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NeverStopTraveling

The Maine Coast: A Great Summer Road Trip

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Last Updated on March 27, 2022 by Jim Ferri

a windjammer at anchor on the Maine coast
A windjammer anchored near Stonington on the Maine Coast

If you do it only once in your life, take a trip along the Maine coast…

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

By Jim Ferri

Few pleasures are as unique as an early summer drive on a Maine coast road trip.

people enjoying coctails on the porch of a hotel on the Maine coast
Enjoying cocktails on the porch of the Hotel Pemaquid in Pemaquid, Maine

Here you’ll drive through scenery that continually morphs from forest to farmland and back to forest again.

And walk along the granite-strewn coast of Maine watching waves crash ashore beneath postcard-worthy lighthouses.

You’ll likely spend afternoons moseying about art shows and through antique stores in Maine’s coastal towns. And, of course, you’ll want to stop at a lobster shack or two along the way.

It’s an easy 1½-hour drive up I-95 from Boston to the Maine border, another half-hour to Portland if you want to stop there. But the real Maine road-trip fun starts on Maine’s Route 1 at Freeport where you’ll leave the Interstate behind. I didn’t include such southern Maine towns as Kennebunkport and Ogunquit since I wanted to focus more on rugged coastal Maine north of Portland.

Get on Route 1 there and let it take you northward along some of the prettiest coastline in the USA. The Maine coast is one of the best road trips in America. If you love the ocean and its bays and islands you’ll be smitten by this part of the New England coast. With so many islands, nooks and crannies Maine’s coast is actually longer than California’s.

a boy with an ice cream cone at a custard stand on Maine's Route 1
Old-fashion custard on a warm summer day.

Route 1 Maine

I made the transition from city to country quickly on Maine’s Route 1. Almost immediately I saw cars with canoes and kayaks strapped to their tops, signs to watch for moose on the roadway, little piles of wood on people’s lawns with signs advertising “camp firewood.” It was almost as if I’d stepped into another country.

My first stop on Route 1 was at an old classic roadside burger shack in Freeport. I placed my order for a burger and fries (thick-cut Maine potatoes, skins and all) that soon arrived in a little takeaway carton. I then quickly headed next door for a real treat: an old-fashioned soft-serve custard.

Most Popular Hotels in Maine

Not too far down the road, I found the L.L. Bean campus, the mother ship of the popular outdoor apparel chain. After a short stroll about, I asked the clerk how long it would take to reach Camden on Penobscot Bay.

“It will only take you about an hour,” she told me. She then added, “the only problem you’ll have is near Wiscasset because Red’s Lobsters there serves the best lobster roll and there will be traffic.” I made a mental note to stop at Red’s.

a waitress handing a customer a loberster roll in Wiscasset, one of the popular Maine coastal towns on Maine's Route 1
Lobster rolls at Red’s eats, Wiscasset

Lobster Rolls in Wiscasset

Route 1 to Wiscasset is flush with wildflower fields and many antique, kayak and canoe stores. Wiscasset is an attractive little town complete with a welcome sign opining it’s “The Prettiest Village in Maine.” I soon found myself in a small antique store that had a bed-and-breakfast tucked in out back. I got to talking with the owners, a couple who also own an apartment in the South of France, where they find respite from the Maine winters.

An antique store in one of Maine's coastal towns on Maine's Route 1
A B&B / antique store in Wiscasset

When I left, I found Red’s Eats just down the road, where I enjoyed the first lobster roll of my life. Many more were to follow.

I soon became engrossed in conversation with some folks at an adjoining picnic table. I then realized that’s the problem with driving in Maine: you can never make a quick stop for anything. You often start chitchatting with someone and get engrossed in conversation. Or while driving along something catches your attention and you detour to see it. A 15-minute stop quickly turns into an hour.

To my chagrin, I was only beginning my Maine coastal road trip, and was already running late. I made up my mind to stop with the stops and keep pushing northward.

boats at anchor at down in one of Maine's coastal towns on Maine's Route 1
Rockport’s harbor at dawn

Quintessential Coastal Maine

If you stick to Maine’s Route 1, with a turnoff here and there, you’ll see plenty of Maine’s coastal towns. Just don’t try to see all of it on the drive northward. At some point, you’ll probably need to turn back, and you’ll want to visit some towns on the southward journey. Keep in mind also that Route 1 can be bumper-to-bumper in the summer months. I avoided most of the traffic by taking my road trip in late June.

people on a dock awaiting a schooner in Camden, one of the popular towns on Maine Route 1
Waiting for a schooner in Camden

From Wiscasset I headed to pretty Rockport and Camden further north on the coast of Maine, saving Boothbay and Bath for the return drive. I found Rockport to be a pretty little town with beautiful old homes dotting the shoreline of a small scenic bay.

In nearby Camden, I found more beautiful old homes plus inns and an occasional B&B. Geraniums cascade from lampposts here, providing a bright splash of color to old multi-colored buildings. Every once in a while I’d catch the sight of a windjammer sliding across Penobscot Bay.

When leaving Camden, keep heading north to Searsport, another of Maine’s coastal towns and the self-proclaimed “Antique Capital of Maine.” Aside from Antiques, here you’ll also find Penobscot Marine Museum, eight buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

North of Searsport, near Bucksport, turn right onto State Road 175 to the fishing village of Stonington on Deer Island. It’s worth a detour to the beautiful, quaint little town, the kind you find on Maine postcards. Even its small post office – Stonington, ME 04681– is postcard-worthy.

people on a mountain top looking out over the ocean in Acadia National Park, reached near the northern end of Maine Route 1
The view from the top of Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park

Beautiful Bar Harbor

Don’t miss Bar Harbor, only an hour or so north of Searsport, one of the most famous of Maine’s coastal towns. It’s an artsy little town with galleries vying for space with numerous restaurants, small shops, and cafés.

people at an art fair in Bar Harbor, one of the popular towns on Maine Route 1
A weekend art fair in Bar Harbor

It’s also a great town to wander about. While here be sure to take the fun (and highly rated) Lulu Lobster Boat tour. Aboard with Captain John, you’ll learn a lot about marine life about you.

He regaled us about lobsters, birds and sea mammals, even teaching us how to sex a crab. He ended the tour pulling some of his traps from the water to give us a first-hand look at the catch.

Bar Harbor is also the gateway to Acadia National Park, one of the famous national parks in the Eastern USA. Drive by the smorgasbord of restaurants and hotels on its periphery and spend the day wandering about this natural treasure.

Don’t miss the drive up to the top of Acadia’s Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain in the Eastern U.S. There you’ll enjoy an incredible view out over the islands off the coast of Maine and the vast forests about you.

people in a lighhouse museum in Rockland
The Lighthouse Museum in Rockland

South On Route 1 to the Lighthouse Museum

Leaving Bar Harbor, you have a choice: continue northward on Maine’s Route 1 to the Canadian border and Campobello International Park (a 2½-hour drive) or continue your road trip by heading back south visiting those towns you skipped along the Maine coast. Campobello was the summer retreat of Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt. Although in Canada, it is an actual international park that’s jointly administered, staffed, and funded by Canada and the United States.

Heading up Down East?
These hotels may be of interest

Lacking time to see Campobello I headed back south down towards Rockland to visit more of Maine’s coastal towns. Along the way, I saw more antique shops than I could count, as well as many signs for homemade pies, fresh strawberries, and camp firewood.

I was interested in visiting the small Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland. Lighthouses are a part of Maine history, and the museum is dedicated to everything having to do with them.

For those of us who only view lighthouses as tall structures, this small museum is an eye-opener. It shows just what was required 100 years ago to keep lighthouses operating to ensure the safety of mariners. The museum not only covers lighthouses and lifesaving services in the U.S. but in several foreign countries, as well.

Late afternoon at Pemaquid Lighthouse, a jewel on the coast of Maine

A Quick Sidetrip to a Jewel of Coastal Maine

Leaving the museum, I decided to see the real thing: the famous Pemaquid Lighthouse near Bristol, about an hour south. (Take Route 1 to Route 130 south of Nobelboro and continue on to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park.)

It was well worth the drive to see this historic lighthouse on the Maine coast. At Pemaquid Light, there’s a Fishermen’s Museum and a pretty little park around it, all sitting atop a rugged coastline of granite dropping off into the Atlantic. It was quietly beautiful and dramatic at the same time. And although it delayed me in getting to Boothbay Harbor when I wanted to, I left wishing I had come earlier and brought a picnic lunch along.

evening in Boothbay Harbor one of the most popular Maine coastal towns
Evening in Boothbay Harbor

On to Boothbay

I continued my Maine road trip to Boothbay Harbor, which like Bar Harbor, I found to be another artsy town. (To get there take Route 1 south; just east of Wiscasset turn on to Route 27 south to Boothbay). Adding even more pizazz to the weekend, I was there was the Windjammer Day Festival. It’s the one time during the year when all of Maine’s windjammers come into port for the Windjammer Parade.


You may also enjoy: Maine Cruises – Experiencing the State From A Different Perspective / Windjammer Cruises on Maine’s Penobscot Bay / Historic Boston: Following the Freedom Trail


From the deck outside my hotel room, I realized I would have a fantastic view of the parade. But I was a day early, and since I was only staying overnight, I wasn’t going to be there for the show. I decided instead to take a walk about Boothbay. With the region’s pretty wooded rolling hills and the charm of the town I quickly got a sense why so many people enjoy summering in the region.

people in a maritime museum in Bath on Maine Route 1
The carpenter’s shop in the Maine Maritime Museum

A Preeminent Maine Coastal Town: “The City of Ships”

Leaving Boothbay Harbor the next morning, I headed to Bath, a charming city that calls itself “The City of Ships.” Visit the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, and you’ll quickly learn why.

The museum is a fascinating place with interesting exhibits, some in outbuildings, all brought together in a century-old shipyard. On an adjoining green is the actual way where many old ships were constructed.

a museum docent with a model ship in a museum in Bath
A docent at the Maine Maritime Museum

As I walked out of the museum’s main building onto the lawn, I was astounded by what I saw. In front of me was a true-to-size reconstruction of the bow, main mast, and stern of the Wyoming, the largest of seven schooners built in the yard. For a minute or so I just stood staring at it, shocked by its size.

Also immensely enjoyable was a tour of the nearby Bath Iron Works, included with your admission to the Museum. The Bath Iron Works is the renowned yard where many great modern ships have been built. Today, however, the Iron Works only constructs destroyers for the U.S. Navy.

In your tour of the yard, you’re required to stay inside a trolley-style bus and not allowed to bring any cameras or cell phones on the tour for obvious security reasons. Our guide, a recently retired employee, gave us a fascinating description of how the large ships are put together. Since 1884, the Works has built more than 425 ships for the world’s naval and commercial fleets.

From Bath it’s only a 45-minute drive back to Portland on Maine’s Route 1 and Interstate 295. Instead of ending your Maine road trip there, however, you could continue on to visit Kennebunkport and Ogunquit. Do that and you’ll have visited the majority of the most popular Maine coastal towns.

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Comments

  1. Elizabeth says

    May 1, 2019 at 2:41 pm

    I would love to take a summer roadtrip to Maine. It’s one of the many places in the US I have wanted to visit for a long time. Your post makes me want to visit even more and have some of that lobster and custard!

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      May 2, 2019 at 7:38 am

      Hi Elizabeth,
      If you’re thinking about a road trip to coastal Maine, it’s easy to combine it with a trip to other areas of New England (Boston, Rhode Island. etc.) and with the Maritime provinces of Canada.

      Reply
  2. Federica says

    May 1, 2019 at 5:50 pm

    The lobsters in Maine are worth the entire trip! Maine is such a lovely country and its coast with its lighthouses is so pretty. Would love to go back!

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      May 2, 2019 at 7:34 am

      Hi Federica,
      Obviously you love lobsters! You won’t find any fresher than those in Maine.

      Reply
  3. Amrita says

    May 2, 2019 at 12:59 am

    A road trip to the Maine coast looks like a lovely experience. My husband and I, both love road trips, but haven’t done one near the coast. The Pemaquid Lighthouse looks so beautiful, and so does the Boothbay Harbour. The Maritime Museum too, sounds like an interesting place to visit.

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      May 2, 2019 at 7:31 am

      Hi Amrita,
      There are several great places in the U.S. that are road-trip worthy. The coast of Maine is one of the best.

      Reply
  4. Namita Kulkarni says

    May 2, 2019 at 2:24 am

    Heard a lot about Maine but reading this offered a lovely vicarious trip. Pemaquid lighthouse looks especially intriguing, with the museum being in it! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      May 2, 2019 at 7:29 am

      Thanks Namita. I enjoy helping fellow travelers visit with me vicariously. But someday you should visit Maine yourself.

      Reply
  5. Daniel says

    May 2, 2019 at 4:53 am

    I never visited the Maine Coast but it sure looks like an interesting choice for a summer road trip. The City of Ships sounds like a place I would definitely like to visit someday. Thank you for sharing this lovely article, I realyl enjoyed it 🙂

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      May 2, 2019 at 7:28 am

      Hi Daniel,
      Yes Bath is interesting, especially the museum there.

      Reply
  6. Tami says

    May 3, 2019 at 2:29 am

    Sounds like the perfect vacay! I love roadtrips, lighthouses, rugged coastlines, and plenty of things to take photos of. I also adore how you got people to smile when they gave you your food orders — such a friendly bunch!

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      May 3, 2019 at 7:40 am

      Hi Tami,
      It’s a great place — where lots of people smiled at me!

      Reply
  7. Sara says

    May 3, 2019 at 4:39 pm

    This brings me back to my childhood and a family trip we took out East. I recall eating lots of ice cream, but never did try the famous lobster rolls. As a kid I hated seafood and my adult self is regretting that!

    Reply
  8. Cynthia says

    May 9, 2019 at 8:43 pm

    Looking at this as a trip option with our daughter who is headed to college in August. She’s always wanted us to visit Maine. What are your suggestions on the best airport to fly in to (we live in Georgia)? And what’s a practical number of days to plan for an enjoyable road trip? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      May 11, 2019 at 1:10 pm

      Hi Cynthia,
      You’re in Georgia? I’m just heading home from Georgia now. Lovely state. As for Maine, another lovely state, it’s rather easy to reach. You could fly into either Portland, ME or into Boston, MA. I chose Boston since I wanted to stop there for a couple of days and found it was an easy drive up to Portland to start my trip. For a good taste of coastal Maine I’d suggest 5-7 days, which would let you explore a fair amount of the area. You could also add a few more days on and drive up into the Canadian Maritimes, another beautiful area. Be aware, however, that the roads get crowded in the summer months. June and September are great times to visit. Let me know if I can provide you with further info.

      Reply
      • Jo Mac says

        July 15, 2022 at 3:47 pm

        Hi Jim
        I’m trying to plan a sisters trip. Starting in Portland where we will pick up one of the 3 sisters. Then we have about 5 days for our road trip. Mid October is our time line. Thinking northern Maine. Any suggestions. Would like to stay on the ocean at night.

        Reply
        • Jim Ferri says

          July 15, 2022 at 4:23 pm

          Hi Jo,
          Maine in October…you’re going to have a great time. I would stick to Route 1 as your main Maine road.You’ll be lucky because most of the tourist traffic will be gone in October. Get a map and look at the points along the coast that you might want to see ((Boothbay, etc.) and then make them side trips. Or, perhaps even better, make them the place where you’ll overnight. I think if you pretty much follow the route / making the stops that I did, you’ll be okay. Do you ever use the site http://www.Rome2Rio.com? It’s excellent for planning a trip like this since in addition to giving you all the means of transportation for getting anywhere, it also gives you the distance and driving time. Use it to plot each day of your trip. but leave lots of time for just walking about. When I did the trip I wrote about, I had to do it in 4 days. 5 days would have been much easier. Make certain you get to Acadia National Park outside Bar Harbor, which will be spectacular in the Fall. You can have 3 days driving and then 2 days for the return. I’d also speak with teh people at Maine’s (very good) tourist office. They can help give you some good local information. I hope you have a great trip!
          Jim

          Reply
    • Lindsey says

      May 18, 2021 at 2:41 pm

      Portland Maine Jet Port

      Reply
  9. Sana says

    May 11, 2019 at 7:03 am

    omg that Maine lobster roll looks SO good!!! It’s funny, living in New York for so long, I’ve always had lobster rolls but never made it to Maine for one. This road trip looks like a lot of fun!

    Reply
  10. Angeline Harker says

    March 28, 2021 at 9:22 am

    What is the weather in early may

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      March 28, 2021 at 1:00 pm

      Hi Angeline, May/springtime is a good time to visit the Maine coast, although it may be a little cool. June-August brings the best weather but also the crowds.

      Reply
  11. Greg Stewart says

    May 18, 2021 at 5:31 pm

    We’ve been to Maine many, many times & all the places you wrote about. My wife is a Mainer.
    All my heritage from Maine & New England.

    Nothing comparable to the coast of Maine.
    Thinking of moving there. Ayah

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      May 19, 2021 at 7:24 am

      It’s a beautiful place. I greatly enjoyed it.

      Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      May 19, 2021 at 7:26 am

      The coast of Maine is beautiful. I really enjoyed it.

      Reply
  12. Mandy says

    May 23, 2021 at 7:19 pm

    We are planning a fall trip. 9 days but are flying into see Niagara Falls first and then coming over to Maine for 7days. Thinking of staying near bar harbor a few days and then Kannenbunkport for the remainder and flying home from Portland. Please give honest feedback on our choices. It’s my moms 70th and on her bucket list. Thank you very much.

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      May 26, 2021 at 6:56 pm

      Hi Mandy,
      I don’t know when in September you’re planning your trip, but I’d opt for early September since average Sept day temperatures are in the 60s and 70s. It’s also cool at night. I expect that you’ll be renting a car for the trip so you can enjoy the Maine Coast. You may want to stay a night somewhere along the coast between Bal Harbor and Kennebunkport (where I’d stay one day). Overall, though, I think it’s a great trip for 9 days. And one other thing, the best view of Niagara Falls is from the Canadian side. At this time, however, you can’t enter Canada due to the Corona virus, but I think (and hope)that will not be the case in September. Pls let me know if I can help you more.

      Reply
  13. Nancy LaRochelle says

    June 7, 2021 at 9:28 pm

    There are indeed, many fine places in Maine to enjoy a lobster roll. The absolute best in taste and atmosphere would be The Clam Shack in Cape Elizabeth where you may sit on the rocks on the rugged coast of Maine, enjoying your lunch and being awestruck by the magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean. You will never understand the beauty of Maine Oceans until you see for yourself. ❤️

    Reply
  14. Debbie says

    June 13, 2021 at 9:01 am

    We are looking at visiting the Maine coast in mid-October. What weather can we expect? Is there a central location we could stay and return to daily or should we plan on a night or two in different towns? We will be driving from north-central Pennsylvania.

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      June 14, 2021 at 3:22 pm

      Hi Debbie, October is a beautiful time of year anywhere in New England. You can expect the temperature to be in the 50s during the day, in the 30s at night. I would definitely stay in different locations. One of them should be Bar Harbor, a wonderful town, so you can enjoy Acadia National Park (a beautiful spot). I also enjoyed Boothbay Harbor further south to explore that area. You’ll love the area. Have a great trip!

      Reply
  15. Kim says

    June 26, 2021 at 5:27 pm

    What exact road trip would you recommend from NY? I’d like to see Boston and the highlights of coastal Maine. I’m all about the nature, animals, National parks, must-see things, whale watching, beaches, mountains, white water rafting, kayaking and spontaneous stops along my drive to pull over and absorb the views. Sunrise and sunset spots along the Atlantic coast suggestions? Ty!!

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      June 27, 2021 at 8:48 am

      Hi Kim. I’ve made road trips from NY up through New England. Coastal Connecticut is beautiful as is Rhode Island. Definitely spend a few days in Boston (you can also take whale-watching trips out of there). From Boston head for Portland Maine, which is a nice city. You only pass through a snippet of New Hampshire along the way, so if you have time I’d drive inland a bit further into the state, which is beautiful. From Portland just follow the coast norhtward, wandering off wherever you feel there’s something of interest. You don’t try to hit every site in Maine or elsewhere on the drive up…you can leave some places for your return trip. I hope you have a great trrip!

      Reply
  16. Kas says

    July 3, 2021 at 7:29 am

    Hello Jim, I just found your site! and I am loving not only reading your travel blog but also the questions and answers.
    I will be attending a retreat at the Mary Joseph retreat center in Biddeford Maine October 11 through the 14th. I also am planning to move to Maine because I love New England and Maine seems to be coming up a lot. I have been there many years ago. I travel mainly to western Massachusetts four times a year with hops to NH. I am tired of the road congestion and ever growing population.
    I’d like to make a lovely excursion trip either before or after the retreat spending about five days traveling around.
    My budget is somewhat limited as I am just publishing a book coming out around July 12. So, that has taken a lot and I have enjoyed it immensely. It is my second.
    I am sure that my publishing person who happens to live in Maine will have some ideas of bookstores etc to stop at and have been contacted ahead of time.
    You will probably be aware of these places being a writer yourself, so maybe we can roll that in. Clean budget hotels, Motel 6’s, that sort of thing with one grand stay at a magnificent place before I head back into SE Pennsylvania by way of Merritt Pkwy towards home. Please let me know if there is anything you need to know I may have left out. Thank you for this!

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      July 5, 2021 at 6:05 pm

      Hi Kas, and thank you for teh kind words. A lot of readers ask me for budget info, which is near impossible to provide, since we all travel differently. What some may consider $15,000 a good budget, others may feel $5,000 is more realistic. Others much less. I can only suggest that you go online to sites such as Booking.com and hotels.com and look up hotels in the places where you’d like to travel. That will be the best barometer to help you get a real sense of a budget. I know you’re going to have a wonderful trip! Stay safe.

      Reply
  17. Dan Reed says

    July 8, 2021 at 12:14 am

    Enjoyed your Maine driving trip story.
    Just enough detail to give fellow adventurers an idea of what to expect. Timely weather and traffic info is so helpful. It’s funny.. my wife loves to chat with other folks we run into on vacation.
    I have to literally pull her away.. or we’ll never get back on the road. But we have met people from all over the world who we still keep in touch with and have visited. It’s the magic of travel.
    Do you think mid October would be good for a Maine driving trip? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      July 13, 2021 at 12:58 pm

      Hi Dan, and yes, I think October would be a good time for a Maine trip. The weather will be cooling down a bit. I’d try for early October to catch some of the autumn leaves. I think the view from Cadillac Mt. would be spectacular in the fall.

      Reply
  18. K. Jencius says

    August 5, 2021 at 4:23 pm

    I have been to the custard spot and they are delicious. But, in looking at Google maps, I do not see a hamburger place next to it. To the left, up the road are boats. To the right is a car parts store. Could they have closed?

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      August 6, 2021 at 4:18 pm

      I just looked at Google maps and see what you mean. The hamburger place is no longer there, at least on Google maps. Another bit of Americana gone. That’s sad.

      Reply
  19. James T Ford says

    August 9, 2021 at 2:22 pm

    Hello Mr.Ferri,
    I am visiting Maine in late September, looking for a romantic trip in the mountains and local food spots along the coast. What do you recommend? My stay is only 3 days. Thanks

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      August 13, 2021 at 11:18 am

      Hi James (a good name btw), I checked with some colleagues who are associated with the very good Maine Office of Tourism (visitmaine.com) and they suggested that with only three days, you concentrate on the Maine’s MidCoast area. Camden has the coastal food spots including everything from lobster shacks to fine dining, AND they have mountains. Mt. Battie Park and Mt. Megunticook in Camden Hills State Park have nice hiking trails and spectacular views of Penobscot Bay, Lake Megunticook, Cadillac Mountain and Bald Mountain. A second option is to stay along the southern coast and then in Portland – one of the best food cities in the country. Then go west for a day to Bethel in Western Maine. This mountain town is perfect for hiking and biking and beautiful fall foliage. You’ll find Maine beautiful in September – have a great trip!

      Reply
  20. Stephanie M says

    August 14, 2021 at 12:42 pm

    I’m planning on driving Route 1 and visiting towns on Maine coast in September.
    Are you able to drive into Nova Scotia or St. John’s, or catch ferry to get into any part of Canada?

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      August 16, 2021 at 8:11 am

      Hi Stephanie, September is a great time to visit Maine. You also should be able to enter Canada if you are fully vaccinated. To be certain that you meet the requirements for entry, go to this page: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/wizard-start Have a wonderful trip (I envy you)!

      Reply
  21. Kathleen Roberts says

    October 17, 2021 at 2:08 pm

    My husband and I are thinking of taking a last minute road trip from SC to Bar Harbor, ME , Oct 19, 2021. I love your suggestions for the Hwy 1 road trip up the coast. Will the lobster stands and lighthouses and museums still be open?

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      October 18, 2021 at 4:37 pm

      Hi Kathleen,
      Everything should still be open. That’s leaf-peeping season in Maine.
      Have a great trip!
      Jim

      Reply
  22. Rebecca says

    November 1, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    Born in Norway Maine, raised in Texas. Have lots of family in South Paris Maine and own 6acres of the original 600 acres. Never developed my small plot. I so love all that Maine has to offer. I’ve never traveled past Augusta inland, nor too far North of Portland. My Texas gkids, their mother and step dad, just bought 130 acres north of Bar Harbor, and inland about 5 miles off the coast, and another 5acres on the coast. They are slowly developing and hope to live there FT after the last gchild has graduated. I’ll be 70 by then. As much as Ive always hoped to develop my small inherited plot, it’s just not meant to happen. But, I’m so thrilled that my own gkids will enjoy Maine on a different level. They being born and raised in Texas, but, someday may live out their lives in Maine, where the Plummer’s began their American roots and the Hills came in hopes of better opportunities, over from Scotland. Maine will always be in me.

    No one has mentioned the Yankee Italian sub sandwich, whoopie pies, fresh baked blueberry anything, clam chowder. If you drive inland, West of Portland about 45 miles, you’ll come into Oxford, West and South Paris, Norway, and some beautiful falls, and other scenic scenes that direction. Visit Kennebunkport to view the little peninsula, where President Bushes extended family retreat often.

    I plan to drive up next summer, God willing, and take my then 82yo mother for one last visit to see family. We may just take our time and go up the coast to see all the towns mentioned in the article, and, hope to see the acreage the gkids are now blessed to have.

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      November 7, 2021 at 7:35 am

      Hi Rebecca,
      What a nice story. I hope you and your Mom have a wonderful trip.
      Jim

      Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      November 7, 2021 at 7:43 am

      Hi Rebecca,
      That’s a wonderful thing you’ll be doing with you mother. I hope you have a wonderful trip. Go explore about Maine with her!
      Jim

      Reply
  23. Lisa says

    March 16, 2022 at 6:07 pm

    How long would this Maine coastal drive take

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      March 17, 2022 at 10:30 am

      Hi Lisa,
      It’s an easy drive. It’s only about 170 miles from Portland to Bar Harbor, which is less than four hours if you drive straight through (which someone may want to do on one leg of the trip). I took my time and did it in three days,(stopping at a lot of places along the way) in June before the summer crowds create a lot of traffic. June and September are good months to go. I rate this as one of America’s great road trips.
      Jim

      Reply
  24. Kathie says

    April 7, 2022 at 2:12 pm

    In late May, my husband and I are planning to fly from Texas and spend a week celebrating our 50th anniversary traveling up the coast of Maine. Any other suggestions for us? (Maine is #1 on our bucket list)

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      April 8, 2022 at 11:53 am

      Hi Kathie,
      Congratulations on your 50th! I think you’ll have a wonderful time on the Maine Coast. It’s perfect for a road trip, although it is crowded in the summer months. June and September are good time to go without the crowds. I pretty much covered the places to go in the article. Have you considered taking a windjammer trip? They’re a lot of fun. And up in Bar Harbor take the LuLu Lobster Boat tour — also a lot of fun and quite interesting.
      Have a great trip!
      Jim

      Reply
  25. PJ Merrill says

    April 16, 2022 at 7:22 am

    So sorry you didn’t mention my home town of York Maine and the Nubble Lighthouse.

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      April 16, 2022 at 10:16 am

      I’m sorry PJ! But there are so many things to see in Maine we can’t include them all!
      Jim

      Reply
  26. Cam says

    April 19, 2022 at 10:04 am

    I’m pretty sure Cadillac isn’t the tallest mountain in the eastern US, that title belongs to a mountain in North Carolina. I believe Mt Katahdin, up in Baxter State Park is taller than Cadillac, too. Nevertheless, I can’t wait to visit Cadillac!

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      April 19, 2022 at 1:54 pm

      I hope you get to Maine soon, Cam
      Jim

      Reply
  27. F Green says

    July 8, 2022 at 7:47 pm

    A special time to visit Maine is in August, when the wild blueberries are being harvested. You will see people pulled off the road picking these delicacies.
    As a transplanted “Maineiac” , your article made me realize I’m overdue for a trip to my home state.
    A favorite spot to visit is the West Quoddy lighthouse in Lubec, This famous candy striped lighthouse is the Easternmost lighthouse in the USA. From there, you can cross the international bridge to Campobello. New Brunswick, Canada.

    Reply
    • Jim Ferri says

      July 12, 2022 at 10:16 am

      Hi Fran,
      How I envy you for heading back up Down East. And I love the term “Maineiac”! And also Maine’s wild blueberries. I wanted to see the West Quoddy lighthouse when I visited, and continue on to Campobello, but couldn’t fit it into my schedule. Maybe someday I’ll get back up there.
      Jim

      Reply

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