If you are planning a trip from Scarborough to Bucksport, prepare for a 128.4-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes. This route is perfectly manageable as a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $21 on fuel for the trek, which primarily utilizes the Maine Turnpike, I-295, and Route 3. Because the drive is straightforward and efficient, it offers a great balance for travelers who want to minimize time behind the wheel. Both your origin and destination are located within the Northeast region, keeping the travel environment familiar throughout the trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
64.2 miles from Scarborough, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
50.4 mi
58m
Route 3
17.6 mi
21m
Maine Turnpike
9.8 mi
10m
North Belfast Avenue
8.1 mi
11m
West Main Street
7 mi
8m
East Main Street
6.3 mi
7m
Augusta Road
4.8 mi
5m
Belmont Avenue
4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 50.4 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scarborough, ME and Bucksport, 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
2.1 mi·2 min·Scarborough Connector
5
Merge onto I 295
50 mi·58 min·I 295
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 95
9.8 mi·10 min·Maine Turnpike
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·26 sec
Exit 113Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
9
Merge onto ME 3
2.5 mi·3 min·Augusta Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi·11 min·North Belfast Avenue
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi·16 sec·Belfast Road
12
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
18 mi·21 min·Route 3
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Acadia Highway
14
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi·3 min·Belfast Augusta Road West
15
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi·5 min·Augusta Road
16
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Belmont Avenue
17
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi·43 sec·ME 3
18
Merge onto US 1; ME 3
0.7 mi·1 min·Route 1
19
Continue on US 1; ME 3
2.7 mi·4 min·Searsport Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 1; ME 3
7.0 mi·8 min·West Main Street
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3
6.3 mi·7 min·East Main Street
22
Continue on US 1; ME 3
1.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 1
23
Continue on US 1; ME 3
0.1 mi·23 sec·Route 1
24
At end of road, turn left onto ME 15
0.4 mi·39 sec·Main Street
25
Turn right onto Mechanic Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Mechanic Street
26
Arrive at destination
Mechanic Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for a single stop will help you break up the 2-hour and 40-minute duration. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the Maine Turnpike to ensure you are covered for the $21 estimated cost. Because the route relies heavily on I-295 and Route 3, check local traffic reports for these specific arteries before you pull out of Scarborough. Maximizing your efficiency is easy here, so use that single recommended stop to stretch your legs rather than refueling if you topped off before leaving. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity will ensure you arrive in Bucksport refreshed and ready for your next move.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.2 miles from Scarborough, ME, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.4 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.2 miles or 1h 16m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bucksport, 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.
+
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 Scarborough, ME
This is one driving day of about 128.4 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Scarborough, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 50.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 65 — 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
5
4.5 mi into trip|~7m in|I 295
Merge onto I 295
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
64.7 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 113
Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
5
64.8 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
65 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|ME 3 / Augusta Bypass
Merge onto ME 3 / Augusta Bypass
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.67 one way
$41.34 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$22.74
$45.49
premium
$4.86
$24.59
$49.18
diesel
$5.61
$28.35
$56.70
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Maine Turnpike
(9.8 mi)$0.59
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
$21
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.5
0
$13.48
$6.16
Efficient EV
32.1
0
$11.24
$5.14
EV Truck/SUV
51.4
0
$17.98
$8.22
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Scarborough, ME
Late night
in Scarborough on Sunday
Local time
4:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bucksport, ME
Late night
in Bucksport on Sunday
Local time
4:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Augusta, ME
64 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 40m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 44.3
Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is distinctly highway-focused, with 63% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the interstate, including a 50.4-mile stretch on I-295 that serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. The transition from the high-speed Maine Turnpike to the secondary roads of Route 3 creates a shift in pace as you move toward Bucksport. While the experience leans heavily on efficient, fast-moving highway lanes, you can expect the road character to evolve as you exit the main arteries. It is a functional, direct route designed for steady progress rather than winding exploration.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.4 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Route 3. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near ME 207 / Black Point Road.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 128.4 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 0.1 miles (ME 207 / Black Point Road): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
520 ft-4 ft
Total Climb
609 ft
Total Descent
580 ft
Highest Point
520 ft
~91.7 mi in
Elevation Range
524 ft
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 Bucksport, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.
Belfast
64.7 mi in|~1h 17m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 128.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.4 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.59 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 Bucksport, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. 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 0.1 miles (ME 207 / Black Point Road): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument and Acadia National Park. 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 Bucksport, ME before heading back.
