How far is Sanford, ME from Ellsworth, ME?
The driving distance from Sanford, ME to Ellsworth, ME is about 187.7 miles (302 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139.7 miles (224.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 03h 09m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
County seat in Kennebec County, Maine, USA and Maine federated state capital city
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sanford and Ellsworth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford and Ellsworth.
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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
9.8 mi · 11 min · Maine Turnpike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
767 ft · 26 sec
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15
Keep slight right
834 ft · 20 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Augusta Bypass
2.5 mi · 4 min · Augusta Bypass
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17
Continue on North Belfast Avenue
8.1 mi · 12 min · North Belfast Avenue
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18
Continue on Belfast Road
1077 ft · 17 sec · Belfast Road
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19
Continue on Route 3
17.6 mi · 21 min · Route 3
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20
Continue on Acadia Highway
4 mi · 4 min · Acadia Highway
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21
Continue on Belfast Augusta Road West
3.4 mi · 4 min · Belfast Augusta Road West
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22
Continue on Augusta Road
4.8 mi · 5 min · Augusta Road
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23
Continue on Belmont Avenue
4 mi · 5 min · Belmont Avenue
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24
Take the exit left
1586 ft · 44 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto Route 1
1.1 km · 1 min · Route 1
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26
Continue on Searsport Avenue
2.7 mi · 5 min · Searsport Avenue
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27
Continue on West Main Street
7 mi · 8 min · West Main Street
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28
Keep slight right to continue on East Main Street
6.3 mi · 8 min · East Main Street
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29
Continue on US Highway 1
1.2 mi · 3 min · US Highway 1
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30
Continue on Route 1
155 m · 12 sec · Route 1
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31
Continue on Route 1
1 mi · 1 min · Route 1
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32
Continue on Acadia Highway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Acadia Highway
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33
Continue on Bucksport Road
8.5 mi · 10 min · Bucksport Road
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34
Continue on West Main Street
2788 ft · 45 sec · West Main Street
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sanford and Ellsworth.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Downtown Portland
Keep slight right to continue on Downtown Portland
52.5 mi · 01h 01m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Sanford and Mostly Sunny near Ellsworth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sanford to Ellsworth?
The road trip is about 187.7 miles (302 km) and usually takes 03h 09m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Augusta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.3 miles from Sanford and 101.3 miles from Ellsworth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 139.7 miles (224.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 48 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:40 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.12 one way or $52.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sanford and Mostly Sunny near Ellsworth.
Stop Ideas Near Augusta
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 Augusta.
Augusta, ME
Wiscasset, Maine
Damariscotta, Maine
Waldoboro, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Ellsworth. Straight-line distance: 139.71 mi (224.84 km).
#1 Sanford
City in York County, Maine, United States
| Population | 21,253 |
| Coordinates | 43.4392500, -70.7742200 |
| Altitude | 92 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ellsworth
City in Maine
| Population | 8,249 |
| Coordinates | 44.5434100, -68.4194600 |
| Altitude | 33 |
| Country | United States |
End: Main Street (-68.419362, 44.543292)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 302 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $26.12 | $52.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $29.51 | $59.01 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $32.16 | $64.32 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $39.70 | $79.40 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.