How far is Sanford, ME from Houlton, ME?
The driving distance from Sanford, ME to Houlton, ME is about 280.1 miles (450.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 234.8 miles (377.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 13m 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 05h 06m.
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.
Town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sanford and Houlton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford and Houlton.
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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
1337 ft · 38 sec
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15
Turn slight right
54 m · 4 sec
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16
Turn straight onto North Street
1.5 km · 2 min · North Street
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17
Turn left onto Union Square
51 m · 5 sec · Union Square
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18
Continue on Market Square
120 m · 17 sec · Market Square
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19
Continue on Market Square
70 m · 8 sec · Market Square
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20
Turn right
41 m · 10 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sanford and Houlton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Light Rain leaving Sanford and Mostly Cloudy near Houlton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sanford to Houlton?
The road trip is about 280.1 miles (450.8 km) and usually takes 05h 06m 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?
Plymouth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140 miles from Sanford and 140.2 miles from Houlton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 234.8 miles (377.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.02 one way or $78.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain around Sanford and Mostly Cloudy near Houlton.
Stop Ideas Near Plymouth
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 Plymouth.
Bangor, Maine
Belfast, Maine
Searsport, Maine
Orono (University of Maine), Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Houlton. Straight-line distance: 234.84 mi (377.94 km).
#1 Sanford
City in York County, Maine, United States
| Population | 21,253 |
| Coordinates | 43.4392500, -70.7742200 |
| Altitude | 92 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Houlton
Town in Maine, USA
| Population | 5,766 |
| Coordinates | 46.1261600, -67.8403000 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Houlton (-67.8403, 46.12616)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 451 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $39.02 | $78.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $44.08 | $88.16 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $48.05 | $96.09 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $59.31 | $118.62 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.