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Trip from Sanford, ME to Solon, ME

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 52m

Distance

141 mi

227 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 41m ★
6 AM
2h 52m
8 AM
3h 14m
10 AM
3h 0m
12 PM
2h 58m
3 PM
3h 1m
5 PM
3h 13m
8 PM
2h 46m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Sanford, ME, ME

Sanford, ME

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Solon, ME, ME

Solon, ME

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 26m into the drive .

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 Solon, 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

12 mi · 13 min · Maine Turnpike
12

Keep slight right to continue on Downtown Portland

52 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Downtown Portland
13

Merge slight left onto Maine Turnpike

31 mi · 33 min · Maine Turnpike
14

Take the exit slight right toward US 201: Fairfield, Skowhegan

0.2 mi · 33 sec · US 201: Fairfield, Skowhegan
15

Keep slight right

108 ft · 3 sec
16

Merge slight left onto Skowhegan Road

7.6 mi · 11 min · Skowhegan Road
17

Continue on Waterville Road

6.8 mi · 9 min · Waterville Road
18

Turn right onto Main Street

207 ft · 7 sec · Main Street
19

Continue on Island Avenue

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Island Avenue
20

Continue on Water Street

374 ft · 16 sec · Water Street
21

Take the exit left

131 ft · 9 sec
22

Turn left onto Commercial Street

430 ft · 16 sec · Commercial Street
23

Turn right onto Madison Avenue

1.6 mi · 3 min · Madison Avenue
24

Continue on South Main Street

13 mi · 15 min · South Main Street
25

Turn right onto Pleasant Street

351 ft · 10 sec · Pleasant Street
26

Arrive at your destination

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 26m 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 31 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 70.5 miles or 1h 26m 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 21m

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.

Where to Stop

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

town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brunswick, ME

71 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Portland, ME

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brunswick, ME

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70.5 miles from Sanford, ME, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Thai With Us

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Augusta, Maine

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 90.6

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12074801121

Visit website

Ming Lee Chinese Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Waterville, Maine

2.8 mi

Nom Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Portland, Maine

2.9 mi

Thai With Us

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 90.6

Augusta, Maine

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12074801121

Visit website

Ming Lee Chinese Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 110.8

Waterville, Maine

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12078732828

Visit website

Nom Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 30.2

Portland, Maine

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+12076139332

Visit website

Freeport Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 50.3

Freeport, Maine

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12078695113

Visit website

Villager Family Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 110.8

Waterville, Maine

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12078726231

Maine Escape Games

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 30.2

South Portland, Maine

Hours: 1–7 pm

+12072746007

Visit website

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 30.2

South Portland, Maine

Hours: 4–8 pm

+12078087696

Visit website

Maine Military Museum & Learning Center

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 30.2

South Portland, Maine

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+12077678227

Visit website

Old Fort Western

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 90.6

Augusta, Maine

+12076262385

Visit website

The Escape Room

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 30.2

Portland, Maine

Hours: 12–8:15 pm

+12076193775

Visit website

Maine Day Ventures/ formerly Maine Foodie Tours

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 30.2

Portland, Maine

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12072337485

Visit website

Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 30.2

Portland, Maine

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12077741822

Visit website

Portland Observatory

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 30.2

Portland, Maine

+12072531800

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.70 one way

$45.40 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $24.97 $49.95
premium $4.86 $27.00 $54.00
diesel $5.61 $31.13 $62.26

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.3 0 $14.80 $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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Sanford, ME

Late night in Sanford on Sunday

Local time

12:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Solon, ME

Late night in Solon on Sunday

Local time

12:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

32°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

46°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

19 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

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.

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.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: Washington Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

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.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Sanford, ME to Solon, ME is easy. At 2h 52m 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 Solon, ME is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

About the Cities

Starting in Sanford, ME

Full guide →

Sanford is a small town is southern Maine. It includes the village of Springvale.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

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 (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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.

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

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Solon, ME before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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