Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
44m
Distance
34.6 mi
56 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Sanford, ME
Wikimedia Commons
Portland, ME
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking for a quick transition from the quiet of South Sanford to the coastal energy of Portland, this 34.6-mile trip is an ideal day excursion. You can expect to spend about 44 minutes behind the wheel, making it a very manageable drive that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $6, it is an economical way to move between these two Maine locations. The route relies on a combination of Alfred Road and major arteries like the Maine Turnpike and I-295. Because the entire journey takes place within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent New England atmosphere from start to finish. This is a straightforward, practical commute that allows you to reach your destination quickly without the need for complex planning.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Turnpike | 12.2 mi | 13m |
| Alfred Road | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| I 295 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Alfred Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Jordan Springs Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Biddeford Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Portland Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Forest Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between South Sanford, ME and Portland, ME.
Start on ME 4
Continue on ME 4
Continue on ME 4
Turn right onto ME 111
Continue on ME 111
Continue on ME 111
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on ME 100
Turn left onto Portland Street
At end of road, turn right onto Preble Street
At end of road, turn left onto Congress Street
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.1 and 34.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North Toll: Portland, Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 toward Downtown Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward ME 100 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
At end of road, turn left onto Congress Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Regular Gas
$5.57 one way
$11.14 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $6.13 | $12.26 |
| premium | $4.86 | $6.63 | $13.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.64 | $15.28 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.73
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$1
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.63 | $1.66 |
| Efficient EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.03 | $1.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.84 | $2.21 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in South Sanford on Sunday
Local time
12:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
29°F
Clear
Destination
Late night in Portland on Sunday
Local time
12:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Clear
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, transitioning you from local roads to major interstate travel. You will spend about 50% of your time on highways, providing a balanced experience behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Maine Turnpike, covering 12.2 miles of high-speed driving. As you navigate from Alfred Road onto the turnpike and eventually I-295, the character of the road shifts from regional pavement to more heavily trafficked corridors. Expect a functional drive that prioritizes efficiency over long, winding stretches, allowing you to settle into a rhythm before transitioning to the busier infrastructure near Portland.
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 16.1 miles in.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 34.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 44m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles (I 295): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
62 ft
Total Descent
244 ft
Highest Point
263 ft
~2.9 mi in
Elevation Range
191 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from South Sanford, ME to Portland, ME, road signs begin pointing toward Augusta along the way.
Augusta
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 44m. Total distance: 34.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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