How far is Canaan, ME from Sanford, ME?

The driving distance from Canaan, ME to Sanford, ME is about 125.1 miles (201.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 109.4 miles (176.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 20m 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
125.13 mi
02h 10m
Flight
109.4 mi
176.07 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Canaan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
109.4 mi
Kilometers
176.07 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
125.13 mi
Kilometers
201.37 km
Drive Time
02h 10m

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 02h 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sanford
Sun, May 31, 2:41 AM EDT
Return by in Canaan
Sun, May 31, 4:51 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Canaan
2026-05-31T00:31
Arrive Sanford
Sun, May 31, 2:41 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:10 AM to 12:10 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:10 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Canaan
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
Bowdoinham
ME

City in Sagadahoc County, Maine, United States of America

From Canaan
62.4 mi
01h 05m
To Sanford
62.7 mi
01h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NW
Destination
68°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    583 ft · 9 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Hinckley Road

    4 mi · 7 min · Hinckley Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Canaan Road

    3 mi · 5 min · Canaan Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Hinckley Road

    550 ft · 17 sec · Hinckley Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Skowhegan Road

    6.4 mi · 9 min · Skowhegan Road

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right

    1676 ft · 41 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    30.1 mi · 33 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick

    50.5 mi · 59 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    2.6 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

    11.6 mi · 12 min · Maine Turnpike

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward ME 111: Biddeford

    1.2 km · 2 min

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Alfred Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Alfred Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Alfred Road

    8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Biddeford Road

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Sanford Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Sanford Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Cottage Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Cottage Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto River Street

    872 ft · 26 sec · River Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Washington Street

    763 ft · 25 sec · Washington Street

  19. 19

    Turn left

    27 m · 7 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 295 South
53.2 mi · 42%
Skowhegan Road
36.8 mi · 29%
Maine Turnpike
11.6 mi · 9%
Alfred Road
8.23 mi · 7%
Hinckley Road
4.06 mi · 3%
Canaan Road
3.05 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 295 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick

50.5 mi · 00h 59m

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
02h 10m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.7 mi
109.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bowdoinham
01h 05m from Canaan
Leave By
2:10 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Canaan and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sanford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 125.1 miles (201.4 km) and usually takes 02h 10m 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?

Bowdoinham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.4 miles from Canaan and 62.7 miles from Sanford.

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

The direct path is about 109.4 miles (176.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.7 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 2:10 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.40 one way or $34.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Canaan and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sanford.

Stop Ideas Near Bowdoinham

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

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

BUS

Bath, Maine

12 mi away
10 State Rd
BUS

Brunswick Maine Street Station

12 mi away
101 Bath Rd.
BUS

Wiscasset, Maine

17 mi away
279 Bath Rd.
RAIL

Freeport

24 mi away
36 Depot Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Canaan and Sanford. Straight-line distance: 109.4 mi (176.07 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Canaan

Human settlement in Somerset County, Maine, United States of America

Population2,168
Coordinates44.7617300, -69.5614400
Altitude71
CountryUnited States
Sanford

#2 Sanford

City in York County, Maine, United States

Population21,253
Coordinates43.4392500, -70.7742200
Altitude92
CountryUnited States
Start: US 2 (-69.561642, 44.762067)
End: (-70.77414, 43.439348)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 201 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.41 gal
16.71 L · about $17.40
Round trip
$34.79
8.82 gal · 33.42 L
Estimated CO2
39.2 kg one way
Round trip: 78.4 kg / 173 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $17.40 $34.79
Mid-grade $4.46 $19.66 $39.31
Premium $4.86 $21.42 $42.85
Diesel $6.00 $26.45 $52.89

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Canaan and Sanford. The current time is 00:31:13.

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.