How far is Houlton, ME from Sanford, ME?
The driving distance from Houlton, ME to Sanford, ME is about 280.8 miles (451.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 234.8 miles (377.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 30m 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 04h 15m.
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.
Town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houlton and Sanford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houlton and Sanford.
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1
Start on the route
41 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn right onto Market Square
68 m · 7 sec · Market Square
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3
Turn right onto North Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Street
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4
Turn left
1631 ft · 40 sec
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5
Merge slight left
198.2 mi · 3 hr 27 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
50.5 mi · 59 min
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7
Keep slight left
2.6 mi · 4 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
11.6 mi · 12 min · Maine Turnpike
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9
Take the exit slight right toward ME 111: Biddeford
1.2 km · 2 min
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10
Turn right onto Alfred Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Alfred Street
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11
Continue on Alfred Road
8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road
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12
Continue on Biddeford Road
1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road
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13
Continue on Sanford Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Sanford Road
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14
Continue on Cottage Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · Cottage Street
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15
Turn left onto River Street
872 ft · 26 sec · River Street
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16
Continue on Washington Street
763 ft · 25 sec · Washington Street
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17
Turn left
27 m · 7 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houlton and Sanford.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Houlton and Light Rain near Sanford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houlton to Sanford?
The road trip is about 280.8 miles (451.9 km) and usually takes 04h 15m 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?
Plymouth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.2 miles from Houlton and 140.6 miles from Sanford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 234.8 miles (377.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 46 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 8:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.09 one way or $78.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Houlton and Light Rain near Sanford.
Stop Ideas Near Plymouth
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 Plymouth.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houlton and Sanford. Straight-line distance: 234.84 mi (377.94 km).
#1 Houlton
Town in Maine, USA
| Population | 5,766 |
| Coordinates | 46.1261600, -67.8403000 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| 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: 452 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $39.09 | $78.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $44.17 | $88.34 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $48.14 | $96.29 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $59.43 | $118.86 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.