Nom Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Portland, Maine
Hours: 9 am–2 pm
+12076139332
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
116.2 mi
187 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sanford, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Albion, ME
PhotoShoot Studio | Candid, Birthday Pre Wedding, Baby, Maternity & Child Photographer in Pune Ps Studio
The drive from Sanford, ME to Albion, ME covers 116.2 miles and takes about 2h 28m 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 52.5 miles on I 295. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.71 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
58.1 miles from Sanford, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 116.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 2h 28m highway drive covering 116.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 52.5 miles on I 295.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.5 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 116.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 15.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North Toll: Portland, Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward Downtown Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward ME 3: Augusta, Belfast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto ME 3 / Augusta Bypass
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sanford, ME and Albion, ME, road signs point toward Augusta, Portland and Belfast.
Augusta
Portland
Belfast
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 52.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| Maine Turnpike | 22 mi | 23m |
| Alfred Road | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| North Belfast Avenue | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| US 202 | 7.1 mi | 11m |
| China Road | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| Augusta Bypass | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Route 3 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford, ME and Albion, ME.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Washington Street
Continue on River Street
Turn right onto US 202; ME 4A
Continue on US 202; ME 4A
Continue on ME 111
Continue on ME 111
Continue on ME 111
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto ME 3
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
Continue on US 202; ME 3; ME 9
Turn slight left onto US 202; ME 9
Turn right onto US 202; ME 9; ME 137
Continue on US 202; ME 9; ME 137
Turn left onto Benton Road
Turn left onto Winslow Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.1 miles or 1h 11m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albion, ME than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Sanford, 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 Sanford, ME
This is one driving day of about 116.2 miles and 2h 28m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.1 mi from Sanford, ME · 1h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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.
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 58.1 miles from Sanford, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Albion, 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 Albion, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Portland, Maine
Early in the drive, right off the route
Hours: 9 am–2 pm
+12076139332
Thai With Us
Augusta, Maine
Early in the drive, right off the route
Portland, Maine
Hours: 9 am–2 pm
+12076139332
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Augusta, Maine
Hours: 11 am–3 pm
+12074801121
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Freeport, Maine
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+12078695113
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Portland, Maine
Hours: 12–8:15 pm
+12076193775
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Portland, Maine
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12072337485
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Portland, Maine
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12077741822
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Portland, Maine
+12072531800
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Portland, Maine
Hours: 8:30 am–5:30 pm
+12078070009
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Augusta, Maine
+12076262385
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
South Portland, Maine
Hours: 11 am–5 pm
+12077678227
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
South Portland, Maine
Hours: 1–7 pm
+12072746007
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$18.71 one way
$37.41 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $20.58 | $41.16 |
| premium | $4.86 | $22.25 | $44.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.66 | $51.31 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.32
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
$19
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.20 | $5.58 |
| Efficient EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.17 | $4.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.27 | $7.44 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Sanford on Friday
Local time
8:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Albion on Friday
Local time
8:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
52°F
Freeport, ME
58 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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.
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