How far is Sanford, ME from Owls Head, ME?

The driving distance from Sanford, ME to Owls Head, ME is about 115.1 miles (185.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 96.5 miles (155.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 24m 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
115.15 mi
02h 42m
Flight
96.51 mi
155.32 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
96.51 mi
Kilometers
155.32 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
115.15 mi
Kilometers
185.31 km
Drive Time
02h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Owls Head
Tue, May 5, 6:53 AM EDT
Return by in Sanford
Tue, May 5, 9:35 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sanford
2026-05-05T04:11
Arrive Owls Head
Tue, May 5, 6:53 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:06 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
Topsham
ME

Town in Maine, United States

From Sanford
57.5 mi
01h 21m
To Owls Head
57.7 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW
Destination
Owls Head Weather
ME
Live fallback forecast
53°F
Tuesday
Using Rockland as the closest live forecast in the Knox County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sanford and Owls Head.

  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

    28.2 mi · 34 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Brunswick, Bath, Coastal Route

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Continue on Pleasant Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Pleasant Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Mill Street

    9.2 mi · 13 min · Mill Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Route 1

    4.9 mi · 7 min · Route 1

  18. 18

    Continue on Bath Road

    4 mi · 8 min · Bath Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Main Street

    2605 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  20. 20

    Continue on Route 1

    8.7 mi · 12 min · Route 1

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on Route 1

    5.4 mi · 8 min · Route 1

  22. 22

    Continue on Atlantic Highway

    13.4 mi · 18 min · Atlantic Highway

  23. 23

    Continue on Main Street

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  24. 24

    Continue on New County Road

    2.2 mi · 3 min · New County Road

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Pleasant Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Pleasant Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Broadway

    2011 ft · 1 min · Broadway

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Thomaston Street

    1273 ft · 37 sec · Thomaston Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2012 ft · 40 sec · Main Street

  29. 29

    Continue on Ingraham Lane

    2550 ft · 1 min · Ingraham Lane

  30. 30

    Continue on Ingraham Drive

    2323 ft · 1 min · Ingraham Drive

  31. 31

    Continue on Weskeag Road

    107 m · 11 sec · Weskeag Road

  32. 32

    Turn left onto North Shore Drive

    2.6 mi · 7 min · North Shore Drive

  33. 33

    Turn sharp left onto Main Street

    7 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  34. 34

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
34 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Downtown Portland
28.2 mi · 25%
Route 1
19 mi · 17%
Atlantic Highway
13.4 mi · 12%
Maine Turnpike
12.2 mi · 11%
Mill Street
9.16 mi · 8%
Alfred Road
8.23 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Downtown Portland

Keep slight right to continue on Downtown Portland

28.2 mi · 00h 34m

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 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.6 mi
96.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Topsham
01h 21m from Sanford
Leave By
1:06 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Sanford and Mostly Sunny near Owls Head.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sanford to Owls Head?

The road trip is about 115.1 miles (185.3 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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?

Topsham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.5 miles from Sanford and 57.7 miles from Owls Head.

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

The direct path is about 96.5 miles (155.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.6 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 1:06 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.02 one way or $32.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sanford and Mostly Sunny near Owls Head.

Stop Ideas Near Topsham

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

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

BUS

Brunswick Maine Street Station

4 mi away
101 Bath Rd.
RAIL

Freeport

13 mi away
36 Depot Street
BUS

Bath, Maine

13 mi away
10 State Rd
BUS

Wiscasset, Maine

24 mi away
279 Bath Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Owls Head. Straight-line distance: 96.51 mi (155.32 km).

Sanford

#1 Sanford

City in York County, Maine, United States

Population21,253
Coordinates43.4392500, -70.7742200
Altitude92
CountryUnited States
Owls Head

#2 Owls Head

City in United States of America

Population1,608
Coordinates44.0823000, -69.0572600
Altitude23
CountryUnited States
Start: Sanford (-70.77422, 43.43925)
End: Owls Head (-69.05726, 44.0823)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 185 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.06 gal
15.38 L · about $16.02
Round trip
$32.03
8.12 gal · 30.76 L
Estimated CO2
36.1 kg one way
Round trip: 72.2 kg / 159 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $16.02 $32.03
Mid-grade $4.46 $18.10 $36.19
Premium $4.86 $19.72 $39.45
Diesel $6.00 $24.35 $48.70

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

There is no time difference between Sanford and Owls Head. The current time is 04:11:21.

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.