How far is Sanford, ME from Van Buren, ME?
The driving distance from Sanford, ME to Van Buren, ME is about 355.7 miles (572.5 km), with a travel time of about 07h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 291.5 miles (469.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 02m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Penobscot County, Maine, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sanford and Van Buren.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford and Van Buren.
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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
1444 ft · 43 sec
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15
Turn left onto North Street
3.2 mi · 6 min · North Street
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16
Continue on North Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
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17
Continue on US Highway 1
1.1 km · 55 sec · US Highway 1
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18
Continue on Route 1
6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1
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19
Continue on Main Road
6.7 mi · 11 min · Main Road
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20
Continue on Route 1
2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1
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21
Continue on Military Road
1649 ft · 40 sec · Military Road
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22
Continue on Main Street
3090 ft · 2 min · Main Street
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23
Turn straight onto Bridge Street
547 ft · 9 sec · Bridge Street
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24
Continue on Fort Street
5.8 mi · 9 min · Fort Street
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25
Continue on Houlton Road
12 mi · 18 min · Houlton Road
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26
Continue on Presque Isle Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Presque Isle Street
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27
Continue on Bridge Street
1072 ft · 20 sec · Bridge Street
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28
Continue on Limestone Road
8.4 mi · 12 min · Limestone Road
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29
Continue on Fort Fairfield Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Fort Fairfield Road
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30
Continue on Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · Main Street
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31
Continue on Van Buren Road
11.4 mi · 17 min · Van Buren Road
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32
Continue on Hamlin Road
9.2 mi · 15 min · Hamlin Road
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33
Turn right
19 m · 5 sec
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sanford and Van Buren.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Light Rain leaving Sanford and Partly Sunny near Van Buren.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sanford to Van Buren?
The road trip is about 355.7 miles (572.5 km) and usually takes 07h 02m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Alton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 177.8 miles from Sanford and 178 miles from Van Buren.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 291.5 miles (469.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 64.2 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.51 one way or $99.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 111.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain around Sanford and Partly Sunny near Van Buren.
Stop Ideas Near Alton
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 Alton.
Orono (University of Maine), Maine
Bangor, Maine
Searsport, Maine
Belfast, Maine
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Van Buren. Straight-line distance: 291.55 mi (469.2 km).
#1 Sanford
City in York County, Maine, United States
| Population | 21,253 |
| Coordinates | 43.4392500, -70.7742200 |
| Altitude | 92 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Van Buren
Town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States
| Population | 1,983 |
| Coordinates | 47.1572700, -67.9353000 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
End: Van Buren (-67.9353, 47.15727)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 572 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $49.51 | $99.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $55.94 | $111.87 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $60.97 | $121.94 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $75.26 | $150.52 |
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.