Sanford, ME to Fairfield, ME is 111 miles and takes about 2h 13m via I 295, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey stays within Maine, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast. Expect a drive primarily on highways, making it a straightforward trip. With a recommended single day of travel, this route is ideal for a quick hop between towns without needing an overnight stay. Consider this an efficient way to cover the distance, focusing on getting you to your destination promptly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.5 miles from Sanford, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
52.5 mi
1h 1m
Maine Turnpike
41.4 mi
45m
Alfred Road
8.2 mi
9m
Sanford Road
2.4 mi
3m
Biddeford Road
1.8 mi
2m
Alfred Street
1.4 mi
1m
Cottage Street
1.2 mi
3m
Western Avenue
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 52.5 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford, ME and Fairfield, 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 44Toward Downtown PortlandUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 95
29 mi·32 min·Maine Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 132Toward ME 139: Fairfield, Benton
15
Turn right onto ME 139
0.8 mi·2 min·Western Avenue
16
Turn right onto High Street
0.2 mi·57 sec·High Street
17
Turn left onto Lawrence Avenue
164 ft·7 sec·Lawrence Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Lawrence Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2h 13m and a fuel cost estimated at $18, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day. Leaving Sanford in the morning will give you ample time to reach Fairfield with daylight to spare. There are no specific stops recommended, so you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I 295 is over 50 miles, and plan your refueling accordingly before heading onto that segment.
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 55.5 miles from Sanford, ME, or about 1h 8m 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 24 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.5 miles or 1h 8m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, 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 111 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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 52.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 111 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
109.7 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward ME 139: Fairfield, Benton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 132
Toward ME 139: Fairfield, Benton
5
111 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|Lawrence Avenue
Turn left onto Lawrence Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.87 one way
$35.74 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$19.66
$39.32
premium
$4.86
$21.26
$42.51
diesel
$5.61
$24.51
$49.01
Estimated Tolls: $2.49
Maine Turnpike
(41.4 mi)$2.49
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
$18
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.3
0
$11.65
$5.33
Efficient EV
27.8
0
$9.71
$4.44
EV Truck/SUV
44.4
0
$15.54
$7.10
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Sanford, ME
Late night
in Sanford on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fairfield, ME
Late night
in Fairfield on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Yarmouth, ME
56 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
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 13m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 68.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 85% of the route utilizing major roads like I 295 and the Maine Turnpike. You'll experience a consistent pace for much of the journey, including a longest stretch of 52.5 miles on I 295 without needing to exit. While primarily highway, the initial part may involve roads like Alfred Road before merging onto the faster routes. The character remains largely consistent, prioritizing direct travel over varied scenery.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.5 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Maine Turnpike. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Washington Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 111 miles you will encounter 10 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.
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 Fairfield, ME, road signs point toward Augusta and Portland.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 111 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.5 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.49 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 Fairfield, 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. 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: 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.
Yes — Frances Perkins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fairfield, ME before heading back.
