How far is Sanford, ME from Vinalhaven, ME?

The driving distance from Sanford, ME to Vinalhaven, ME is about 129.2 miles (207.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.7 miles (170.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 39m 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
129.2 mi
03h 49m
Flight
105.7 mi
170.1 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
105.7 mi
Kilometers
170.1 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
129.2 mi
Kilometers
207.92 km
Drive Time
03h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Vinalhaven
Tue, May 5, 8:20 AM EDT
Return by in Sanford
Tue, May 5, 12:10 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sanford
2026-05-05T04:31
Arrive Vinalhaven
Tue, May 5, 8:20 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:50 AM to 11:50 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
9:20 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
Bath
ME

Town in Maine, United States

From Sanford
64.5 mi
01h 54m
To Vinalhaven
64.7 mi
01h 54m

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
Vinalhaven 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 Vinalhaven.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    Continue on Payne Avenue

    2052 ft · 44 sec · Payne Avenue

  26. 26

    Continue on Park Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · Park Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Main Street

    2006 ft · 32 sec · Main Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Ferry Crossing Crossing Slip

    117 m · 17 sec · Ferry Crossing Crossing Slip

  29. 29

    Continue on Ferry Crossing Crossing Slip

    36 m · 9 sec · Ferry Crossing Crossing Slip

  30. 30

    Turn straight onto Rockland/Vinalhaven Ferry

    17.1 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Rockland/Vinalhaven Ferry

  31. 31

    Continue on West Main Street

    84 m · 20 sec · West Main Street

  32. 32

    Turn right

    76 m · 18 sec

  33. 33

    Continue on West Main Street

    2673 ft · 1 min · West Main Street

  34. 34

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
34 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Downtown Portland
28.2 mi · 22%
Route 1
19 mi · 15%
Rockland/Vinalhaven Ferry
17.1 mi · 13%
Atlantic Highway
13.4 mi · 10%
Maine Turnpike
12.2 mi · 9%
Mill Street
9.16 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 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 49m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.5 mi
105.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bath
01h 54m from Sanford
Leave By
9:20 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Sanford and Mostly Sunny near Vinalhaven.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 129.2 miles (207.9 km) and usually takes 03h 49m 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?

Bath is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.5 miles from Sanford and 64.7 miles from Vinalhaven.

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

The direct path is about 105.7 miles (170.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.5 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 9:20 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.99 one way or $35.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Bath

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

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

BUS

Bath, Maine

10 State Rd
BUS

Brunswick Maine Street Station

9 mi away
101 Bath Rd.
BUS

Wiscasset, Maine

14 mi away
279 Bath Rd.
RAIL

Freeport

23 mi away
36 Depot Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Vinalhaven. Straight-line distance: 105.7 mi (170.1 km).

Sanford

#1 Sanford

City in York County, Maine, United States

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

#2 Vinalhaven

City in Maine, United States of America

Population1,128
Coordinates44.0481400, -68.8317000
Altitude8
CountryUnited States
Start: Sanford (-70.77422, 43.43925)
End: Vinalhaven (-68.8317, 44.04814)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 208 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.56 gal
17.26 L · about $17.99
Round trip
$35.98
9.12 gal · 34.52 L
Estimated CO2
40.5 kg one way
Round trip: 81 kg / 179 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $17.99 $35.98
Mid-grade $4.46 $20.32 $40.65
Premium $4.86 $22.15 $44.30
Diesel $6.00 $27.35 $54.69

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 Vinalhaven. The current time is 04:31:17.

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.