Origin
Sanford, ME
Afternoon in Sanford on Wednesday
Local time
2:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sanford, ME to Anson, ME
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 39m
Distance
129.1 mi
208 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 29m
★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sanford, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Anson, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Sanford, ME to Anson, ME covers 129.1 miles and takes about 2h 39m 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 $20.78 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
64.6 miles from Sanford, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 2h 39m highway drive covering 129.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 52.5 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 30 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 52.5 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Washington Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 129.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Washington Street
Turn right onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
7
15.5 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North Toll: Portland, Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North Toll: Portland, Augusta
8
28 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 295
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward Downtown Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 44
Toward Downtown Portland
5
107.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
Take the exit toward ME 104: Waterville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 130
Toward ME 104: Waterville
5
129.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
|
Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto Main 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.
Between Sanford, ME and Anson, ME, road signs point toward Augusta and Portland.
Augusta
15.5 mi in
|
~22m
Portland
28 mi in
|
~35m
|
via I 295
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 52.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| Maine Turnpike | 39.3 mi | 42m |
| Alfred Road | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Norridgewock Road | 5.5 mi | 8m |
| Old Point Avenue | 4 mi | 6m |
| Waterville Road | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Madison Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Sanford Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 52.5 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford, ME and Anson, ME.
1
Start on this road
89 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Washington Street
3
Continue on River Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
River Street
4
Turn right onto US 202; ME 4A
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Cottage Street
5
Continue on US 202; ME 4A
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Sanford Road
6
Continue on ME 111
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Biddeford Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on ME 111
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Alfred Road
8
Continue on ME 111
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Alfred Street
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
1 min
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 95 North Toll: Portland, Augusta
11
Merge onto I 95
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Maine Turnpike
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
52 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
I 295
Exit 44
Toward Downtown Portland
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 95
27 mi
·
29 min
·
Maine Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 130
Toward ME 104: Waterville
15
Turn left onto ME 104
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
16
Continue on ME 104
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Norridgewock Road
17
Continue on ME 104; ME 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Pung Hill Road
18
Continue on ME 104; ME 139
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Middle Road
19
Continue on ME 139
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Norridgewock Road
20
Continue on ME 139
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Waterville Road
21
Continue on US 2; US 201A
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 2; US 201A
22
Turn right onto US 201A
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Bridge Street
23
Continue on US 201A
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
New Madison Road
24
Continue on US 201A
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Madison Road
25
Continue on US 201A
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
New Madison Road
26
Continue on US 201A; ME 8
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Old Point Avenue
27
Continue on US 201A
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Madison Road
28
Turn left onto US 201A
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Main Street
29
At end of road, turn left onto Main Street
354 ft
·
7 sec
·
Main Street
30
Arrive at destination
Main Street
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.6 miles from Sanford, ME, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.6 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anson, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 129.1 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sanford, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 52.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64.6 mi from Sanford, ME · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.6 miles from Sanford, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Anson, ME
The final approach into Anson, 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 Anson, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.78 one way
$41.57 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $22.87 | $45.73 |
| premium | $4.86 | $24.72 | $49.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.50 | $57.01 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.36
Maine Turnpike
(39.3 mi)
$2.36
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
$21
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.56 | $6.20 |
| Efficient EV | 32.3 | 0 | $11.30 | $5.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.6 | 0 | $18.07 | $8.26 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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
Anson, ME
Afternoon in Anson on Wednesday
Local time
2:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Lawrence, MA
65 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
2 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
2h 39m 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 Sanford, ME to Anson, ME covers 129.1 miles and takes about 2h 39m 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 64.6 miles from Sanford, ME. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.78 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 129.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Between Sanford, ME and Anson, ME, road signs point toward Augusta and Portland.
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