How far is Charleston, ME from Sanford, ME?
The driving distance from Charleston, ME to Sanford, ME is about 163 miles (262.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 52m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Sanford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Sanford.
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1
Start on the route
55 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn straight onto Main Road
4 mi · 7 min · Main Road
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3
Turn left onto Dover Road
1721 ft · 29 sec · Dover Road
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4
Continue on Main Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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5
Turn right onto Exeter Road
7.2 mi · 13 min · Exeter Road
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto Exeter Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Exeter Road
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7
Continue on Exeter Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Exeter Road
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Exeter Road
4.3 mi · 8 min · Exeter Road
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto Dexter Road
127 m · 7 sec · Dexter Road
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10
Continue on Newport Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Newport Road
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11
Continue on Moosehead Trail
4.7 mi · 7 min · Moosehead Trail
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Ox Bow Road
43 m · 3 sec · Ox Bow Road
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Ox Bow Road
1284 ft · 44 sec · Ox Bow Road
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14
Take the exit slight right
1648 ft · 40 sec
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15
Merge slight right
53.5 mi · 58 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
50.5 mi · 59 min
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17
Keep slight left
2.6 mi · 4 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
11.6 mi · 12 min · Maine Turnpike
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19
Take the exit slight right toward ME 111: Biddeford
1.2 km · 2 min
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20
Turn right onto Alfred Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Alfred Street
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21
Continue on Alfred Road
8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road
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22
Continue on Biddeford Road
1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road
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23
Continue on Sanford Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Sanford Road
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24
Continue on Cottage Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · Cottage Street
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25
Turn left onto River Street
872 ft · 26 sec · River Street
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26
Continue on Washington Street
763 ft · 25 sec · Washington Street
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27
Turn left
27 m · 7 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Sanford.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ox Bow Road
Merge slight right
53.5 mi · 00h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Charleston 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 Charleston to Sanford?
The road trip is about 163 miles (262.3 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?
Gardiner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.3 miles from Charleston and 81.6 miles from Sanford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.68 one way or $45.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Charleston and Mostly Sunny near Sanford.
Stop Ideas Near Gardiner
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 Gardiner.
Augusta, ME
Wiscasset, Maine
Damariscotta, Maine
Waldoboro, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Sanford. Straight-line distance: 142.44 mi (229.23 km).
#1 Charleston
Human settlement in Penobscot County, Maine, United States of America
| Population | 1,675 |
| Coordinates | 45.0850600, -69.0405900 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| 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: 262 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $22.68 | $45.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $25.63 | $51.26 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $27.93 | $55.87 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $34.48 | $68.97 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.