How far is Scarborough, ME from Chelsea, ME?

The driving distance from Scarborough, ME to Chelsea, ME is about 60.6 miles (97.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 55.4 miles (89.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
60.62 mi
01h 16m
Flight
55.34 mi
89.06 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Scarborough.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
55.34 mi
Kilometers
89.06 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
60.62 mi
Kilometers
97.56 km
Drive Time
01h 16m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chelsea
Thu, Apr 16, 1:36 AM EDT
Return by in Scarborough
Thu, Apr 16, 2:53 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Scarborough
2026-04-16T00:19
Arrive Chelsea
Thu, Apr 16, 1:36 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:56 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Scarborough
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Topsham
ME

Town in Maine, United States

From Scarborough
30.3 mi
00h 38m
To Chelsea
30.3 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Thursday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E
Destination
56°F
Thursday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Scarborough and Chelsea.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Scarborough and Chelsea.

  1. 1

    Start on Highland Avenue

    81 m · 11 sec · Highland Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Black Point Road

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Black Point Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Route 1

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Route 1

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on Scarborough Connector

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Scarborough Connector

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    49.2 mi · 57 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner

    1774 ft · 50 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Lewiston Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Lewiston Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Cobbossee Avenue

    1.1 km · 60 sec · Cobbossee Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on Lewiston Road

    642 ft · 11 sec · Lewiston Road

  10. 10

    Continue on Central Street

    916 ft · 15 sec · Central Street

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Water Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · Water Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Bridge Street

    2616 ft · 49 sec · Bridge Street

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Water Street

    974 ft · 34 sec · Water Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Windsor Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Windsor Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Togus Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Togus Road

  16. 16

    Turn sharp left onto Hankerson Road

    17 m · 2 sec · Hankerson Road

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Hankerson Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Scarborough and Chelsea.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Scarborough Connector
51.3 mi · 85%
Windsor Street
1.74 mi · 3%
Lewiston Road
1.23 mi · 2%
Black Point Road
1.22 mi · 2%
Togus Road
1.21 mi · 2%
Route 1
1.14 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Scarborough Connector

Merge slight left

49.2 mi · 00h 57m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.2 mi
55.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Topsham
00h 38m from Scarborough
Leave By
3:56 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Scarborough and Rain Showers Likely near Chelsea.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Scarborough to Chelsea?

The road trip is about 60.6 miles (97.6 km) and usually takes 01h 16m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Topsham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.3 miles from Scarborough and 30.3 miles from Chelsea.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 55.4 miles (89.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:56 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.44 one way or $16.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Scarborough and Rain Showers Likely near Chelsea.

Stop Ideas Near Topsham

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Topsham, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Topsham.

BUS

Brunswick Maine Street Station

4 mi away
101 Bath Rd.
RAIL

Freeport

13 mi away
36 Depot Street
BUS

Bath, Maine

13 mi away
10 State Rd
BUS

Wiscasset, Maine

24 mi away
279 Bath Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Scarborough and Chelsea. Straight-line distance: 55.34 mi (89.06 km).

Scarborough

#1 Scarborough

Town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States

Population21,527
Coordinates43.5781400, -70.3217200
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Chelsea

#2 Chelsea

Town in Maine, US

Population2,753
Coordinates44.2503500, -69.7172700
Altitude55
CountryUnited States
Start: Scarborough (-70.32172, 43.57814)
End: Chelsea (-69.71727, 44.25035)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 98 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 12m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.14 gal
8.1 L · about $8.44
Round trip
$16.88
4.28 gal · 16.2 L
Estimated CO2
19 kg one way
Round trip: 38 kg / 84 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $8.44 $16.88
Mid-grade $4.46 $9.54 $19.08
Premium $4.86 $10.40 $20.79
Diesel $6.00 $12.83 $25.67

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Maine · Apr 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Scarborough and Chelsea. The current time is 00:19:52.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.