Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
44m
Distance
34.6 mi
56 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Sanford, ME
Connor Scott McManus
Portland, ME
Brett Sayles
The drive from South Sanford, ME to Portland, ME covers 34.6 miles and takes about 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Maine Turnpike, Alfred Road, I 295 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 12.2 miles on Maine Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.54 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
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
17.3 miles from South Sanford, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
The drive from South Sanford, ME to Portland, ME covers 34.6 miles and takes about 44m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
62 ft
Total Descent
244 ft
Highest Point
263 ft
~2.9 mi in
Elevation Range
191 ft
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.1 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 34.6 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 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 100 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
At end of road, turn left onto Congress Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
On the drive from South Sanford, ME to Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Augusta along the way.
Augusta
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Turnpike | 12.2 mi | 13m |
| Alfred Road | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| I 295 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Alfred Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Jordan Springs Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Biddeford Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Portland Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Forest Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between South Sanford, ME and Portland, ME.
Start on ME 4
Continue on ME 4
Continue on ME 4
Turn right onto 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
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on ME 100
Turn left onto Portland Street
At end of road, turn right onto Preble Street
At end of road, turn left onto Congress Street
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 34.6 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.3 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portland, ME than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving South 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 South Sanford, ME
This is one driving day of about 34.6 miles and 44m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.3 mi from South Sanford, ME · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.3 miles from South Sanford, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Portland, 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 Portland, ME.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.54 one way
$11.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $6.07 | $12.14 |
| premium | $4.83 | $6.58 | $13.15 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.69 | $15.37 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$6
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.63 | $1.66 |
| Efficient EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.03 | $1.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.84 | $2.21 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in South Sanford on Sunday
Local time
9:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
29°F
Clear
Destination
Night in Portland on Sunday
Local time
9:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Clear
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from South Sanford, ME or browse trips ending in Portland, ME.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse ME road trips.
Explore maps for South Sanford, ME or Portland, ME on MapSof.net.