How far is Sanford, ME from Ashland, ME?
The driving distance from Sanford, ME to Ashland, ME is about 298.4 miles (480.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249 miles (400.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 45m 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 52m.
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 Maine, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sanford and Ashland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford and Ashland.
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1
Start on the route
27 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn right onto Washington Street
763 ft · 23 sec · Washington Street
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3
Continue on River Street
872 ft · 26 sec · River Street
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4
Turn right onto Cottage Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · Cottage Street
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5
Continue on Sanford Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Sanford Road
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6
Continue on Biddeford Road
1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road
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7
Continue on Alfred Road
8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road
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8
Continue on Alfred Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Alfred Street
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9
Take the ramp left
735 ft · 1 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 North Toll: Portland, Augusta
1317 ft · 33 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
12.2 mi · 13 min · Maine Turnpike
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Downtown Portland
52.5 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
160.7 mi · 2 hr 49 min · Maine Turnpike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward ME 158: Sherman, Patten
1493 ft · 43 sec
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15
Keep slight left
21 m · 3 sec
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16
Turn left onto Main Street
1898 ft · 32 sec · Main Street
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17
Continue on Station Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · Station Road
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18
Continue on Route 11
933 ft · 16 sec · Route 11
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19
Continue on Station Road
3.5 mi · 5 min · Station Road
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20
Continue on South Patten Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · South Patten Road
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21
Continue on Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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22
Continue on North Road
4.4 mi · 7 min · North Road
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23
Continue on Aroostook Scenic Highway
30.2 mi · 45 min · Aroostook Scenic Highway
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24
Continue on Masardis Road
11.7 mi · 17 min · Masardis Road
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25
Continue on Main Street
2216 ft · 43 sec · Main Street
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26
Turn left onto Station Street
588 ft · 13 sec · Station Street
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27
Turn right
34 m · 8 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 Sanford and Ashland.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Maine Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
161 mi · 02h 49m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Sanford and Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy near Ashland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sanford to Ashland?
The road trip is about 298.4 miles (480.3 km) and usually takes 05h 52m 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?
Carmel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.1 miles from Sanford and 149.3 miles from Ashland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249 miles (400.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.4 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 5:14 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.54 one way or $83.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Sanford and Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy near Ashland.
Stop Ideas Near Carmel
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 Carmel.
Bangor, Maine
Orono (University of Maine), Maine
Searsport, Maine
Belfast, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Ashland. Straight-line distance: 248.98 mi (400.7 km).
#1 Sanford
City in York County, Maine, United States
| Population | 21,253 |
| Coordinates | 43.4392500, -70.7742200 |
| Altitude | 92 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ashland
Town of the United States
| Population | 1,214 |
| Coordinates | 46.6311500, -68.4061500 |
| Altitude | 214 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ashland (-68.40615, 46.63115)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 480 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $41.54 | $83.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $46.93 | $93.86 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $51.15 | $102.31 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $63.15 | $126.30 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.