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Trip from Benton, ME to Sanford, ME

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

113.6 mi

183 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 9m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Benton, ME, ME

Benton, ME

PhotoShoot Studio | Candid, Birthday Pre Wedding, Baby, Maternity & Child Photographer in Pune Ps Studio

Downtown Sanford, ME, ME

Sanford, ME

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Benton, ME to Sanford, ME covers 113.6 miles and takes about 2h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 295, I 95, Maine Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 53.2 miles on I 295. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.29 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

56.8 miles from Benton, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 113.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 18m highway drive covering 113.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 295 and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 53.2 miles on I 295.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 295 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and I 95. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ME 11; ME 100; ME 139 / Clinton Avenue.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 113.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (ME 11; ME 100; ME 139 / Clinton Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 32.8 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.3 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | ME 11; ME 100; ME 139 / Clinton Avenue

Turn left onto ME 11; ME 100; ME 139 / Clinton Avenue

Navigation decision point

9
32.8 mi into trip | ~40m in | I 295

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Exit 103 Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Bru...
4
83.3 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | I 295

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
97.5 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in

Take the exit toward ME 111: Biddeford

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 32 Toward ME 111: Biddeford
4
98.2 mi into trip | ~1h 57m in | ME 111 / Alfred Street

Turn right onto ME 111 / Alfred Street

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Benton, ME to Sanford, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.

Brunswick

32.8 mi in | ~40m | via I 295

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 295 53.2 mi 1h 2m
I 95 29.1 mi 31m
Maine Turnpike 11.6 mi 12m
Alfred Road 8.2 mi 9m
Sanford Road 2.4 mi 3m
Biddeford Road 1.8 mi 2m
Neck Road 1.7 mi 3m
Alfred Street 1.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 295 — 53.2 mi, about 1h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Benton, ME and Sanford, ME.

1

Start on ME 139

64 ft · 6 sec · Sebasticook Bridge Road
2

Turn left onto ME 11; ME 100; ME 139

299 ft · 7 sec · Clinton Avenue
3

Turn slight right onto ME 11; ME 100; ME 139

1.7 mi · 3 min · Neck Road
4

Continue on ME 11; ME 100; ME 139

0.4 mi · 1 min · Bridge Street
5

Turn right onto US 201; ME 139

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Main Street
6

Turn left onto ME 139

1.1 mi · 2 min · Western Avenue
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
8

Merge onto I 95

29 mi · 31 min · I 95
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295

51 mi · 58 min · I 295
Exit 103 Toward I 295 South, ME 9, ME 126: Gardiner, Brunswick Use the straight lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

2.6 mi · 3 min · I 295
11

Merge onto I 95

12 mi · 12 min · Maine Turnpike
12

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 32 Toward ME 111: Biddeford
13

Turn right onto ME 111

1.4 mi · 1 min · Alfred Street
14

Continue on ME 111

8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road
15

Continue on ME 111

1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road
16

Continue on US 202; ME 4A

2.4 mi · 3 min · Sanford Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17

Continue on US 202; ME 4A

1.2 mi · 3 min · Cottage Street
18

Turn left onto River Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · River Street
19

Continue on Washington Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Washington Street
20

Turn left

89 ft · 6 sec
21

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.8 miles from Benton, ME, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.2 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 25 miles or 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 56.8 miles or 1h 8m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sanford, ME than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Benton, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Benton, ME

This is one driving day of about 113.6 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Benton, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 53.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56.8 mi from Benton, ME · 1h 8m into the drive

seat of Cumberland County, and largest city in State of Maine, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Portland, ME

57 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Portland, ME to Sanford, ME

34.4 mi · 46m

Pacing Suggestions

Augusta, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Yarmouth, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.8 miles from Benton, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Sanford, ME

The final approach into Sanford, ME usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Sanford, ME.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Thai With Us

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Augusta, Maine

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 24.4

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12074801121

Visit website

Ming Lee Chinese Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Waterville, Maine

2.3 mi

Villager Family Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Waterville, Maine

2.2 mi

Thai With Us

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 24.4

Augusta, Maine

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12074801121

Visit website

Ming Lee Chinese Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.1

Waterville, Maine

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12078732828

Visit website

Villager Family Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 8.1

Waterville, Maine

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12078726231

The Escape Room

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 81.2

Portland, Maine

Hours: 12–8:15 pm

+12076193775

Visit website

Maine Military Museum & Learning Center

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 81.2

South Portland, Maine

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+12077678227

Visit website

Maine Day Ventures/ formerly Maine Foodie Tours

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 81.2

Portland, Maine

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12072337485

Visit website

Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 81.2

Portland, Maine

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12077741822

Visit website

Portland Observatory

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 81.2

Portland, Maine

+12072531800

Visit website

Old Port Historic Tours

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 81.2

Portland, Maine

Hours: 8:30 am–5:30 pm

+12078070009

Visit website

Maine Escape Games

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 81.2

South Portland, Maine

Hours: 1–7 pm

+12072746007

Visit website

Old Fort Western

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 24.4

Augusta, Maine

+12076262385

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Frances Perkins National Monument

Frances Perkins National Monument

National Monument

Known as the first woman to hold a presidential cabinet position and the “Woman behind the New Deal,” Frances Perkins championed many labor rights that Americans enjoy today, including safety standard...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free near mile 43.1
Park Closure: For Current Visitor Information
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.29 one way

$36.58 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $20.12 $40.24
premium $4.86 $21.75 $43.51
diesel $5.61 $25.08 $50.16

Estimated Tolls: $0.70

Maine Turnpike (11.6 mi) $0.70

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.1 0 $11.93 $5.45
Efficient EV 28.4 0 $9.94 $4.54
EV Truck/SUV 45.4 0 $15.90 $7.27

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (68% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Benton, ME

Late night in Benton on Friday

Local time

2:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

35°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sanford, ME

Late night in Sanford on Friday

Local time

2:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

51°F

Portland, ME

57 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

16 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 18m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Benton, ME to Sanford, ME covers 113.6 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 295, I 95, Maine Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.8 miles from Benton, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.29 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 113.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ME 11; ME 100; ME 139 / Clinton Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 32.8 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.3 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Benton, ME to Sanford, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Brunswick along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Frances Perkins National Monument.

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