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Trip from Sanford, ME to Scarborough, ME

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

42m

Distance

30.7 mi

49 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$5

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min
4 AM
0h 39m ★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 45m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 40m

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

Downtown Sanford, ME, ME

Sanford, ME

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Scarborough, ME, ME

Scarborough, ME

David Roberts

Trip Overview

The drive from Sanford, ME to Scarborough, ME covers 30.7 miles and takes about 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Washington Street, River Street, Cottage Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.94 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

0 planned breaks

This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.

Midpoint

15.4 miles from Sanford, ME

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 42m drive with frequent turns across 30.7 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Washington Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Sanford, ME to Scarborough, ME is easy. At 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sanford, ME to Scarborough, ME is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Washington Street
River Street
Cottage Street
Sanford Road
Biddeford Road
Alfred Road
Alfred Street
I 95 North

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Washington Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on the route

89 ft · 8 sec · the route
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 Cottage Street

1.2 mi · 3 min · Cottage Street
5

Continue on Sanford Road

2.4 mi · 3 min · Sanford Road
6

Continue on Biddeford Road

1.8 mi · 2 min · Biddeford Road
7

Continue on Alfred Road

8.2 mi · 9 min · Alfred Road
8

Continue on Alfred Street

1.4 mi · 1 min · Alfred Street
9

Take the ramp left

0.1 mi · 1 min
10

Keep slight right to continue on I 95 North Toll: Portland, Augusta

0.2 mi · 33 sec · I 95 North Toll: Portland, Augusta
11

Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

10 mi · 11 min · Maine Turnpike
12

Take the exit slight right toward Scarborough

0.5 mi · 1 min · Scarborough
13

Continue on Haigis Parkway

1.4 mi · 2 min · Haigis Parkway
14

Turn left onto Route 1

1.4 mi · 3 min · Route 1
15

Turn right onto Black Point Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · Black Point Road
16

Turn left onto Highland Avenue

266 ft · 8 sec · Highland Avenue
17

Arrive at your 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 15.4 miles from Sanford, ME, or about 21m into the drive.

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 30.7 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 15.4 miles or 21m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scarborough, ME than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Have your navigation ready before leaving Sanford, ME.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Sanford, ME

This is one driving day of about 30.7 miles and 42m.

At 30.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 15.4 mi from Sanford, ME · 21m into the drive

Pacing Suggestions

South Portland Gardens, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Biddeford, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 15.4 miles from Sanford, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Scarborough, ME

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Scarborough, ME if you are unfamiliar with the area.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$4.94 one way

$9.88 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 11 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $5.44 $10.88
premium $4.86 $5.88 $11.76
diesel $5.61 $6.78 $13.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$30–$55

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 9.2 0 $3.22 $1.47
Efficient EV 7.7 0 $2.69 $1.23
EV Truck/SUV 12.3 0 $4.30 $1.96

Gas CO2

11 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (64% 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

Sanford, ME

Late night in Sanford on Thursday

Local time

1:19 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Scarborough, ME

Late night in Scarborough on Thursday

Local time

1:19 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

4 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

42m 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 Scarborough, ME covers 30.7 miles and takes about 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Washington Street, River Street, Cottage Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.4 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 $4.94 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.
The drive from Sanford, ME to Scarborough, ME is easy. At 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sanford, ME to Scarborough, ME is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Sanford, ME to Scarborough, ME does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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