How far is Sanford, ME from Howland, ME?

The driving distance from Sanford, ME to Howland, ME is about 194.6 miles (313.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162.2 miles (261.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
194.58 mi
03h 40m
Flight
162.27 mi
261.15 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sanford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
162.27 mi
Kilometers
261.15 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
194.58 mi
Kilometers
313.14 km
Drive Time
03h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Howland
Sun, Apr 19, 11:16 AM EDT
Return by in Sanford
Sun, Apr 19, 2:57 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sanford
2026-04-19T07:35
Arrive Howland
Sun, Apr 19, 11:16 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:38 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sanford
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Sidney
ME

Town in Maine, United States

From Sanford
97.2 mi
01h 50m
To Howland
97.4 mi
01h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
53°F
Sunday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    113.3 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Maine Turnpike

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward ME 6, ME 155: Howland, Lagrange

    1272 ft · 36 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right

    87 m · 7 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto LaGrange Road

    2859 ft · 57 sec · LaGrange Road

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · LaGrange Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Maine Turnpike
125 mi · 64%
Downtown Portland
52.5 mi · 27%
Alfred Road
8.23 mi · 4%
Sanford Road
2.39 mi · 1%
Biddeford Road
1.84 mi · 1%
Alfred Street
1.51 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Maine Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

113 mi · 02h 02m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 40m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.4 mi
162.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sidney
01h 50m from Sanford
Leave By
9:38 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Sanford and Light Rain Likely near Howland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 194.6 miles (313.1 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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?

Sidney is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.2 miles from Sanford and 97.4 miles from Howland.

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

The direct path is about 162.2 miles (261.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.4 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 9:38 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.10 one way or $54.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Sanford and Light Rain Likely near Howland.

Stop Ideas Near Sidney

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Sidney and the surrounding midpoint area.
Waterville Opera House
Scenic stop 8.7 mi away

Waterville Opera House

Waterville , ME
1 Common St, Waterville, ME 04901
Rating 4.7/5 291 reviews Opera house,Comedy club,Concert hall,Historical landmark,Performing arts theater
Augusta City Hall
Meeting point 9.1 mi away

Augusta City Hall

Augusta , ME
16 Cony St, Augusta, ME 04330
Rating 4.1/5 22 reviews City Hall
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 9 mi away

Inn At City Hall

Augusta , ME
1 Cony St, Augusta, ME 04330
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Retirement home

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sidney.

BUS

Augusta, ME

8 mi away
9 Industrial Drive
BUS

Waldoboro, Maine

44 mi away
US hwy 1 and hwy 32
BUS

Damariscotta, Maine

45 mi away
167 Main St.
BUS

Wiscasset, Maine

47 mi away
279 Bath Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Howland. Straight-line distance: 162.27 mi (261.15 km).

Sanford

#1 Sanford

City in York County, Maine, United States

Population21,253
Coordinates43.4392500, -70.7742200
Altitude92
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Howland

City in Penobscot County, Maine, United States of America

Population1,171
Coordinates45.2386700, -68.6636400
Altitude51
CountryUnited States
Start: Sanford (-70.77422, 43.43925)
End: Howland (-68.66364, 45.23867)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 313 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.87 gal
25.99 L · about $27.10
Round trip
$54.20
13.74 gal · 51.98 L
Estimated CO2
61.1 kg one way
Round trip: 122.1 kg / 269 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $27.10 $54.20
Mid-grade $4.46 $30.62 $61.24
Premium $4.86 $33.37 $66.75
Diesel $6.00 $41.20 $82.40

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 · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Sanford and Howland. The current time is 07:35:56.

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.