Trip from Scarborough, ME to Bucksport, ME

Drive Time

2h 40m

Distance

128.4 mi

207 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 30m ★

6 AM

2h 40m

8 AM

3h 1m

10 AM

2h 48m

12 PM

2h 45m

3 PM

2h 49m

5 PM

3h 0m

8 PM

2h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Scarborough, ME

David Roberts

Trip Overview

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 .

Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 295 is the longest continuous segment at about 50.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | ME 207 / Black Point Road

Turn right onto ME 207 / Black Point Road

Navigation decision point

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 none lane.

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

64.8 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

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.

Towns Along This Route

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

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.

Start on Highland Avenue

267 ft · 10 sec · Highland Avenue

Turn right onto ME 207

1.2 mi · 2 min · Black Point Road

Turn right onto US 1; ME 9

1.1 mi · 2 min · Route 1

Keep slight left at fork onto Scarborough Connector

2.1 mi · 2 min · Scarborough Connector

Merge onto I 295

50 mi · 58 min · I 295

Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 95

9.8 mi · 10 min · Maine Turnpike

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 26 sec

Exit 113 Toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Merge onto ME 3

2.5 mi · 3 min · Augusta Bypass

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9

8.1 mi · 11 min · North Belfast Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Belfast Road

Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9

18 mi · 21 min · Route 3

Use the straight lane.

Continue on ME 3

4.0 mi · 4 min · Acadia Highway

Continue on ME 3

3.4 mi · 3 min · Belfast Augusta Road West

Continue on ME 3

4.8 mi · 5 min · Augusta Road

Continue on ME 3

4.0 mi · 4 min · Belmont Avenue

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto ME 3

0.3 mi · 43 sec · ME 3

Merge onto US 1; ME 3

0.7 mi · 1 min · Route 1

Continue on US 1; ME 3

2.7 mi · 4 min · Searsport Avenue

Use the left / none lanes.

Continue on US 1; ME 3

7.0 mi · 8 min · West Main Street

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3

6.3 mi · 7 min · East Main Street

Continue on US 1; ME 3

1.2 mi · 2 min · US Highway 1

Continue on US 1; ME 3

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Route 1

At end of road, turn left onto ME 15

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Main Street

Turn right onto Mechanic Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Mechanic Street

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 80 miles or 1h 38m 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 80 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 64.2 mi from Scarborough, ME · 1h 16m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brunswick, ME

64 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

Brunswick, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brunswick, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.2 miles from Scarborough, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Bucksport, ME

The final approach into Bucksport, ME usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Bucksport, ME.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.55 one way

$41.11 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.46	$22.53	$45.06
premium	$4.83	$24.41	$48.81
diesel	$5.64	$28.53	$57.05

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

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, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	38.5	$13.48	$6.16
Efficient EV	32.1	$11.24	$5.14
EV Truck/SUV	51.4	$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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Scarborough, ME

Evening in Scarborough on Sunday

Local time

7:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bucksport, ME

Evening in Bucksport on Sunday

Local time

7:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

43°F

Brunswick, 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

1 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Scarborough, ME to Bucksport, ME covers 128.4 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 295, Route 3, Maine Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 64.2 miles from Scarborough, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.55 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

On the drive from Scarborough, ME to Bucksport, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Belfast along the way.

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