How far is Howland, ME from Sanford, ME?

The driving distance from Howland, ME to Sanford, ME is about 195.2 miles (314.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162.2 miles (261.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
195.22 mi
03h 08m
Flight
162.27 mi
261.15 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Howland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
162.27 mi
Kilometers
261.15 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
195.22 mi
Kilometers
314.17 km
Drive Time
03h 08m

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 03h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sanford
Sun, Apr 19, 9:26 AM EDT
Return by in Howland
Sun, Apr 19, 12:34 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Howland
2026-04-19T06:18
Arrive Sanford
Sun, Apr 19, 9:26 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:44 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Howland
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Sidney
ME

Town in Maine, United States

From Howland
97.4 mi
01h 34m
To Sanford
97.8 mi
01h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Sunday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph S
Destination
57°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on LaGrange Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · LaGrange Road

  2. 2

    Take the ramp left

    1961 ft · 48 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    112.9 mi · 2 hr 2 min

  4. 4

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

    50.5 mi · 59 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    2.6 mi · 4 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

    11.6 mi · 12 min · Maine Turnpike

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward ME 111: Biddeford

    1.2 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Alfred Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Alfred Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Alfred Road

    8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road

  10. 10

    Continue on Biddeford Road

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road

  11. 11

    Continue on Sanford Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Sanford Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Cottage Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Cottage Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto River Street

    872 ft · 26 sec · River Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Washington Street

    763 ft · 25 sec · Washington Street

  15. 15

    Turn left

    27 m · 7 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Howland 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
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
LaGrange Road
114 mi · 58%
I 295 South
53.2 mi · 27%
Maine Turnpike
11.6 mi · 6%
Alfred Road
8.23 mi · 4%
Sanford Road
2.4 mi · 1%
Biddeford Road
1.83 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

LaGrange Road

Merge slight left

113 mi · 02h 02m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 08m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33 mi
162.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sidney
01h 34m from Howland
Leave By
10:44 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Howland and Rain Showers Likely near Sanford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 195.2 miles (314.2 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?

Sidney is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.4 miles from Howland and 97.8 miles from Sanford.

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

The direct path is about 162.2 miles (261.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 33 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 10:44 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.18 one way or $54.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Howland and Rain Showers Likely near Sanford.

Stop Ideas Near Sidney

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Sidney and the surrounding midpoint area.
Waterville Opera House
Scenic stop 8.8 mi away

Waterville Opera House

Waterville , ME
1 Common St, Waterville, ME 04901
Rating 4.7/5 291 reviews Opera house,Comedy club,Concert hall,Historical landmark,Performing arts theater
Augusta City Hall
Meeting point 9.1 mi away

Augusta City Hall

Augusta , ME
16 Cony St, Augusta, ME 04330
Rating 4.1/5 22 reviews City Hall
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 9 mi away

Inn At City Hall

Augusta , ME
1 Cony St, Augusta, ME 04330
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Retirement home

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sidney.

BUS

Augusta, ME

8 mi away
9 Industrial Drive
BUS

Waldoboro, Maine

44 mi away
US hwy 1 and hwy 32
BUS

Damariscotta, Maine

45 mi away
167 Main St.
BUS

Wiscasset, Maine

47 mi away
279 Bath Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Howland and Sanford. Straight-line distance: 162.27 mi (261.15 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Howland

City in Penobscot County, Maine, United States of America

Population1,171
Coordinates45.2386700, -68.6636400
Altitude51
CountryUnited States
Sanford

#2 Sanford

City in York County, Maine, United States

Population21,253
Coordinates43.4392500, -70.7742200
Altitude92
CountryUnited States
Start: Lagrange Road (-68.663597, 45.238366)
End: (-70.77414, 43.439348)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 314 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.89 gal
26.08 L · about $27.18
Round trip
$54.36
13.78 gal · 52.16 L
Estimated CO2
61.2 kg one way
Round trip: 122.5 kg / 270 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $27.18 $54.36
Mid-grade $4.46 $30.71 $61.42
Premium $4.86 $33.47 $66.94
Diesel $6.00 $41.32 $82.64

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 · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Howland and Sanford. The current time is 06:18:15.

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.