How far is Bristol, ME from Sanford, ME?

The driving distance from Bristol, ME to Sanford, ME is about 91.7 miles (147.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.6 miles (116.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 36m 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
91.71 mi
01h 48m
Flight
72.63 mi
116.89 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bristol.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72.63 mi
Kilometers
116.89 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
91.71 mi
Kilometers
147.59 km
Drive Time
01h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sanford
Tue, May 12, 10:23 PM EDT
Return by in Bristol
Wed, May 13, 12:11 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bristol
2026-05-12T20:34
Arrive Sanford
Tue, May 12, 10:23 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:48 AM to 11:48 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:54 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bristol
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
Yarmouth
ME

Census-designated place in Cumberland County, Maine

From Bristol
45.7 mi
00h 54m
To Sanford
46 mi
00h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
59°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bristol and Sanford.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bristol and Sanford.

  1. 1

    Start on Bristol Road

    5.7 mi · 10 min · Bristol Road

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street

    2175 ft · 37 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Main Street

    2729 ft · 46 sec · Main Street

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Route 1

    6.4 mi · 9 min · Route 1

  5. 5

    Continue on Main Street

    2605 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto Bath Road

    4 mi · 8 min · Bath Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Route 1

    4.9 mi · 7 min · Route 1

  8. 8

    Continue on Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Leeman Highway

    9.2 mi · 13 min · Leeman Highway

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Pleasant Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Pleasant Street

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    2443 ft · 42 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 295 South: Freeport, Portland

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    25.1 mi · 31 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    2.6 mi · 4 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

    11.6 mi · 12 min · Maine Turnpike

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward ME 111: Biddeford

    1.2 km · 2 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Alfred Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Alfred Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Alfred Road

    8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Biddeford Road

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Sanford Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Sanford Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Cottage Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Cottage Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto River Street

    872 ft · 26 sec · River Street

  23. 23

    Continue on Washington Street

    763 ft · 25 sec · Washington Street

  24. 24

    Turn left

    27 m · 7 sec

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bristol and Sanford.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
3 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
27.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 295 South
29.4 mi · 32%
Maine Turnpike
11.6 mi · 13%
Route 1
11.3 mi · 12%
Leeman Highway
9.16 mi · 10%
Alfred Road
8.23 mi · 9%
Bristol Road
5.7 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

I 295 South

Merge slight left

25.1 mi · 00h 31m

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 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.1 mi
72.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Yarmouth
00h 54m from Bristol
Leave By
2:54 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Bristol and Mostly Sunny near Sanford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bristol to Sanford?

The road trip is about 91.7 miles (147.6 km) and usually takes 01h 48m 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?

Yarmouth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.7 miles from Bristol and 46 miles from Sanford.

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

The direct path is about 72.6 miles (116.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.1 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 2:54 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.78 one way or $25.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bristol and Mostly Sunny near Sanford.

Stop Ideas Near Yarmouth

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Yarmouth, 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 Yarmouth.

RAIL

Freeport

9 mi away
36 Depot Street
RAIL

Portland Transportation Center

19 mi away
100 Thompson's Point Road
BUS

Brunswick Maine Street Station

23 mi away
101 Bath Rd.
BUS

Bath, Maine

32 mi away
10 State Rd

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bristol and Sanford. Straight-line distance: 72.63 mi (116.89 km).

Bristol

#1 Bristol

Town in Maine, United States

Population2,796
Coordinates43.9575800, -69.5092100
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Sanford

#2 Sanford

City in York County, Maine, United States

Population21,253
Coordinates43.4392500, -70.7742200
Altitude92
CountryUnited States
Start: Bristol Road (-69.509243, 43.957582)
End: (-70.77414, 43.439348)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 148 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.24 gal
12.25 L · about $12.78
Round trip
$25.56
6.48 gal · 24.5 L
Estimated CO2
28.8 kg one way
Round trip: 57.6 kg / 127 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $12.78 $25.56
Mid-grade $4.46 $14.44 $28.88
Premium $4.86 $15.74 $31.48
Diesel $6.00 $19.43 $38.86

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Bristol and Sanford. The current time is 20:34:41.

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.