Origin
Sanford, ME
Night in Sanford on Saturday
Local time
10:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sanford, ME to Union, 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 24m
Distance
111.3 mi
179 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sanford, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Union, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Sanford to Union is 111.3 miles and takes about 2h 24m via I 295 and Maine Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Maine, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a mixed drive that's mostly highway, making it a straightforward journey. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion. Plan to depart when you're ready, as the route is efficient and should allow ample time for arrival and any immediate plans.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.7 miles from Sanford, ME
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 51.3 mi | 59m |
| Maine Turnpike | 12.2 mi | 13m |
| Rockland Road | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| Alfred Road | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Augusta Road | 5 mi | 7m |
| Augusta-Rockland Road | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Togus Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Heald Highway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 51.3 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford, ME and Union, 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
51 mi
·
59 min
·
I 295
Exit 44
Toward Downtown Portland
Use the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 51
Toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner
14
Turn right onto ME 9; ME 126
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lewiston Road
15
Continue on Cobbossee Avenue
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Cobbossee Avenue
16
Continue on Lewiston Road
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Lewiston Road
17
Continue on Central Street
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Central Street
18
Turn straight onto Water Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Water Street
19
Turn left onto US 201
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Bridge Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto ME 27; ME 126
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Water Street
21
Turn left onto ME 226
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Windsor Street
22
Continue on ME 226
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Togus Road
23
At end of road, turn right onto ME 17
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Augusta Road
24
Continue on ME 17
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Eastern Avenue
25
Continue on ME 17
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Augusta Road
26
Continue on ME 17
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Augusta-Rockland Road
27
Continue on ME 17; ME 32
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Rockland Road
28
Continue on ME 17; ME 32
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Rockland Road
29
Continue on ME 17
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Augusta Road
30
Continue on ME 17
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Rockland Road
31
Continue on ME 17
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Heald Highway
32
Turn right onto Common Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Common Road
33
Arrive at destination
Common Road
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under two and a half hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to break this trip into multiple days, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and still have plenty of daylight. Fuel costs are estimated at $18, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you set off, as long highway stretches can sometimes mean fewer immediate fuel stops. Given the limited number of recommended stops, plan your breaks strategically if needed, perhaps before the longest 51.3-mile stretch on I 295.
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 55.7 miles from Sanford, ME, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.3 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 55.7 miles or 1h 7m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union, 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 111.3 miles and 2h 24m.
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 51.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.7 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 88.7 — 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
79.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 51
Toward ME 9, ME 126: Litchfield, Gardiner
5
88.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
|
ME 17 / Augusta Road
At end of road, turn right onto ME 17 / Augusta Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.92 one way
$35.84 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $19.71 | $39.43 |
| premium | $4.86 | $21.31 | $42.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.57 | $49.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.73
Maine Turnpike
(12.2 mi)
$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
$18
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.9 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 | 33.4 | 0 | $11.69 | $5.34 |
| Efficient EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.74 | $4.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.5 | 0 | $15.58 | $7.12 |
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.
Destination
Union, ME
Night in Union on Saturday
Local time
10:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Freeport, 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
2 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 24m 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?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 57% of the journey on highways like I 295 and the Maine Turnpike. You'll encounter one significant stretch of continuous highway driving, lasting 51.3 miles on I 295. This means you can expect periods of faster, more consistent travel. As you progress, the route transitions, likely incorporating more local roads as you approach your destination in Union. The overall character is one of efficiency, blending interstate speeds with a more local feel closer to your end point.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.3 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Washington Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 111.3 miles you will encounter 13 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.
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 Union, ME, road signs point toward Augusta, Portland and Gardiner.
Augusta
15.5 mi in
|
~22m
Portland
28 mi in
|
~35m
|
via I 295
Gardiner
79.2 mi in
|
~1h 35m
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 24m. Total distance: 111.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.3 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.73 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 Union, 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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Union, 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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