The drive from Southwest Harbor, ME to Scarborough, ME covers 166.6 miles and takes about 3h 36m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 295, Belfast Augusta Road, Route 1 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 50.5 miles on I 295.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.82 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
83.3 miles from Southwest Harbor, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 166.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Southwest Harbor, ME to Scarborough, ME covers 166.6 miles and takes about 3h 36m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 48 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 50.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.6 miles in near ME 3 / State Highway 3.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 166.6 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 10.6 miles (ME 3 / State Highway 3): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles (Beechland Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.1 miles (US 1; ME 3 / Route 1): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
10.6 mi into trip|~15m in|ME 3 / State Highway 3
At end of road, turn left onto ME 3 / State Highway 3
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
6
18.1 mi into trip|~29m in|Beechland Road
Turn left onto Beechland Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
40.1 mi into trip|~56m in|US 1; ME 3 / Route 1
Turn left onto US 1; ME 3 / Route 1
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
111.5 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 295
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 103
Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Bru...
7
162 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|Scarborough Connector
Keep slight right at fork onto Scarborough Connector toward Scarborough, Old Orchard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 2
Toward Scarborough, Old Orchard
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Southwest Harbor, ME and Scarborough, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor, Kittery and Brunswick.
Waterville
104.6 mi in|~2h 21m
Bangor
104.6 mi in|~2h 21m
Kittery
105 mi in|~2h 21m
Brunswick
111.5 mi in|~2h 29m|via I 295
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
50.5 mi
58m
Belfast Augusta Road
17.6 mi
21m
Route 1
16.3 mi
21m
Acadia Highway
13.4 mi
15m
North Belfast Avenue
9.1 mi
13m
Bucksport Road
8.5 mi
9m
Main Street
7 mi
10m
Bar Harbor Road
6.7 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 50.5 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southwest Harbor, ME and Scarborough, ME.
1
Start on Clark Point Road
236 ft·8 sec·Clark Point Road
2
Turn right onto Main Street
7.0 mi·10 min·Main Street
3
Continue on ME 102; ME 198
3.5 mi·5 min·State Highway 102
4
Continue on ME 102
0.1 mi·17 sec·Triangle Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
At end of road, turn left onto ME 3
0.1 mi·15 sec·State Highway 3
Use the left / right lanes.
6
Continue on ME 3
6.7 mi·11 min·Bar Harbor Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on ME 3
0.7 mi·1 min·High Street
8
Turn left onto Beechland Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Beechland Road
Use the left lane.
9
At end of road, turn right onto ME 230
1.0 mi·1 min·Bayside Road
10
Continue on ME 230
0.8 mi·1 min·Water Street
11
Turn left onto US 1; ME 3
0.2 mi·10 sec·West Main Street
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; ME 3
278 ft·3 sec·Main Street
13
Continue on US 1; ME 3
8.5 mi·9 min·Bucksport Road
14
Continue on US 1; ME 3
9.4 mi·10 min·Acadia Highway
15
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
1.0 mi·1 min·Route 1
16
Continue on US 1; ME 3; ME 15
135 ft·9 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto US 1; ME 3
0.1 mi·16 sec·Route 1
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 1; ME 3
1.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 1
19
Continue on US 1; ME 3
13 mi·15 min·Route 1
20
Continue on US 1; ME 3
2.7 mi·4 min·Searsport Avenue
21
Continue on US 1; ME 3
0.7 mi·1 min·Route 1
22
Take the exit onto ME 3
0.3 mi·38 sec·ME 3
23
Keep slight right at fork onto ME 3
373 ft·12 sec·ME 3
24
Merge onto ME 3
3.9 mi·4 min·Belmont Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on ME 3
4.8 mi·5 min·Augusta Road
26
Continue on ME 3
3.4 mi·3 min·Belfast Augusta Road East
27
Continue on ME 3
4.0 mi·4 min·Acadia Highway
28
Continue on ME 3
18 mi·21 min·Belfast Augusta Road
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
0.2 mi·16 sec·Belfast Road
30
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
8.1 mi·11 min·North Belfast Avenue
31
Turn left onto US 202; ME 9
1.0 mi·1 min·North Belfast Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
At end of road, turn left onto US 201; US 202; ME 9; ME 100
0.6 mi·52 sec·Bangor Street
33
Enter roundabout onto US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
159 ft·3 sec·Memorial Drive
34
Continue on US 201; US 202; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi·1 min·Memorial Drive
35
Enter roundabout onto US 201; ME 27
401 ft·7 sec·State Street
36
Continue on US 201; ME 27
0.2 mi·19 sec·State Street
37
Turn right onto Capitol Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Capitol Street
38
Turn straight onto Armory Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Armory Street
39
Turn left onto US 202; ME 11; ME 17; ME 100
0.7 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
40
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 95: Portland, Waterville, Bangor
41
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I-95 South: Portland, Kittery
42
Merge onto I 95
5.9 mi·6 min·Maine Turnpike
43
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
51 mi·58 min·I 295
Exit 103Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, BrunswickUse the straight lane.
44
Keep slight right at fork onto Scarborough Connector
2.1 mi·2 min·Scarborough Connector
Exit 2Toward Scarborough, Old Orchard
45
Turn straight onto US 1; ME 9
1.2 mi·2 min·Route 1
46
Turn left onto ME 207
1.2 mi·2 min·Black Point Road
47
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
267 ft·7 sec·Highland Avenue
48
Arrive at destination
Highland Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.3 miles from Southwest Harbor, ME, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.5 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 37 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.3 miles or 1h 50m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scarborough, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Southwest Harbor, 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 Southwest Harbor, ME
This is one driving day of about 166.6 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Southwest Harbor, 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 50.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.3 mi from Southwest Harbor, ME
· 1h 50m into the drive
The midpoint is around 83.3 miles from Southwest Harbor, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Scarborough, ME
The final approach into Scarborough, 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 Scarborough, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Acadia National Park
National Park
Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
$6
near mile 5.7
Park Closure: Cadillac Summit Road Closed for Construction
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 120.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.82 one way
$53.64 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$29.51
$59.02
premium
$4.86
$31.90
$63.81
diesel
$5.61
$36.78
$73.57
Estimated Tolls: $0.36
Maine Turnpike
(5.9 mi)$0.36
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
$27
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50
0
$17.49
$8.00
Efficient EV
41.7
0
$14.58
$6.66
EV Truck/SUV
66.6
0
$23.32
$10.66
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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 as of Dec 18, 2023
Origin
Southwest Harbor, ME
Late night
in Southwest Harbor on Saturday
Local time
12:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
28°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scarborough, ME
Late night
in Scarborough on Saturday
Local time
12:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Washington, ME
83 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
19 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
3h 36m 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 Southwest Harbor, ME to Scarborough, ME covers 166.6 miles and takes about 3h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 295, Belfast Augusta Road, Route 1. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.3 miles from Southwest Harbor, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.82 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 166.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.6 miles (ME 3 / State Highway 3): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles (Beechland Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.1 miles (US 1; ME 3 / Route 1): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Southwest Harbor, ME and Scarborough, ME, road signs point toward Waterville, Bangor, Kittery and Brunswick.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Acadia National Park and Frances Perkins National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
