How far is Sanford, ME from Dexter, ME?

The driving distance from Sanford, ME to Dexter, ME is about 149 miles (239.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 131.9 miles (212.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m 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
149.02 mi
02h 58m
Flight
131.86 mi
212.21 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
131.86 mi
Kilometers
212.21 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
149.02 mi
Kilometers
239.82 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dexter
Sat, May 2, 7:53 AM EDT
Return by in Sanford
Sat, May 2, 10:52 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sanford
2026-05-02T04:54
Arrive Dexter
Sat, May 2, 7:53 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:59 AM to 12:59 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:32 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
Richmond
ME

Town in Maine, United States of America

From Sanford
74.4 mi
01h 29m
To Dexter
74.6 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph W
Destination
55°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    53.6 mi · 58 min · Maine Turnpike

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward ME 11, ME 100: Newport, Dexter

    1611 ft · 46 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    34 m · 7 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Ox Bow Road

    2725 ft · 1 min · Ox Bow Road

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Moosehead Trail

    37 m · 2 sec · Moosehead Trail

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout onto Moosehead Trail

    4.7 mi · 7 min · Moosehead Trail

  19. 19

    Continue on Newport Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Newport Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Dexter Road

    5.9 mi · 9 min · Dexter Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Corinna Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Corinna Road

  22. 22

    Continue on Spring Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Spring Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Spring Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
23 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Maine Turnpike
65.7 mi · 44%
Downtown Portland
52.5 mi · 35%
Alfred Road
8.23 mi · 6%
Dexter Road
5.85 mi · 4%
Moosehead Trail
4.71 mi · 3%
Sanford Road
2.39 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Maine Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

53.6 mi · 00h 58m

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 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.1 mi
131.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Richmond
01h 29m from Sanford
Leave By
12:32 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Sanford and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Dexter.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 149 miles (239.8 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?

Richmond is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.4 miles from Sanford and 74.6 miles from Dexter.

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

The direct path is about 131.9 miles (212.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 12:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.75 one way or $41.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sanford and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Dexter.

Stop Ideas Near Richmond

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Richmond, 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 Richmond.

BUS

Wiscasset, Maine

14 mi away
279 Bath Rd.
BUS

Bath, Maine

19 mi away
10 State Rd
BUS

Damariscotta, Maine

22 mi away
167 Main St.
BUS

Brunswick Maine Street Station

23 mi away
101 Bath Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Dexter. Straight-line distance: 131.86 mi (212.21 km).

Sanford

#1 Sanford

City in York County, Maine, United States

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

#2 Dexter

Town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States

Population3,702
Coordinates45.0239500, -69.2897700
Altitude127
CountryUnited States
Start: Sanford (-70.77422, 43.43925)
End: Dexter (-69.28977, 45.02395)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 240 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.26 gal
19.91 L · about $20.75
Round trip
$41.50
10.52 gal · 39.82 L
Estimated CO2
46.7 kg one way
Round trip: 93.5 kg / 206 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $20.75 $41.50
Mid-grade $4.46 $23.44 $46.89
Premium $4.86 $25.55 $51.11
Diesel $6.00 $31.54 $63.09

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Sanford and Dexter. The current time is 04:54:54.

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.