How far is Sanford, ME from Cape Elizabeth, ME?
The driving distance from Sanford, ME to Cape Elizabeth, ME is about 40 miles (64.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30 miles (48.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 00m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sanford and Cape Elizabeth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford and Cape Elizabeth.
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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
1.1 mi · 1 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward South Portland
1988 ft · 56 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Samantha Smith Way
1.1 mi · 2 min · Samantha Smith Way
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15
Turn left onto Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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16
Turn slight right onto Broadway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Broadway
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17
Continue on Broadway
971 ft · 19 sec · Broadway
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18
Turn right onto Ocean House Street
1037 ft · 26 sec · Ocean House Street
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19
Continue on Ocean Street
2519 ft · 52 sec · Ocean Street
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20
Continue on Ocean House Street
1055 ft · 21 sec · Ocean House Street
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21
Continue on Ocean House Road
3.7 mi · 7 min · Ocean House Road
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22
Turn slight left onto Two Lights Road
530 ft · 23 sec · Two Lights Road
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Two Lights Road
1.5 km · 4 min · Two Lights Road
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24
Continue on Two Lights Road
3131 ft · 2 min · Two Lights Road
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25
Turn right
55 m · 13 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sanford and Cape Elizabeth.
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
12.2 mi · 00h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Sanford and Rain Showers Likely near Cape Elizabeth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sanford to Cape Elizabeth?
The road trip is about 40 miles (64.3 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?
Saco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.9 miles from Sanford and 20 miles from Cape Elizabeth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30 miles (48.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 10 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 4:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.56 one way or $11.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Sanford and Rain Showers Likely near Cape Elizabeth.
Stop Ideas Near Saco
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 Saco.
Saco Transportation Center
Old Orchard Beach
Portland Transportation Center
Wells Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Cape Elizabeth. Straight-line distance: 30.03 mi (48.33 km).
#1 Sanford
City in York County, Maine, United States
| Population | 21,253 |
| Coordinates | 43.4392500, -70.7742200 |
| Altitude | 92 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cape Elizabeth
Town in Cumberland County, Maine, USA
| Population | 9,322 |
| Coordinates | 43.5637000, -70.2000500 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cape Elizabeth (-70.20005, 43.5637)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 64 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $5.56 | $11.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $6.28 | $12.57 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $6.85 | $13.70 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $8.46 | $16.91 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.