minutes via Maine Turnpike and Main Street, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Maine, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll primarily be on surface roads, making it a more relaxed trip than a pure highway dash. It's a straightforward, single-day excursion perfect for a quick change of scenery without a major time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.6 miles from Scarborough, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Maine Turnpike
17.4 mi
19m
Main Street
11.1 mi
17m
Maine Street
10.5 mi
16m
South Main Street
5.9 mi
6m
Park Street
4.6 mi
6m
Walker's Mills Road
4.5 mi
6m
Bethel Road
4.5 mi
5m
Shaker Road
3.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 17.4 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scarborough, ME and Bethel, ME.
1
Start on Highland Avenue
267 ft·10 sec·Highland Avenue
2
Turn right onto ME 207
1.2 mi·2 min·Black Point Road
3
Turn right onto US 1; ME 9
1.1 mi·2 min·Route 1
4
Keep slight left at fork onto Scarborough Connector
1.6 mi·1 min·Scarborough Connector
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
6
Merge onto Samantha Smith Way
1.0 mi·1 min·Samantha Smith Way
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto I 95
17 mi·19 min·Maine Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 63Toward US 202, ME 115, ME 4: Gray, New Gloucester
10
Turn left onto US 202; ME 4; ME 26
0.2 mi·35 sec·West Gray Road
11
Turn right onto ME 26
1.2 mi·2 min·Maine Wildlife Park Way
12
Continue on ME 26
3.2 mi·5 min·Shaker Road
13
Continue on ME 26
11 mi·16 min·Maine Street
14
Continue on ME 26
2.6 mi·4 min·Pigeon Hill Road
15
Continue on ME 26
6.9 mi·11 min·Main Street
16
Turn right onto Oxford Street
2.7 mi·6 min·Oxford Street
17
Turn left onto ME 117; ME 119
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Main Street
18
Continue on ME 117; ME 119
359 ft·8 sec·Market Square
19
Continue on ME 26
432 ft·5 sec·High Street
20
Continue on ME 26
4.6 mi·6 min·Park Street
21
Continue on ME 26
4.5 mi·5 min·Bethel Road
22
Continue on ME 26
5.9 mi·6 min·South Main Street
23
Continue on ME 26
0.2 mi·10 sec·Upper Main Street
24
Continue on ME 26
3.7 mi·4 min·Main Street
25
Continue on ME 26
4.5 mi·6 min·Walker's Mills Road
26
Continue on Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
27
At end of road, turn left onto Broad Street
131 ft·3 sec·Broad Street
28
Arrive at destination
Broad Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a short, 1 hour 50 minute drive, there's no need to rush or split it up. You can leave anytime during the day and still comfortably reach your destination. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, you won't need to worry about frequent fuel stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. The longest stretch on the highway is just under 18 miles, so plan to be on local roads for the majority of your travel time.
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 37.6 miles from Scarborough, ME, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.4 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.6 miles or 55m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethel, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Scarborough, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Scarborough, ME
This is one driving day of about 75.2 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Scarborough, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Maine Turnpike for about 17.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 75.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|ME 207 / Black Point Road
Turn right onto ME 207 / Black Point Road
Navigation decision point
4
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in|Scarborough Connector
Keep slight left at fork onto Scarborough Connector
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
23.2 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward US 202, ME 115, ME 4: Gray, New Gloucester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 63
Toward US 202, ME 115, ME 4: Gray, New Gloucest...
4
23.6 mi into trip|~31m in|US 202; ME 4; ME 26 / West Gray Road
Turn left onto US 202; ME 4; ME 26 / West Gray Road
Navigation decision point
5
75.2 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|Broad Street
At end of road, turn left onto Broad Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.11 one way
$24.21 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$13.32
$26.64
premium
$4.86
$14.40
$28.80
diesel
$5.61
$16.60
$33.21
Estimated Tolls: $1.04
Maine Turnpike
(17.4 mi)$1.04
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
$12
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.6
0
$7.90
$3.61
Efficient EV
18.8
0
$6.58
$3.01
EV Truck/SUV
30.1
0
$10.53
$4.81
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Scarborough, ME
Morning
in Scarborough on Tuesday
Local time
9:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bethel, ME
Morning
in Bethel on Tuesday
Local time
9:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
6 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
1h 50m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 25% of it on highways. You'll experience a stretch of 17.4 miles on the Maine Turnpike before transitioning to surface roads. Expect to navigate through towns and local traffic as you leave the turnpike behind, which can mean more frequent intersections and slower speeds.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17.4 mi on Maine Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near ME 207 / Black Point Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.1 miles (ME 207 / Black Point Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (Scarborough Connector): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Scarborough, ME to Bethel, ME, road signs begin pointing toward New Gloucester along the way.
New Gloucester
23.2 mi in|~31m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 75.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 17.4 miles on Maine Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.04 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 Bethel, ME before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 0.1 miles (ME 207 / Black Point Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (Scarborough Connector): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bethel, ME before heading back.
