Cushing to Sanford is 106.7 miles and takes about 2h 38m via I 295 and Route 1, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maine, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a straightforward, one-day drive that balances highway speeds with some surface road cruising. You'll find it's a practical option for getting between these two points without a major time commitment.
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
53.4 miles from Cushing, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
27.8 mi
34m
Route 1
19 mi
26m
Maine Turnpike
11.6 mi
12m
Leeman Highway
9.2 mi
13m
Alfred Road
8.2 mi
9m
Friendship Road
4.9 mi
11m
Bath Road
4 mi
7m
Atlantic Highway
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 27.8 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cushing, ME and Sanford, ME.
1
Start on Killeran Road
45 ft·2 sec·Killeran Road
2
Turn right onto River Road
0.3 mi·47 sec·River Road
3
Keep slight right at fork onto Cross Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Cross Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto ME 97
140 ft·6 sec·Cushing Road
5
Turn right onto Colonel Stairs Road
2.3 mi·5 min·Colonel Stairs Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto Finntown Road
0.2 mi·32 sec·Finntown Road
7
Continue on Hoffses Corner
0.2 mi·31 sec·Hoffses Corner
8
Continue on Finntown Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Finntown Road
9
Turn right onto ME 220
4.9 mi·11 min·Friendship Road
10
Continue on Jefferson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Jefferson Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 1
3.0 mi·4 min·Atlantic Highway
12
Continue on US 1
5.4 mi·7 min·Route 1
13
Continue on US 1
8.7 mi·12 min·Route 1
14
Continue on US 1; ME 27
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
15
Turn straight onto US 1
4.0 mi·7 min·Bath Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 1
4.9 mi·6 min·Route 1
17
Continue on US 1
1.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
18
Continue on US 1
9.2 mi·13 min·Leeman Highway
19
Turn right onto US 1
1.4 mi·2 min·Pleasant Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·41 sec
21
Keep slight left at fork
1.6 mi·2 min
Toward I 295 South: Freeport, Portland
22
Merge onto I 295
25 mi·30 min·I 295
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
2.6 mi·3 min·I 295
24
Merge onto I 95
12 mi·12 min·Maine Turnpike
25
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 32Toward ME 111: Biddeford
26
Turn right onto ME 111
1.4 mi·1 min·Alfred Street
27
Continue on ME 111
8.2 mi·9 min·Alfred Road
28
Continue on ME 111
1.8 mi·2 min·Biddeford Road
29
Continue on US 202; ME 4A
2.4 mi·3 min·Sanford Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on US 202; ME 4A
1.2 mi·3 min·Cottage Street
31
Turn left onto River Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·River Street
32
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Washington Street
33
Turn left
89 ft·6 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 38m estimated drive time and 106.7 miles, this is easily a same-day trip. Plan to leave Cushing in the morning to give yourself ample time. With only one stop recommended, you can be flexible with breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel; at an estimated $17, it's a manageable cost, but it's always wise to fuel up before you leave Cushing or as you approach larger towns. The longest stretch on I 295 is nearly 28 miles, so be prepared for sustained highway driving before the landscape changes.
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 53.4 miles from Cushing, ME, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.8 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 23 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.4 miles or 1h 31m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sanford, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cushing, 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 Cushing, ME
This is one driving day of about 106.7 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Cushing, 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 27.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 90.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.2 mi into trip|~10m in|Finntown Road
At end of road, turn left onto Finntown Road
Navigation decision point
5
11 mi into trip|~26m in|US 1 / Atlantic Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 1 / Atlantic Highway
Navigation decision point
6
49.6 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 295 South: Freeport, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 295 South: Freeport, Portland
5
51.2 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|I 295
Merge onto I 295
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
90.6 mi into trip|~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward ME 111: Biddeford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 32
Toward ME 111: Biddeford
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.14 one way
$34.29 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$18.86
$37.73
premium
$4.86
$20.39
$40.79
diesel
$5.61
$23.51
$47.03
Estimated Tolls: $0.70
Maine Turnpike
(11.6 mi)$0.70
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
$17
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32
0
$11.20
$5.12
Efficient EV
26.7
0
$9.34
$4.27
EV Truck/SUV
42.7
0
$14.94
$6.83
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Cushing, ME
Night
in Cushing on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sanford, ME
Night
in Sanford on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Brunswick, ME
53 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 38m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Frances Perkins National Monument
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 55% of this 106.7-mile route is on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 27.8 miles on I 295 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a mixed driving experience with periods of faster highway travel followed by more local road navigation. This means you'll encounter more frequent exits and varied speed limits as you approach your destination.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.8 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 4.2 miles in near Finntown Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 106.7 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 4.2 miles (Finntown Road): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles (US 1 / Atlantic Highway): Navigation decision point; at 49.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cushing, ME to Sanford, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Portland along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 106.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.8 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.70 in tolls one way, starting with Maine Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Sanford, ME before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through ME can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.2 miles (Finntown Road): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles (US 1 / Atlantic Highway): Navigation decision point; at 49.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sanford, ME before heading back.
