How far is Van Buren, ME from Sanford, ME?
The driving distance from Van Buren, ME to Sanford, ME is about 355.4 miles (571.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 291.5 miles (469.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 52m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Partly Sunny
Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Van Buren and Sanford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Van Buren and Sanford.
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1
Start on the route
19 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
9.2 mi · 15 min · Main Street
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3
Continue on Van Buren Road
11.4 mi · 17 min · Van Buren Road
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4
Continue on Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · Main Street
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5
Continue on Fort Fairfield Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Fort Fairfield Road
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6
Continue on East Limestone Road
8.4 mi · 12 min · East Limestone Road
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7
Continue on Bridge Street
990 ft · 19 sec · Bridge Street
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8
Continue on Presque Isle Street
1.6 km · 1 min · Presque Isle Street
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9
Continue on Houlton Road
12 mi · 18 min · Houlton Road
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10
Continue on Fort Road
5.8 mi · 9 min · Fort Road
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11
Continue on Bridge Street
547 ft · 9 sec · Bridge Street
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12
Continue on Main Street
3090 ft · 2 min · Main Street
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13
Continue on Military Road
1649 ft · 40 sec · Military Road
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14
Continue on Route 1
2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1
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15
Continue on Main Road
6.7 mi · 11 min · Main Road
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16
Continue on Route 1
6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1
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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 North Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road
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19
Continue on North Street
3.1 mi · 6 min · North Street
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20
Take the exit right
1588 ft · 39 sec
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21
Merge slight left
198.2 mi · 3 hr 27 min
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick
50.5 mi · 59 min
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23
Keep slight left
2.6 mi · 4 min
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24
Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike
11.6 mi · 12 min · Maine Turnpike
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25
Take the exit slight right toward ME 111: Biddeford
1.2 km · 2 min
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26
Turn right onto Alfred Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Alfred Street
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27
Continue on Alfred Road
8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road
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28
Continue on Biddeford Road
1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road
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29
Continue on Sanford Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Sanford Road
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30
Continue on Cottage Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · Cottage Street
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31
Turn left onto River Street
872 ft · 26 sec · River Street
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32
Continue on Washington Street
763 ft · 25 sec · Washington Street
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33
Turn left
27 m · 7 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 Van Buren and Sanford.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
North Street
Merge slight left
198 mi · 03h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Van Buren and Light Rain near Sanford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Van Buren to Sanford?
The road trip is about 355.4 miles (571.9 km) and usually takes 05h 52m 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?
Alton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 177.8 miles from Van Buren and 177.5 miles from Sanford.
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 63.9 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 5:16 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.47 one way or $98.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 111.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Van Buren and Light Rain near Sanford.
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 Van Buren and Sanford. Straight-line distance: 291.55 mi (469.2 km).
#1 Van Buren
Town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States
| Population | 1,983 |
| Coordinates | 47.1572700, -67.9353000 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sanford
City in York County, Maine, United States
| Population | 21,253 |
| Coordinates | 43.4392500, -70.7742200 |
| Altitude | 92 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-70.77414, 43.439348)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 572 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 50m |
| 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 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $49.47 | $98.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $55.89 | $111.78 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $60.92 | $121.84 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $75.20 | $150.40 |
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.