How far is Caribou, ME from Sanford, ME?
The driving distance from Caribou, ME to Sanford, ME is about 333.6 miles (536.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 272 miles (437.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 05h 23m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Penobscot County, Maine, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Caribou and Sanford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Caribou and Sanford.
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1
Start on the route
13 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
31 m · 2 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn slight left onto Herschel Street
145 m · 11 sec · Herschel Street
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4
Turn left onto Record Street
144 m · 14 sec · Record Street
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5
Turn left onto Washburn Street
116 m · 8 sec · Washburn Street
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6
Turn right onto Main Street
617 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
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7
Turn slight left onto Lyndon Street
1364 ft · 40 sec · Lyndon Street
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8
Turn right onto Presque Isle Road
5.7 mi · 8 min · Presque Isle Road
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9
Continue on Caribou Road
5.1 mi · 7 min · Caribou Road
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10
Continue on Main Street
1607 ft · 48 sec · Main Street
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11
Turn right onto Connector Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Connector Road
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12
Continue on State Road
1078 ft · 18 sec · State Road
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13
Continue on Parsons Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Parsons Street
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14
Turn left onto State Street
1051 ft · 22 sec · State Street
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15
Turn right onto Main Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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16
Continue on Houlton Road
10.3 mi · 14 min · Houlton Road
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17
Continue on Presque Isle Road
2 mi · 3 min · Presque Isle Road
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18
Continue on Benjamin Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Benjamin Street
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto Main Street
2412 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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20
Continue on Military Road
1649 ft · 40 sec · Military Road
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21
Continue on Route 1
2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1
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22
Continue on Main Road
6.7 mi · 11 min · Main Road
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23
Continue on Route 1
6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1
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24
Continue on US Highway 1
1.1 km · 55 sec · US Highway 1
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25
Continue on North Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
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26
Continue on North Street
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Street
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27
Take the exit right
1588 ft · 39 sec
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28
Merge slight left
198.2 mi · 3 hr 27 min
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29
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
50.5 mi · 59 min
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30
Keep slight left
2.6 mi · 4 min
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31
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
11.6 mi · 12 min · Maine Turnpike
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32
Take the exit slight right toward ME 111: Biddeford
1.2 km · 2 min
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33
Turn right onto Alfred Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Alfred Street
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34
Continue on Alfred Road
8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road
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35
Continue on Biddeford Road
1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road
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36
Continue on Sanford Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Sanford Road
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37
Continue on Cottage Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · Cottage Street
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38
Turn left onto River Street
872 ft · 26 sec · River Street
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39
Continue on Washington Street
763 ft · 25 sec · Washington Street
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40
Turn left
27 m · 7 sec
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41
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Caribou and Sanford.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
North Street
Merge slight left
198 mi · 03h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Caribou 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 Caribou to Sanford?
The road trip is about 333.6 miles (536.8 km) and usually takes 05h 23m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Veazie is a useful midpoint, sitting about 166.7 miles from Caribou and 166.9 miles from Sanford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 272 miles (437.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 61.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:14 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.43 one way or $92.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 104.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny around Caribou and Mostly Sunny near Sanford.
Stop Ideas Near Veazie
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Veazie.
Orono (University of Maine), Maine
Bangor, Maine
Searsport, Maine
Belfast, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Caribou and Sanford. Straight-line distance: 271.99 mi (437.72 km).
#1 Caribou
City in Maine
| Population | 7,622 |
| Coordinates | 46.8606000, -68.0119700 |
| Altitude | 137 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sanford
City in York County, Maine, United States
| Population | 21,253 |
| Coordinates | 43.4392500, -70.7742200 |
| Altitude | 92 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-70.77414, 43.439348)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 537 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $46.43 | $92.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $52.46 | $104.92 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $57.18 | $114.36 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $70.58 | $141.17 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.