The Orlando Sanford Airport began its history prior to the 1940’s as an 865-acre airport equipped with two runways. On June 11, 1942, the City of Sanford deeded the Airport to the U.S. Navy and the Airport became a Naval Air Station. The Navy acquired an additional 615 acres of land for the station and immediately began construction of its facilities. The majority of these facilities are still present at the Airport today, some of which currently serve as storage hangars.

The City of Sanford is located in the northwestern portion of Seminole County, approximately 16 nautical miles or 18 statute miles northeast of Orlando, Florida. The Orlando Sanford Airport is located in the southeastern portion of the City of Sanford. Major interstate access to the Airport is provided by Interstate 4 and the Central Florida GreeneWay (S.R. 417). State Highway 46 provides access to the Airport from the west via Interstate-4 and from the east via Interstate 95. The primary roadways into the Airport include East Lake Mary Boulevard, connecting to Red Cleveland Boulevard, Airport Boulevard via Sanford Avenue, and Wylly Avenue via Sanford Avenue.