West Scarborough, ME to Fort Kent, ME is 323.3 miles and takes about 6h 38m via Maine Turnpike and I 295, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Maine, taking you from the Northeast region up through more rural parts of the state. With over 67% of the route on highways, it's a fairly direct trip. Plan for a single day if you're looking for efficiency, but know that the longest stretch without a significant break is over 160 miles.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
161.7 miles from West Scarborough, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Maine Turnpike
160.7 mi
2h 49m
I 295
50.4 mi
58m
Aroostook Road
30.6 mi
45m
Aroostook Scenic Highway
30.2 mi
44m
Portage Road
15.3 mi
22m
Masardis Road
11.7 mi
17m
Station Road
5.2 mi
7m
North Road
4.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 160.7 mi, about 2h 49m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 78 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,550 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,104
Quietest
2 AM
~86 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
29.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Scarborough, ME and Fort Kent, ME.
1
Start on this road
25 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 1
0.2 mi·29 sec·Route 1
3
Continue on US 1; ME 9
4.1 mi·8 min·US 1; ME 9
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
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
161 mi·2 hr 49 min·Maine Turnpike
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 264Toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten
8
Keep slight left at fork
70 ft·2 sec
9
Turn left onto Main Street
0.4 mi·32 sec·Main Street
10
Continue on Station Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Station Road
11
Continue on Route 11
0.2 mi·15 sec·Route 11
12
Continue on ME 11
3.5 mi·5 min·Station Road
13
Continue on ME 11
3.2 mi·4 min·South Patten Road
14
Continue on ME 11
1.1 mi·2 min·Main Street
15
Continue on ME 11
4.4 mi·6 min·North Road
16
Continue on ME 11
30 mi·44 min·Aroostook Scenic Highway
17
Continue on ME 11
12 mi·17 min·Masardis Road
18
Continue on ME 11
0.4 mi·42 sec·Main Street
19
Turn left onto ME 11
0.8 mi·1 min·Station Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto ME 11
15 mi·22 min·Portage Road
21
Continue on ME 11
31 mi·45 min·Aroostook Road
22
Continue on ME 11
0.6 mi·1 min·Pleasant Street
23
Turn right onto Bridge Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Bridge Street
24
Turn left onto ME 161
1.3 mi·1 min·Market Street
25
Turn right onto US 1
301 ft·10 sec·East Main Street
26
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
88 ft·4 sec·Highland Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Highland Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 38m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart West Scarborough in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. The longest stretch without a major road change is 160.7 miles, so consider a fuel and rest stop around the halfway point, perhaps before you transition off the main turnpikes. The estimated fuel cost of $54 is a good baseline, but always check current prices. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility if you encounter unexpected delays.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.7 miles from West Scarborough, ME, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 160.7 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 71 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.7 miles or 3h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Kent, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West 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 West Scarborough, ME
This is one driving day of about 323.3 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from West 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 Maine Turnpike for about 160.7 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 and 217.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 1 / Route 1
Turn left onto US 1 / Route 1
Navigation decision point
4
4.2 mi into trip|~8m in|Scarborough Connector
Keep slight left at fork onto Scarborough Connector
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
6.3 mi into trip|~11m in|I 295
Merge onto I 295
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
217.4 mi into trip|~3h 58m in
Take the exit toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 264
Toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten
5
217.7 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.90 one way
$111.81 round trip
$4.39/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$62.36
$124.71
premium
$5.27
$67.09
$134.18
diesel
$6.28
$79.88
$159.77
Estimated Tolls: $9.64
Maine Turnpike
(160.7 mi)$9.64
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
$56
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97
1
$33.95
$15.52
Efficient EV
80.8
0
$28.29
$12.93
EV Truck/SUV
129.3
1
$45.26
$20.69
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
West Scarborough, ME
Late night
in West Scarborough on Friday
Local time
12:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Sunny
S 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fort Kent, ME
Late night
in Fort Kent on Friday
Local time
12:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
SW 7 to 12 mph0% chanceLive 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
6h 38m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
National Monument
Spread across a wild landscape offering spectacular views of Katahdin, Katahdin Woods and Waters invites discovery of its rivers, streams, woods, flora, fauna, geology, and the night skies that have a...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 223
Caution: Increased Logging Traffic Along Swift Brook Road
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 44.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely highway, with 67% of the 323.3 miles on interstates like the Maine Turnpike and I 295. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of highway for 160.7 miles on the Maine Turnpike. Expect a mostly highway profile until you transition to Aroostook Road, which marks the end of the more direct interstate cruising. The abundance of highway means you'll likely see frequent exit signage for a good portion of the trip.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 160.7 mi on Maine Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and I 295. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 1 / Route 1.
Driving Effort5/10
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 323.3 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (US 1 / Route 1): Navigation decision point; at 4.2 miles (Scarborough Connector): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6.3 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
948 ft64 ft
Total Climb
1,465 ft
Total Descent
975 ft
Highest Point
948 ft
~300.2 mi in
Elevation Range
884 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 West Scarborough, ME to Fort Kent, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Patten along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 38m. Total distance: 323.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 160.7 miles on Maine Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.64 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.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Fort Kent, 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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: near the start (US 1 / Route 1): Navigation decision point; at 4.2 miles (Scarborough Connector): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6.3 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Kent, ME before the return drive.
