How far is Sanford, ME from Chelsea, ME?
The driving distance from Sanford, ME to Chelsea, ME is about 86.2 miles (138.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.9 miles (123.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 34m 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 47m.
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.
Census-designated place in Cumberland County, Maine
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sanford and Chelsea.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford and Chelsea.
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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
51.3 mi · 59 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner
1774 ft · 50 sec
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14
Turn right onto Lewiston Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Lewiston Road
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15
Continue on Cobbossee Avenue
1.1 km · 60 sec · Cobbossee Avenue
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16
Continue on Lewiston Road
642 ft · 11 sec · Lewiston Road
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17
Continue on Central Street
916 ft · 15 sec · Central Street
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18
Turn straight onto Water Street
1.4 km · 1 min · Water Street
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19
Turn left onto Bridge Street
2616 ft · 49 sec · Bridge Street
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20
At the end of the road, turn right onto Water Street
974 ft · 34 sec · Water Street
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21
Turn left onto Windsor Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · Windsor Street
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22
Continue on Togus Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Togus Road
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23
Turn sharp left onto Hankerson Road
17 m · 2 sec · Hankerson Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hankerson Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sanford and Chelsea.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Downtown Portland
Keep slight right to continue on Downtown Portland
51.3 mi · 00h 59m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Sanford and Sunny near Chelsea.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sanford to Chelsea?
The road trip is about 86.2 miles (138.7 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?
Yarmouth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.1 miles from Sanford and 43.1 miles from Chelsea.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.9 miles (123.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.3 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 2:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.30 one way or $26.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sanford and Sunny near Chelsea.
Stop Ideas Near Yarmouth
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 Yarmouth.
Freeport
Portland Transportation Center
Brunswick Maine Street Station
Bath, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Chelsea. Straight-line distance: 76.91 mi (123.77 km).
#1 Sanford
City in York County, Maine, United States
| Population | 21,253 |
| Coordinates | 43.4392500, -70.7742200 |
| Altitude | 92 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chelsea
Town in Maine, US
| Population | 2,753 |
| Coordinates | 44.2503500, -69.7172700 |
| Altitude | 55 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chelsea (-69.71727, 44.25035)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 139 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.38 | $13.30 | $26.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.93 | $14.97 | $29.94 |
| Premium | $5.41 | $16.45 | $32.89 |
| Diesel | $6.44 | $19.56 | $39.12 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026