Origin
Scarborough, ME
Late night in Scarborough on Friday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Scarborough, ME to Chelsea, ME
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
60.6 mi
98 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 10m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scarborough, ME
David Roberts
Chelsea, ME
Quyn Phạm
Trip Overview
The drive from Scarborough, ME to Chelsea, ME covers 60.6 miles and takes about 1h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 295, Scarborough Connector, Windsor Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 49.2 miles on I 295. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.76 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 16m. Total distance: 60.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 16m highway drive covering 60.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 295 and Scarborough Connector. The longest continuous stretch is about 49.2 miles on I 295.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 49.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Scarborough Connector. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near ME 207 / Black Point Road.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 16m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 2.4 miles (Scarborough Connector): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.5 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
ME 207 / Black Point Road
Turn right onto ME 207 / Black Point Road
Navigation decision point
4
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Scarborough Connector
Keep slight left at fork onto Scarborough Connector
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
53.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 51
Toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner
5
60.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
Hankerson Road
Turn sharp left onto Hankerson Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
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 Chelsea, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Gardiner along the way.
Gardiner
53.7 mi in
|
~1h 4m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 49.2 mi | 56m |
| Scarborough Connector | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Windsor Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Lewiston Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Black Point Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Togus Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Route 1 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Water Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 49.2 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scarborough, ME and Chelsea, 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
49 mi
·
56 min
·
I 295
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 51
Toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner
7
Turn right onto ME 9; ME 126
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lewiston Road
8
Continue on Cobbossee Avenue
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Cobbossee Avenue
9
Continue on Lewiston Road
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Lewiston Road
10
Continue on Central Street
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Central Street
11
Turn straight onto Water Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Water Street
12
Turn left onto US 201
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Bridge Street
13
At end of road, turn right onto ME 27; ME 126
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Water Street
14
Turn left onto ME 226
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Windsor Street
15
Continue on ME 226
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Togus Road
16
Turn sharp left onto Hankerson Road
57 ft
·
2 sec
·
Hankerson Road
17
Arrive at destination
Hankerson Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.3 mi from Scarborough, ME · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.3 miles from Scarborough, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chelsea, ME
The final approach into Chelsea, ME usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.76 one way
$19.51 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $10.73 | $21.47 |
| premium | $4.86 | $11.60 | $23.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.38 | $26.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.36 | $2.91 |
| Efficient EV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.30 | $2.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.48 | $3.88 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Chelsea, ME
Late night in Chelsea on Friday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Yarmouth, ME
30 mi in
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
3 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
1h 16m 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 Chelsea, ME covers 60.6 miles and takes about 1h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 295, Scarborough Connector, Windsor Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.3 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 $9.76 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.
This is a straightforward 1h 16m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (ME 207 / Black Point Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (Scarborough Connector): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.5 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Scarborough, ME to Chelsea, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Gardiner along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Frances Perkins National Monument.
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