West Gardiner Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Trip from West Scarborough, ME to Unity, ME
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 9m
Distance
101.3 mi
163 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 0m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Scarborough, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Unity, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
West Scarborough to Unity is 101.3 miles and takes about 2h 9m via I 295 and Maine Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Maine, connecting two points in the Northeast region. The majority of this trip is on the highway, making it a straightforward connection between these two locations. With a relatively short duration and minimal fuel cost, it's a practical option for a quick trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.7 miles from West Scarborough, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 50.4 mi | 58m |
| Maine Turnpike | 29.3 mi | 32m |
| Unity Road | 6 mi | 9m |
| US 1 | 4.1 mi | 8m |
| State Route 139 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Waterville Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Scarborough Connector | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Neck Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 50.4 mi, about 58m
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Unity, 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
29 mi
·
32 min
·
Maine Turnpike
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 132
Toward ME 139: Fairfield, Benton
8
Turn right onto ME 139
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Western Avenue
9
Turn right onto Newhall Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Newhall Street
10
At end of road, turn left onto Lawrence Avenue
498 ft
·
15 sec
·
Lawrence Avenue
11
Continue on ME 11; ME 100; ME 139
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bridge Street
12
Continue on ME 11; ME 100; ME 139
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Neck Road
13
Turn left onto ME 11; ME 100; ME 139
460 ft
·
12 sec
·
Clinton Avenue
14
Turn right onto ME 139
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Sebasticook Bridge Road
15
Turn left onto ME 139
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Unity Road
16
Continue on ME 139
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
State Route 139
17
Continue on ME 139
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Waterville Road
18
Continue on ME 139
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
School Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 202; ME 9
65 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 202; ME 9
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day drive of just over two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving West Scarborough in the morning will get you to Unity with plenty of daylight remaining. The fuel cost is estimated at $17, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart, though you'll likely pass several service plazas on the Maine Turnpike. Keep an eye out for the transition from the interstate to Unity Road as you near your destination.
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 50.7 miles from West Scarborough, ME, or about 1h 2m 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.7 miles or 1h 2m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Unity, 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 101.3 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from West Scarborough, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.7 miles from West Scarborough, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 101.3 — 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
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
86 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward ME 139: Fairfield, Benton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 132
Toward ME 139: Fairfield, Benton
6
87.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
Lawrence Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Lawrence Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
101.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
|
US 202; ME 9 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 202; ME 9 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.68 one way
$35.36 round trip
$4.43/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.93 | $19.68 | $39.36 |
| premium | $5.30 | $21.14 | $42.28 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $24.64 | $49.29 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.76
Maine Turnpike
(29.3 mi)
$1.76
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
$18
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.64 | $4.86 |
| Efficient EV | 25.3 | 0 | $8.86 | $4.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.18 | $6.48 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
West Scarborough, ME
Morning in West Scarborough on Saturday
Local time
10:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Rain
S 10 to 15 mph
87% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
Destination
Unity, ME
Morning in Unity on Saturday
Local time
10:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Rain
S 10 to 15 mph
90% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
36°F
Brunswick, ME
51 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
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
2h 9m on the road
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.
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
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 45.4
Park Closure: For Current Visitor Information
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 85% of this 101.3-mile drive on highways, primarily on I 295 and the Maine Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 50.4 miles on I 295. Expect a mostly highway profile, with a transition to surface roads as you approach Unity. The density of exits on I 295 means you'll have frequent opportunities to get off the highway if needed.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. You will hit about 11 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 Effort
5/10
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 101.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 6.3 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 86 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
260 ft
24 ft
Total Climb
459 ft
Total Descent
303 ft
Highest Point
260 ft
~79.6 mi in
Elevation Range
236 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Unity, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Benton along the way.
Benton
86 mi in
|
~1h 41m
About the Cities
Starting in West Scarborough, ME
Full guide →Arriving in Unity, ME
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 101.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). 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 $1.76 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 3 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 6.3 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 86 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument. 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 Unity, ME before heading back.
How this page is built
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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