This 141-mile journey from Sanford to Solon, Maine, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 52 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's an economical trip. The route primarily utilizes local roads like Washington Street, River Street, and Cottage Street, with no highway driving, suggesting a more intimate, turn-heavy experience. Given its manageable length and local road focus, this drive is ideal for a leisurely day trip, allowing you to soak in the Northeast scenery without feeling rushed. You'll be staying within the state of Maine for the entire duration.
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
70.5 miles from Sanford, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
52.5 mi
1h 1m
Maine Turnpike
42.7 mi
46m
South Main Street
13.3 mi
15m
Alfred Road
8.2 mi
9m
Skowhegan Road
7.6 mi
11m
Waterville Road
6.8 mi
9m
Sanford Road
2.4 mi
3m
Biddeford Road
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 52.5 mi, about 1h 1m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 39 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,557 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,064
Quietest
2 AM
~87 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
29.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford, ME and Solon, 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
31 mi·33 min·Maine Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 133Toward US 201: Fairfield, Skowhegan
15
Keep slight right at fork
108 ft·2 sec
16
Merge onto US 201
7.6 mi·11 min·Skowhegan Road
17
Continue on US 201
6.8 mi·9 min·Waterville Road
18
Turn right onto US 2; US 201
206 ft·7 sec·Main Street
19
Continue on US 2; US 201
0.2 mi·33 sec·Island Avenue
20
Continue on US 2; US 201
375 ft·15 sec·Water Street
21
Take the exit
132 ft·9 sec
22
Turn left onto US 2; US 201
431 ft·16 sec·Commercial Street
23
Turn right onto US 201
1.6 mi·3 min·Madison Avenue
24
Continue on US 201
13 mi·15 min·South Main Street
25
Turn right onto Pleasant Street
352 ft·9 sec·Pleasant Street
26
Arrive at destination
Pleasant Street
Trip Plan
Consider departing Sanford in the morning to make the most of your day, especially since this 2-hour and 52-minute drive is easily completed in one go. With only one stop recommended, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself. Since this route is predominantly local roads and has no highway percentage, be mindful of posted speed limits as you navigate through various communities. A good tip for this drive is to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as you won't have access to highway service areas; ensuring you start with a full tank is advisable, especially with the estimated $23 fuel cost.
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 70.5 miles from Sanford, ME, or about 1h 25m 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 31 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.5 miles or 1h 25m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Solon, 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 141 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Sanford, 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 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.5 and 125.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
111 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward US 201: Fairfield, Skowhegan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 133
Toward US 201: Fairfield, Skowhegan
5
111.2 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
125.9 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.92 one way
$49.85 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$27.30
$54.60
premium
$5.29
$29.36
$58.72
diesel
$5.35
$29.70
$59.40
Estimated Tolls: $2.56
Maine Turnpike
(42.7 mi)$2.56
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
$25
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.3
0
$14.81
$6.77
Efficient EV
35.3
0
$12.34
$5.64
EV Truck/SUV
56.4
0
$19.74
$9.02
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Sanford, ME
Afternoon
in Sanford on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Scattered Rain Showers
NE 5 mph51% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Solon, ME
Afternoon
in Solon on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 0 to 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
51°F
Brunswick, ME
71 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
3 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
2h 52m on the road
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.
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 72.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and villages for the majority of the 141 miles, rather than cruising on high-speed interstates. Without any long, uninterrupted stretches noted, you can anticipate frequent turns and changes in speed as you make your way through Maine's countryside. This type of driving offers a more connected experience to the landscape, allowing for a slower pace and closer observation of your surroundings.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
7/10
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 around 15.5 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 141 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 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; at 111 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
480 ft50 ft
Total Climb
598 ft
Total Descent
502 ft
Highest Point
480 ft
~130.9 mi in
Elevation Range
430 ft
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 Solon, ME, road signs point toward Augusta, Portland and Skowhegan.
Augusta
15.5 mi in|~22m
Portland
28 mi in|~35m|via I 295
Skowhegan
111 mi in|~2h 10m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 141 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). 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 $2.56 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.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Solon, 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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 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; at 111 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Solon, ME before heading back.
