How far is Sanford, ME from Lincoln, ME?

The driving distance from Sanford, ME to Lincoln, ME is about 210.2 miles (338.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 173.8 miles (279.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 59m 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
210.23 mi
03h 59m
Flight
173.77 mi
279.66 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
173.77 mi
Kilometers
279.66 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
210.23 mi
Kilometers
338.33 km
Drive Time
03h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lincoln
Mon, May 25, 12:53 PM EDT
Return by in Sanford
Mon, May 25, 4:52 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sanford
2026-05-25T08:53
Arrive Lincoln
Mon, May 25, 12:53 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT

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

Leave by
9:00 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

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
Oakland
ME

Town in Kennebec County in the U.

From Sanford
105 mi
01h 59m
To Lincoln
105.2 mi
01h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Memorial Day

Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph N
Destination
58°F
Memorial Day

Light Rain

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    124 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Maine Turnpike

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Lincoln, Lee, Mattawamkeag

    1352 ft · 38 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right

    68 m · 5 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Access Road

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Access Road

  17. 17

    Continue on River Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · River Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto West Broadway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · West Broadway

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Maine Turnpike
137 mi · 65%
Downtown Portland
52.5 mi · 25%
Alfred Road
8.23 mi · 4%
Access Road
2.62 mi · 1%
Sanford Road
2.39 mi · 1%
Biddeford Road
1.84 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Maine Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

124 mi · 02h 13m

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 59m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.4 mi
173.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oakland
01h 59m from Sanford
Leave By
9:00 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Sanford and Light Rain near Lincoln.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 210.2 miles (338.3 km) and usually takes 03h 59m 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?

Oakland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105 miles from Sanford and 105.2 miles from Lincoln.

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

The direct path is about 173.8 miles (279.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.4 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 9:00 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.27 one way or $58.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Oakland

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 Oakland and the surrounding midpoint area.
Waterville Opera House
Scenic stop 2.4 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
Sidney Town Hall
Meeting point 7.8 mi away

Sidney Town Hall

Sidney , ME
2986 Middle Rd, Sidney, ME 04330
Rating 4.9/5 10 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Augusta, ME

21 mi away
9 Industrial Drive
BUS

Waldoboro, Maine

56 mi away
US hwy 1 and hwy 32
BUS

Belfast, Maine

57 mi away
Belmont Ave & US Hwy 1
BUS

Damariscotta, Maine

58 mi away
167 Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Lincoln. Straight-line distance: 173.77 mi (279.66 km).

Sanford

#1 Sanford

City in York County, Maine, United States

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

#2 Lincoln

Town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States

Population4,882
Coordinates45.3622800, -68.5050200
Altitude67
CountryUnited States
Start: Sanford (-70.77422, 43.43925)
End: Lincoln (-68.50502, 45.36228)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 338 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 12m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.42 gal
28.08 L · about $29.27
Round trip
$58.54
14.84 gal · 56.16 L
Estimated CO2
65.9 kg one way
Round trip: 131.9 kg / 291 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $29.27 $58.54
Mid-grade $4.46 $33.07 $66.14
Premium $4.86 $36.05 $72.09
Diesel $6.00 $44.50 $89.00

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Sanford and Lincoln. The current time is 08:53:21.

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.