West Scarborough, ME to Limestone, ME is 311.1 miles and takes about 6h 3m via Maine Turnpike and I 295, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and entirely within Maine, making it a straightforward drive. Given its mostly highway profile, you'll cover a significant distance efficiently. Plan for a full day of driving; it's a substantial trek but manageable in one go if you start early.
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
155.6 miles from West Scarborough, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Maine Turnpike
198.3 mi
3h 26m
I 295
50.4 mi
58m
Houlton Road
12 mi
17m
Route 1
9.3 mi
14m
Limestone Road
8.4 mi
12m
Main Road
6.7 mi
10m
North Road
5.8 mi
8m
Fort Street
5.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Maine Turnpike
— 198.3 mi, about 3h 26m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 39 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,557 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,064
Quietest
2 AM
~87 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
29.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Limestone, 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
198 mi·3 hr 26 min·Maine Turnpike
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 302Toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
8
Turn left onto US 1
3.2 mi·5 min·North Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 1
5.8 mi·8 min·North Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Continue on US 1
0.7 mi·54 sec·US Highway 1
11
Continue on US 1
6.4 mi·10 min·Route 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on US 1
6.7 mi·10 min·Main Road
13
Continue on US 1
2.7 mi·4 min·Route 1
14
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·40 sec·Military Road
15
Continue on US 1
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
16
Turn straight onto US 1A
0.1 mi·9 sec·Bridge Street
17
Continue on US 1A
5.8 mi·8 min·Fort Street
18
Continue on US 1A
12 mi·17 min·Houlton Road
19
Continue on US 1A; 167
1.0 mi·1 min·Presque Isle Street
20
Continue on US 1A
0.2 mi·20 sec·Bridge Street
21
Continue on US 1A
8.4 mi·12 min·Limestone Road
22
Continue on US 1A
1.2 mi·1 min·Fort Fairfield Road
23
Continue on US 1A
0.6 mi·59 sec·Main Street
24
Turn left onto Trafton Avenue
73 ft·3 sec·Trafton Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Trafton Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from West Scarborough to maximize daylight. With 311.1 miles and a fuel cost estimated around $52, consider stopping for fuel before you leave or shortly after starting. The longest stretch is 198.3 miles, so plan your break around that point. While this trip can be done in a single day, a mid-drive stop for lunch or a stretch is recommended to break up the 6 hours of driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the final stretch into Limestone.
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 155.6 miles from West Scarborough, ME, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.3 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 68 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.6 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Limestone, 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 311.1 miles and 6h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 198.3 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 255.3 — 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
255 mi into trip|~4h 36m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 302
Toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
4
255.3 mi into trip|~4h 37m in|US 1 / North Street
Turn left onto US 1 / North Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.99 one way
$109.99 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$60.24
$120.47
premium
$5.29
$64.78
$129.56
diesel
$5.35
$65.53
$131.05
Estimated Tolls: $11.90
Maine Turnpike
(198.3 mi)$11.90
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
$55
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.3
1
$32.67
$14.93
Efficient EV
77.8
0
$27.22
$12.44
EV Truck/SUV
124.4
1
$43.55
$19.91
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
West Scarborough, ME
Afternoon
in West Scarborough on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 10 to 15 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Limestone, ME
Afternoon
in Limestone on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Sunny
N 12 mph1% 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
7 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
6h 3m 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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 214.6
Park Closure: Loop Road and North Entrance Seasonal Closures
Park Closure: Katahdin Overlook Construction Closure
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
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 42.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 84% of this 311.1-mile trip, primarily on the Maine Turnpike and I 295. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 198.3 miles along the Maine Turnpike. After the highway portion concludes, you'll transition to surface roads, likely the Houlton Road, for the remainder of your drive. Expect numerous exits and merges as you navigate the highway system for the majority of this route.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.3 mi on Maine Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maine Turnpike and I 295. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 1 / Route 1.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 3m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 7 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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
768 ft16 ft
Total Climb
1,154 ft
Total Descent
620 ft
Highest Point
768 ft
~288.9 mi in
Elevation Range
752 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 Limestone, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Presque Isle along the way.
The longest stretch is about 198.3 miles on Maine Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.90 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 10 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 Limestone, 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 10 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Limestone, ME before the return drive.
