How far is South Sanford, ME from City of Portland, ME?

The driving distance from South Sanford, ME to City of Portland, ME is about 39.2 miles (63.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 33.1 miles (53.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 51m 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
39.21 mi
04h 55m
Flight
33.07 mi
53.22 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Sanford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
33.07 mi
Kilometers
53.22 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
39.21 mi
Kilometers
63.11 km
Drive Time
04h 55m

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 04h 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in City of Portland
Sun, Apr 19, 6:01 AM EDT
Return by in South Sanford
Sun, Apr 19, 10:57 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Sanford
2026-04-19T01:06
Arrive City of Portland
Sun, Apr 19, 6:01 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 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
7:08 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in South 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
Saco
ME

City in York County, Maine

From South Sanford
19.2 mi
02h 27m
To City of Portland
20 mi
02h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
City of Portland Weather
ME
Live fallback forecast
48°F
Sunday
Using Portland as the closest live forecast in the Cumberland County weather hub.

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between South Sanford and City of Portland.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Sanford and City of Portland.

  1. 1

    Start on South Sanford Circle

    89 m · 7 sec · South Sanford Circle

  2. 2

    Exit the rotary onto Alfred Street

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Alfred Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Jordan Springs Road

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Jordan Springs Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Biddeford Road

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Alfred Road

    8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Alfred Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Alfred Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left

    735 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 95 North Toll: Portland, Augusta

    1317 ft · 33 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

    12.2 mi · 13 min · Maine Turnpike

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Downtown Portland

    2.8 mi · 4 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Casco Bay Bridge, Portland, Waterfront

    1.2 km · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Blue Star Memorial Highway

    556 ft · 9 sec · Blue Star Memorial Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Veterans Memorial Bridge

    1953 ft · 35 sec · Veterans Memorial Bridge

  14. 14

    Continue on Fore River Parkway

    848 ft · 17 sec · Fore River Parkway

  15. 15

    Continue on West Commercial Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · West Commercial Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Maine State Pier

    668 ft · 29 sec · Maine State Pier

  17. 17

    Turn slight right

    57 m · 14 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto Portland - Peaks Island

    2.5 mi · 20 min · Portland - Peaks Island

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    65 m · 16 sec

  20. 20

    Continue on Welch Street

    1078 ft · 50 sec · Welch Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Oakland Avenue

    594 ft · 26 sec · Oakland Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn slight left onto Whitehead Street

    107 m · 15 sec · Whitehead Street

  23. 23

    Continue on Seashore Avenue

    1046 ft · 46 sec · Seashore Avenue

  24. 24

    Continue on Seashore Avenue

    3044 ft · 2 min · Seashore Avenue

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Seashore Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South Sanford and City of Portland.

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
25 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
63.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Maine Turnpike
12.2 mi · 31%
Alfred Road
8.23 mi · 21%
Alfred Street
3.89 mi · 10%
Downtown Portland
2.84 mi · 7%
Portland - Peaks Island
2.58 mi · 7%
Jordan Springs Road
2.07 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Maine Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

12.2 mi · 00h 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
04h 55m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.1 mi
33.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saco
02h 27m from South Sanford
Leave By
7:08 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving South Sanford and Rain Showers Likely near City of Portland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from South Sanford to City of Portland?

The road trip is about 39.2 miles (63.1 km) and usually takes 04h 55m 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?

Saco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.2 miles from South Sanford and 20 miles from City of Portland.

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

The direct path is about 33.1 miles (53.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 7:08 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.44 one way or $10.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around South Sanford and Rain Showers Likely near City of Portland.

Stop Ideas Near Saco

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

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

RAIL

Saco Transportation Center

1 mi away
130 Main Street
RAIL

Old Orchard Beach

6 mi away
11 First Street
RAIL

Portland Transportation Center

21 mi away
100 Thompson's Point Road
RAIL

Wells Regional Transportation Center

24 mi away
696 Sanford Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Sanford and City of Portland. Straight-line distance: 33.07 mi (53.22 km).

South Sanford

#1 South Sanford

Census-designated place in York County, Maine

Population4,536
Coordinates43.4111900, -70.7425600
Altitude86
CountryUnited States
City of Portland

#2 City of Portland

The twenty-eighth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Portland metropolitan area.

Population653,115
Coordinates43.6470800, -70.1682300
Altitude36
CountryUnited States
Start: ME 109 (-70.742644, 43.411223)
End: Seashore Avenue (-70.181795, 43.65347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 63 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.38 gal
5.24 L · about $5.44
Round trip
$10.89
2.76 gal · 10.48 L
Estimated CO2
12.3 kg one way
Round trip: 24.5 kg / 54 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $5.44 $10.89
Mid-grade $4.46 $6.15 $12.30
Premium $4.86 $6.70 $13.41
Diesel $6.00 $8.28 $16.55

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 South Sanford and City of Portland. The current time is 01:06:00.

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.