How far is Sanford, ME from Caribou, ME?
The driving distance from Sanford, ME to Caribou, ME is about 333.2 miles (536.2 km), with a travel time of about 06h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 272 miles (437.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 30m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Penobscot County, Maine, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sanford and Caribou.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford and Caribou.
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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
198.3 mi · 3 hr 27 min · Maine Turnpike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Houlton, Presque Isle
1444 ft · 43 sec
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15
Turn left onto North Street
3.2 mi · 6 min · North Street
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16
Continue on North Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
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17
Continue on US Highway 1
1.1 km · 55 sec · US Highway 1
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18
Continue on Route 1
6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1
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19
Continue on Main Road
6.7 mi · 11 min · Main Road
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20
Continue on Route 1
2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1
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21
Continue on Military Road
1649 ft · 40 sec · Military Road
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22
Continue on Main Street
2412 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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23
Turn left onto Benjamin Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Benjamin Street
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24
Continue on Presque Isle Road
2 mi · 3 min · Presque Isle Road
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25
Continue on Houlton Road
10.3 mi · 14 min · Houlton Road
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26
Continue on Main Street
1.3 mi · 4 min · Main Street
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27
Turn left onto State Street
1051 ft · 20 sec · State Street
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28
Turn right onto Parsons Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Parsons Street
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29
Continue on State Road
1014 ft · 17 sec · State Road
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30
Continue on Connector Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Connector Road
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31
Turn left onto Main Street
1778 ft · 54 sec · Main Street
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32
Continue on Caribou Road
5.1 mi · 7 min · Caribou Road
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33
Continue on Presque Isle Road
5.7 mi · 8 min · Presque Isle Road
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34
Turn left onto Lyndon Street
1364 ft · 38 sec · Lyndon Street
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35
Turn slight right onto Main Street
905 ft · 23 sec · Main Street
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36
Turn left
13 m · 3 sec
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sanford and Caribou.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Maine Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
198 mi · 03h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Sanford and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Caribou.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sanford to Caribou?
The road trip is about 333.2 miles (536.2 km) and usually takes 06h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Veazie is a useful midpoint, sitting about 166.5 miles from Sanford and 166.7 miles from Caribou.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 272 miles (437.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 61.2 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.39 one way or $92.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 104.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sanford and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Caribou.
Stop Ideas Near Veazie
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 Veazie.
Orono (University of Maine), Maine
Bangor, Maine
Searsport, Maine
Belfast, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Caribou. Straight-line distance: 271.99 mi (437.72 km).
#1 Sanford
City in York County, Maine, United States
| Population | 21,253 |
| Coordinates | 43.4392500, -70.7742200 |
| Altitude | 92 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Caribou
City in Maine
| Population | 7,622 |
| Coordinates | 46.8606000, -68.0119700 |
| Altitude | 137 |
| Country | United States |
End: Caribou (-68.01197, 46.8606)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 536 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $46.39 | $92.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $52.41 | $104.83 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $57.13 | $114.26 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $70.52 | $141.05 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.