Origin
Lovell, ME
Afternoon in Lovell on Saturday
Local time
2:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lovell, ME to Sanford, ME
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
61.5 mi
99 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lovell, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Sanford, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lovell, ME to Sanford, ME is 61.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 45 minutes via Pequawket Trail, Main Street, and Sokokis Trail South, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward trip stays within Maine, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a local, turn-heavy drive that makes for a relaxed pace. It's a manageable distance, ideal for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
30.8 miles from Lovell, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pequawket Trail | 14.2 mi | 21m |
| Main Street | 10.2 mi | 19m |
| Sokokis Trail South | 9.5 mi | 16m |
| Sokokis Trail | 8.6 mi | 13m |
| Portland Street | 4 mi | 6m |
| Lovell Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Maine Street | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Waterboro Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Pequawket Trail
— 14.2 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lovell, ME and Sanford, ME.
1
Start on Main Street
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Main Street
2
Continue on ME 5
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Lovell Road
3
Continue on Maine Street
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Maine Street
4
Continue on ME 5
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
5
Turn left onto ME 5; ME 113
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Portland Street
6
Continue on ME 5; ME 113
14 mi
·
21 min
·
Pequawket Trail
7
Turn right onto ME 5; ME 117
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Depot Road
8
Continue on ME 5; ME 117
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Cumberland Street
9
Turn slight left onto ME 117
485 ft
·
11 sec
·
Grange Hall Road
10
Turn right onto ME 25
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
11
Continue on ME 5; ME 25
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Maple Street
12
Turn left onto ME 5
135 ft
·
2 sec
·
Limerick Road
13
Continue on ME 5
8.6 mi
·
13 min
·
Sokokis Trail
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Cannon Hill Road
204 ft
·
7 sec
·
Cannon Hill Road
15
Continue on ME 5
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
16
Continue on ME 5
9.5 mi
·
16 min
·
Sokokis Trail South
17
Turn right onto US 202; ME 4
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Main Street
18
Continue on US 202; ME 4
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Waterboro Road
19
Continue on US 202; ME 4
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Oak Street
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 202; ME 4A
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Sanford Road
21
Continue on US 202; ME 4A
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Cottage Street
22
Turn left onto River Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
River Street
23
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Washington Street
24
Turn left
89 ft
·
6 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour 45 minute duration and 61.5 mile distance, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to enjoy the full day at your destination in Sanford. With a fuel cost estimated around $10, filling up before you leave Lovell is likely sufficient. Keep an eye out for the various turns that define this route; they are frequent and will require your attention, especially the segment on Pequawket Trail which is the longest stretch without a turn.
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 30.8 miles from Lovell, ME, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.2 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 14 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.8 miles or 53m 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 28m
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 Lovell, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lovell, ME
This is one driving day of about 61.5 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Lovell, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pequawket Trail for about 14.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.8 miles from Lovell, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 9.7 and 61.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
9.7 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
ME 5; ME 113 / Portland Street
Turn left onto ME 5; ME 113 / Portland Street
Navigation decision point
4
27.9 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
ME 5; ME 117 / Depot Road
Turn right onto ME 5; ME 117 / Depot Road
Navigation decision point
4
39.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
Cannon Hill Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Cannon Hill Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
57.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
|
US 202; ME 4A / Sanford Road
Keep slight right at fork onto US 202; ME 4A / Sanford Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
61.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.90 one way
$19.80 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $10.89 | $21.79 |
| premium | $4.86 | $11.78 | $23.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.58 | $27.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.46 | $2.95 |
| Efficient EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.38 | $2.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.61 | $3.94 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Sanford, ME
Afternoon in Sanford on Saturday
Local time
2:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 45m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a turn-heavy local drive with no highway miles. You'll navigate through towns and rural areas, with your longest uninterrupted stretch being 14.2 miles along Pequawket Trail. The roads, including Main Street and Sokokis Trail South, are primarily local thoroughfares, meaning you'll be encountering more intersections and varied speed limits than on a highway. The overall character is one of steady, consistent travel through communities rather than high-speed transit.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.2 mi on Pequawket Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 9.7 miles in near ME 5; ME 113 / Portland Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 61.5 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 9.7 miles (ME 5; ME 113 / Portland Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.9 miles (ME 5; ME 117 / Depot Road): Navigation decision point; at 39.2 miles (Cannon Hill Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Arriving in Sanford, ME
Full guide →Sanford is a small town is southern Maine. It includes the village of Springvale.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 61.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.2 miles on Pequawket Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through ME can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.7 miles (ME 5; ME 113 / Portland Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.9 miles (ME 5; ME 117 / Depot Road): Navigation decision point; at 39.2 miles (Cannon Hill Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sanford, ME before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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