How far is Sanford, ME from Bangor, ME?

The driving distance from Sanford, ME to Bangor, ME is about 162 miles (260.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.6 miles (219.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
162.01 mi
02h 34m
Flight
136.6 mi
219.83 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sanford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
136.6 mi
Kilometers
219.83 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.01 mi
Kilometers
260.73 km
Drive Time
02h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bangor
Wed, May 6, 12:08 AM EDT
Return by in Sanford
Wed, May 6, 2:43 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sanford
2026-05-05T21:34
Arrive Bangor
Wed, May 6, 12:08 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sanford
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Gardiner
ME

City in Maine

From Sanford
80.9 mi
01h 17m
To Bangor
81.1 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW
Destination
63°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 17 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    27 m · 8 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    763 ft · 23 sec · Washington Street

  3. 3

    Continue on River Street

    872 ft · 26 sec · River Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Cottage Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Cottage Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Sanford Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Sanford Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Biddeford Road

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Alfred Road

    8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Alfred Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Alfred Street

  9. 9

    Take the ramp left

    735 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 95 North Toll: Portland, Augusta

    1317 ft · 33 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

    12.2 mi · 13 min · Maine Turnpike

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Downtown Portland

    52.5 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

    80.1 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Maine Turnpike

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 2, ME 100: Hammond Street, Airport

    1197 ft · 29 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Hammond Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Hammond Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Hammond Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sanford and Bangor.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Maine Turnpike
92.3 mi · 57%
Downtown Portland
52.5 mi · 32%
Alfred Road
8.23 mi · 5%
Sanford Road
2.39 mi · 1%
Biddeford Road
1.84 mi · 1%
Alfred Street
1.51 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Maine Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

80.1 mi · 01h 27m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.4 mi
136.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gardiner
01h 17m from Sanford
Leave By
1:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Sanford and Mostly Sunny near Bangor.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 162 miles (260.7 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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 80.9 miles from Sanford and 81.1 miles from Bangor.

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

The direct path is about 136.6 miles (219.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.57 one way or $45.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sanford and Mostly Sunny near Bangor.

Stop Ideas Near Gardiner

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Gardiner, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Augusta, ME

14 mi away
9 Industrial Drive
BUS

Wiscasset, Maine

27 mi away
279 Bath Rd.
BUS

Damariscotta, Maine

29 mi away
167 Main St.
BUS

Waldoboro, Maine

34 mi away
US hwy 1 and hwy 32

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Bangor. Straight-line distance: 136.6 mi (219.83 km).

Sanford

#1 Sanford

City in York County, Maine, United States

Population21,253
Coordinates43.4392500, -70.7742200
Altitude92
CountryUnited States
Bangor

#2 Bangor

City in Penobscot County, Maine, USA

Population31,998
Coordinates44.8011800, -68.7778100
Altitude36
CountryUnited States
Start: (-70.77414, 43.439348)
End: Hammond Street (-68.777856, 44.801175)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 261 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.72 gal
21.64 L · about $22.57
Round trip
$45.13
11.44 gal · 43.28 L
Estimated CO2
50.8 kg one way
Round trip: 101.7 kg / 224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $22.57 $45.13
Mid-grade $4.46 $25.49 $50.99
Premium $4.86 $27.79 $55.58
Diesel $6.00 $34.30 $68.61

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 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Sanford and Bangor. The current time is 21:34:29.

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.