How far is Portland, ME from Sanford, ME?
The driving distance from Portland, ME to Sanford, ME is about 34.7 miles (55.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 29.9 miles (48.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 45m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 York County, Maine
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain
Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Portland and Sanford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portland and Sanford.
-
1
Start on Congress Street
148 m · 22 sec · Congress Street
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2
Turn right onto Brown Street
589 ft · 30 sec · Brown Street
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3
Turn left onto Cumberland Avenue
1233 ft · 32 sec · Cumberland Avenue
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4
Turn right onto High Street
1835 ft · 37 sec · High Street
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5
Continue on Forest Avenue
899 ft · 21 sec · Forest Avenue
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6
Take the exit slight right
740 ft · 18 sec
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7
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 5 min
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8
Keep slight left
2.6 mi · 4 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
11.6 mi · 12 min · Maine Turnpike
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10
Take the exit slight right toward ME 111: Biddeford
1.2 km · 2 min
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11
Turn right onto Alfred Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Alfred Street
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12
Continue on Alfred Road
8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road
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13
Continue on Biddeford Road
1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road
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14
Continue on Sanford Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Sanford Road
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15
Continue on Cottage Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · Cottage Street
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16
Turn left onto River Street
872 ft · 26 sec · River Street
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17
Continue on Washington Street
763 ft · 25 sec · Washington Street
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18
Turn left
27 m · 7 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portland and Sanford.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Maine Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
11.6 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Light Rain leaving Portland 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 Portland to Sanford?
The road trip is about 34.7 miles (55.8 km) and usually takes 00h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Biddeford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.3 miles from Portland and 17.3 miles from Sanford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 29.9 miles (48.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.81 one way or $9.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain around Portland and Light Rain near Sanford.
Stop Ideas Near Biddeford
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 Biddeford.
Saco Transportation Center
Old Orchard Beach
Portland Transportation Center
Wells Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Portland and Sanford. Straight-line distance: 29.88 mi (48.09 km).
#1 Portland
The most populous city in Cumberland County, Maine.
| Population | 66,803 |
| Coordinates | 43.6573700, -70.2589000 |
| Altitude | 19 |
| 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: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $4.81 | $9.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $5.44 | $10.88 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $5.93 | $11.85 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $7.32 | $14.63 |
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.