Origin
Sanford, ME
Late night in Sanford on Saturday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sanford, ME to Richmond, ME
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 36m
Distance
75.2 mi
121 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 30m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sanford, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Richmond, ME
Tnarg
Trip Overview
The drive from Sanford, ME to Richmond, ME covers 75.2 miles and takes about 1h 36m 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 43.1 miles on I 295. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.11 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
37.6 miles from Sanford, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 75.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 36m highway drive covering 75.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 43.1 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 19 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 43.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 early in the drive near Washington Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.2 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 (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 11 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
6
71.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward ME 197: Richmond, Litchfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 43
Toward ME 197: Richmond, Litchfield
5
75.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
ME 24 / South Front Street
At end of road, turn right onto ME 24 / South Front 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 Richmond, ME, road signs point toward Augusta, Portland and Litchfield.
Augusta
15.5 mi in
|
~22m
Portland
28 mi in
|
~35m
|
via I 295
Litchfield
71.1 mi in
|
~1h 26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 43.1 mi | 50m |
| Maine Turnpike | 12.2 mi | 13m |
| Alfred Road | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Main Street | 3.5 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
— 43.1 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford, ME and Richmond, 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
43 mi
·
50 min
·
I 295
Exit 44
Toward Downtown Portland
Use the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 43
Toward ME 197: Richmond, Litchfield
14
Keep slight right at fork
110 ft
·
2 sec
15
Turn slight right onto 197
3.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Main Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto ME 24
294 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Front Street
17
Turn left
54 ft
·
9 sec
18
Turn left
283 ft
·
20 sec
19
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 37.6 miles from Sanford, ME, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.1 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.6 miles or 47m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sanford, ME
This is one driving day of about 75.2 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Sanford, ME.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 43.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.6 mi from Sanford, ME · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.6 miles from Sanford, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Richmond, ME
The final approach into Richmond, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.11 one way
$24.21 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $13.32 | $26.64 |
| premium | $4.86 | $14.40 | $28.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.60 | $33.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.73
Maine Turnpike
(12.2 mi)
$0.73
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: 26.3 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 | 22.6 | 0 | $7.90 | $3.61 |
| Efficient EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.58 | $3.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.53 | $4.81 |
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.
Destination
Richmond, ME
Late night in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°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 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 36m 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 Richmond, ME covers 75.2 miles and takes about 1h 36m 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 37.6 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 $12.11 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 75.2 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 (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 Richmond, ME, road signs point toward Augusta, Portland and Litchfield.
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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