Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Richmond, 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 37m

Distance

75.5 mi

122 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 30m ★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 43m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 33m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Richmond, ME, ME

Richmond, ME

Tnarg

Downtown Sanford, ME, ME

Sanford, ME

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Richmond, ME to Sanford, ME covers 75.5 miles and takes about 1h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 295, Maine Turnpike, Alfred Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 43.6 miles on I 295. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.15 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

37.8 miles from Richmond, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 75.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 37m highway drive covering 75.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 43.6 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 18 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 43.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.

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 75.5 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: at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (ME 24 / Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (ME 197 / Main Street): Navigation decision point.

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
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | ME 24 / Front Street

Turn right onto ME 24 / Front Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | ME 197 / Main Street

Turn left onto ME 197 / Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
4.2 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 295

Merge onto I 295

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
59.4 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in

Take the exit toward ME 111: Biddeford

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 32 Toward ME 111: Biddeford

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 295 43.6 mi 51m
Maine Turnpike 11.6 mi 12m
Alfred Road 8.2 mi 9m
Main Street 3.7 mi 8m
Sanford Road 2.4 mi 3m
Biddeford Road 1.8 mi 2m
Alfred Street 1.4 mi 1m
Cottage Street 1.2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 295 — 43.6 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

283 ft · 22 sec · this road
2

Turn right

54 ft · 5 sec
3

Turn right onto ME 24

294 ft · 13 sec · Front Street
4

Turn left onto ME 197

3.7 mi · 8 min · Main Street
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec
6

Merge onto I 295

41 mi · 48 min · I 295
Use the straight lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

2.6 mi · 3 min · I 295
8

Merge onto I 95

12 mi · 12 min · Maine Turnpike
9

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 32 Toward ME 111: Biddeford
10

Turn right onto ME 111

1.4 mi · 1 min · Alfred Street
11

Continue on ME 111

8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road
12

Continue on ME 111

1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road
13

Continue on US 202; ME 4A

2.4 mi · 3 min · Sanford Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
14

Continue on US 202; ME 4A

1.2 mi · 3 min · Cottage Street
15

Turn left onto River Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · River Street
16

Continue on Washington Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Washington Street
17

Turn left

89 ft · 6 sec
18

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 37.8 miles from Richmond, ME, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.6 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 17 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 37.8 miles or 49m 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 21m

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 Richmond, ME so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Richmond, ME

This is one driving day of about 75.5 miles and 1h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Richmond, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 43.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 37.8 mi from Richmond, ME · 49m into the drive

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Portland, ME

38 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

Freeport, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Portland, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.8 miles from Richmond, 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.

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

Nom Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Portland, Maine

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 43.2

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+12076139332

Visit website

Freeport Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Freeport, Maine

2.1 mi

Nom Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 43.2

Portland, Maine

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+12076139332

Visit website

Freeport Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27

Freeport, Maine

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12078695113

Visit website

The Escape Room

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 43.2

Portland, Maine

Hours: 12–8:15 pm

+12076193775

Visit website

Maine Military Museum & Learning Center

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 43.2

South Portland, Maine

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+12077678227

Visit website

Maine Day Ventures/ formerly Maine Foodie Tours

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 43.2

Portland, Maine

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12072337485

Visit website

Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 43.2

Portland, Maine

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12077741822

Visit website

Maine Escape Games

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 48.6

South Portland, Maine

Hours: 1–7 pm

+12072746007

Visit website

Portland Observatory

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 43.2

Portland, Maine

+12072531800

Visit website

Old Port Historic Tours

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 43.2

Portland, Maine

Hours: 8:30 am–5:30 pm

+12078070009

Visit website

Eartha Globe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 32.4

Yarmouth, Maine

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

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...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free
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

$12.15 one way

$24.31 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $13.37 $26.75
premium $4.86 $14.46 $28.92
diesel $5.61 $16.67 $33.34

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

$12

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.7 0 $7.93 $3.62
Efficient EV 18.9 0 $6.61 $3.02
EV Truck/SUV 30.2 0 $10.57 $4.83

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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

Richmond, ME

Night in Richmond on Friday

Local time

9:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

35°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sanford, ME

Night in Sanford on Friday

Local time

9:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

51°F

Portland, ME

38 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

1h 37m 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 Richmond, ME to Sanford, ME covers 75.5 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 295, Maine Turnpike, Alfred Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 37.8 miles from Richmond, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.15 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 75.5 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: at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (ME 24 / Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (ME 197 / Main Street): Navigation decision point.

The route from Richmond, ME to Sanford, ME does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Frances Perkins National Monument.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Sanford, ME

Ashland, ME 298.4 mi · 5h 52m Addison, ME 216.8 mi · 4h 40m Bradley, ME 174.9 mi · 3h 28m Guilford, ME 161.6 mi · 3h 17m

More from Richmond, ME

Scarborough, ME 49.8 mi · 1h 6m Brightwater, ME 24.5 mi · 1h 4m

More trips to Sanford, ME

Bradley, ME 175.9 mi Cornville, ME 133.5 mi Canaan, ME 124.9 mi Jay, ME 95 mi Canton, ME 89.9 mi Chelsea, ME 85.9 mi
Weekend drives from Richmond, ME Scenic drives in ME

Explore more options from Richmond, ME or browse trips ending in Sanford, ME.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse ME road trips.