On the lookout for a scenic drive via New England? This Boston to Maine street journey itinerary will assist you plan your coastal journey!
There is no such thing as a higher method to discover New England’s sandy seashores, coastal cities, and plush forests than a street journey!
This Boston to Maine street journey takes you up via Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine as you journey to Bar Harbor and Acadia Nationwide Park.
The itinerary consists of historic cities, coastal gems, and all the long-lasting New England sights corresponding to lighthouses, museums, seashores, islands, and extra.
Get able to breathe in that contemporary sea air and really feel the cool breeze as you embark on a scenic drive from Boston to Maine!
Try our 3 Days in Boston Itinerary that will help you plan your keep within the metropolis.
How lengthy is a Boston to Maine street journey?
The precise period of a Boston to Maine street journey is dependent upon your vacation spot! Maine is the most important state within the New England space, and there’s a number of floor to cowl.
So if you happen to’re driving from Boston to Kittery, a city on the very southern tip of Maine, the drive is only one hour and covers about 60 miles.
You may make some stops in northern Massachusetts and New Hampshire alongside the way in which, however Boston to southern Maine would nonetheless solely be a couple of hours at most.
However if you happen to had been driving from Boston to Van Buren, a small city on the northern tip of Maine, the drive is nearly 7 hours and covers about 430 miles.
So it’s about 6 hours to only drive the size of Maine!
How lengthy is a Boston to Acadia Nationwide Park street journey?
For this Boston to Maine street journey itinerary, the ultimate vacation spot might be Acadia Nationwide Park. That is the most well-liked street journey route from Boston to Maine. Not many vacationers head additional north than Bar Harbor except they’re road-tripping as much as locations in Canada corresponding to Nova Scotia or New Brunswick.
Acadia Nationwide Park is about midway up the coast of Maine. To drive straight from Boston to Acadia Nationwide Park, it’s 4.5 hours and 275 miles.
For this coastal New England street journey, the period is about 7 hours and 320 miles together with all of the beneficial stops. The street journey can take even longer if you happen to select so as to add extra locations or spend a good period of time in every place.
Regardless of how lengthy you select to make your street journey, you’ll be able to fly into Boston Logan Worldwide Airport, hire a automobile, and hit the street! Boston has a number of automobile rental locations everywhere in the metropolis as nicely if you happen to’re not flying in.
One of the best ways to get round is to hire a automobile and discover by yourself! We advocate Rental Automobiles, which has the most important vary of automobiles for the most effective worth in the marketplace.
When is the most effective time of 12 months for a Boston to Maine street journey?
Summer season and autumn are the most effective instances to finish any New England street journey. As you head north from Boston, temperatures get cooler so summer time has the most effective climate for out of doors actions.
New England has a number of lovely lakes, seashores, mountain climbing trails, islands, and bays. Summer season may have the nicest temperatures for swimming, mountain climbing, tenting, exploring, and taking boat excursions. Summer season can also be the busiest time of 12 months for a New England street journey, however it’s value braving a couple of crowds to have heat and sunshine.
Autumn can also be a surprising time of 12 months to street journey from Boston to Maine. Temperatures will begin to cool off, which is nice for mountain climbing. Plus, you’ll get to witness some magnificent fall foliage as you drive via the forests!
Winter in New England is freezing and filled with snow and ice. Driving situations usually are not superb in winter, except you’re skilled at driving within the snow and you’ve got a sturdy, 4WD automobile well-equipped for winter.
New England remains to be lovely in winter, and people on the lookout for ski and snowboard locations might desire to do their street journey within the snow season. However for a coastal Maine street journey, summer time and autumn are positively the most effective instances to journey.
Boston to Maine Street Journey Itinerary
So let’s dive into the Boston to Maine street journey itinerary! We’ll embody all the most effective locations to cease on the way in which from Boston to Bar Harbor.
Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia Nationwide Park, so both of those will be your last vacation spot. After all, you’ll be able to proceed to street journey additional north and discover extra of Maine and Canada! However northern Maine will get very distant, so for this street journey we’ll simply be specializing in Boston to Bar Harbor and Acadia Nationwide Park.
Boston
Because the capital metropolis of Massachusetts, Boston is the most important metropolis in New England. It’s additionally one of the well-known cities within the USA. Because of its American historical past, common sports activities groups, distinctive neighborhoods, and charming waterfront, Boston has a lot to supply vacationers.
Earlier than you embark in your New England street journey, spend a couple of days having fun with the wonders of Boston!
Stroll via the historic Faneuil Corridor Market and seize a contemporary lobster roll or seek for souvenirs. Observe the Freedom Path and take a look at the historic websites that performed a significant position within the USA’s combat for independence. Have a picnic in Boston Frequent, cruise across the metropolis on an academic Boston duck tour, or catch a present within the theater district.
Sports activities lovers can attempt to catch a recreation at one of many iconic sports activities venues in Boston. Try a Boston Celtics recreation or Boston Bruins recreation at TD Backyard or go to the well-known Fenway Park for a Pink Sox recreation.
Discover extra issues to do in Boston with our full information!
The place To Keep In Boston
Earlier than your street journey from Boston to Bar Harbor and Acadia Nationwide Park, spend a minimum of a couple of days soaking within the historical past and tradition of Boston. Listed below are some top-rated locations to remain.
Funds – Vacation Inn Categorical
One of many extra reasonably priced lodges close to downtown Boston is the Vacation Inn Categorical. Positioned in Cambridge, this funds resort is conveniently situated close to the New England Aquarium, the Bunker Hill Monument and Boston Frequent.
Mid-Vary – Hilton Boston Park Plaza
A 4-star resort within the theater district of Boston, the Hilton Boston Park Plaza gives accessible luxurious for vacationers. It’s proper within the coronary heart of the town and has beautiful rooms geared up with all of the facilities you want for a cushty keep.
Luxurious – The Newbury Boston
Should you’re on the lookout for some actual luxurious earlier than you drive from Boston to Bar Harbor, take a look at the Newbury. An beautiful, 5-star property with elegant design and unbelievable facilities, the Newbury is correct in Again Bay and is a wonderful place to spend a couple of days within the metropolis.
Salem
- Distance from Boston: half-hour
- Driving time: 22 miles
From Boston, it’s time to start out heading north in direction of Maine! Earlier than leaving Massachusetts, cease within the northern metropolis of Salem for an attention-grabbing historic journey via time.
This coastal metropolis is greatest recognized for its legendary Salem Witch Trials of 1692, a interval of hysteria that led to the execution of twenty people accused of witchcraft.
Right now, Salem embraces its eerie previous with quite a few museums, historic websites, haunted ghost excursions, and annual occasions that entice guests from world wide. Study in regards to the craze of witchcraft on the Salem Witch Museum, the Witch Dungeon Museum, or the Witch Historical past Museum.
Artwork lovers have to take a look at the Peabody Essex Museum, one of many oldest constantly working museums in the USA. With roots relationship again to 1799, the Peabody Essex Museum has an enormous assortment of artwork and cultural artifacts from completely different centuries and areas across the globe.
Different historic landmarks to take a look at in Salem embody the Home of the Seven Gables and the Salem Maritime Nationwide Historic Website. These showcase Salem’s maritime historical past slightly than its witchcraft historical past. However as you’ll be able to see, Salem is an incredible place to go to for these fascinated by artwork, historical past, and spooky tales!
Hampton Seaside
- Distance from Salem: 45 minutes
- Driving time: 37 miles
As you proceed north into New Hampshire from Salem, it’s value stopping in Hampton Seaside in the course of the summer time months!
This common seaside vacation spot in New Hampshire is thought for its vast, sandy shores and vibrant boardwalk. For New Englanders on the lookout for a seashore getaway in summer time, Hampton Seaside is without doubt one of the greatest choices.
This bustling seashore space attracts guests with its full of life ambiance, that includes a mixture of leisure, eating, and procuring choices. There are arcades, bars, seafood eating places, memento retailers, and sights for folks of all ages.
You too can go swimming, browsing, jet-skiing, or strive all kinds of water sports activities. Simply keep in mind, the Atlantic Ocean is fairly chilly in New England! Even in summer time, the ocean could be very chilly, however it feels nice on a sizzling summer time day.
Hampton Seaside is unquestionably a seasonal city and plenty of issues are closed outdoors of summer time. So you could wish to skip this cease if you happen to’re doing the New England street journey earlier than or after the summer time months.
Learn subsequent: The Final 3 Days in New York Metropolis Itinerary
York
- Distance from Hampton Seaside: 26 minutes
- Driving time: 23 miles
Now that you simply’ve crossed the border from New Hampshire into Maine, you can begin exploring the most effective Maine seashores, coastal cities, lighthouses, and sights.
York is without doubt one of the oldest cities in the USA. It was established in 1638 and is wealthy with colonial historical past. Try the well-preserved buildings in downtown York such because the Jefferds Tavern and the long-lasting Outdated York Gaol.
Different notable landmarks in York embody the distinguished Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse, which is one among Maine’s most photographed lighthouses.
York Seaside can also be one of the well-known Maine seashores, so it is a excellent place for a seashore day in summer time! York Seaside is definitely made up of each Lengthy Sands Seaside and Quick Sands Seaside, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing. Quick Sands Seaside additionally has a captivating boardwalk with retailers and eateries.
You too can discover some cool arcades, museums, eateries, retailers, and historic buildings round York. It’s a beautiful place to cease as you street journey via Maine.
Portland
- Distance from York: 45 minutes
- Driving time: 44 miles
The subsequent vacation spot is Portland, Maine probably the greatest locations to go to on any Maine coast street journey. The long-lasting metropolis is thought for its craft breweries, nice meals, creative ambiance, and beautiful Casco Bay surroundings.
Those that like to eat and drink may have a blast exploring this foodie metropolis! You may pattern among the greatest Maine craft beer and even be a part of a culinary strolling tour. All of Maine has wonderful lobster rolls, however Portland is a good place to pattern some contemporary Maine lobster.
Apart from meals, downtown Portland is stuffed with cool sights. The Portland Museum of Artwork is the most important and oldest artwork museum in Maine. The Portland Observatory gives panoramic views of the town and coast, and the Outdated Port District has lovely retailers, eateries, and charming cobblestone streets.
A sightseeing trolley tour is a enjoyable and interactive method to sightsee and be taught in regards to the historical past and tradition of Portland!
These hoping to discover nature can enterprise out to Cape Elizabeth to walk or bike via the greenery of Fort Williams Park. Right here you can too discover the Portland Head Gentle. As Maine’s oldest lighthouse, the Portland Head Gentle is an iconic landmark in New England.
You too can get nice views of the lighthouse and the close by islands from the water on a sundown kayak tour or a sundown cruise in Casco Bay. Portland can also be an awesome place for a whale watching cruise between the months of Could and October.
Try the greatest issues to do in Portland, Maine for extra concepts!
The place To Keep In Portland Maine
There may be a lot to see and do in Portland, Maine that you could be wish to spend a couple of days right here. It’s additionally conveniently situated close to the center of a Boston to Bar Harbor street journey, so that is the proper place to take a break from driving and discover one among Maine’s most well-known cities. Listed below are some locations to remain in Portland, Maine!
Funds – La Quinta By Wyndham Portland
La Quinta by Wyndham gives reasonably priced lodging proper close to the hustle and bustle of Portland, Maine. It has free parking, free wifi, a swimming pool, a health heart, and extra!
Mid-Vary – Portland Regency Lodge & Spa
Positioned within the iconic Outdated Port District of Portland, Maine, the Portland Regency Lodge and Spa is simply steps away from the waterfront. Along with wonderful rooms, the 3-star resort has a health centre, steam rooms, sizzling tubs and a full-service day spa so you’ll be able to keep relaxed throughout your journey.
Luxurious – The Press Lodge
The Press Lodge, Autograph Assortment is a 4-star resort in downtown Portland, Maine. With a refreshingly fashionable design and a handy location within the historic district, right here you’ll be able to deal with your self to an upscale resort room throughout your Maine adventures.
Tub
- Distance from Portland: 37 minutes
- Driving time: 35 miles
From Portland, Maine, proceed your street journey north! Tub is a beautiful place to cease in Maine for anybody who’s on the lookout for charming cities on the rocky shoreline.
Tub, Maine, is a picturesque city with a number of wealthy maritime heritage. Located alongside the Kennebec River, Tub is sometimes called the “Metropolis of Ships” as a result of its lengthy historical past of shipbuilding, which continues to thrive as we speak on the Tub Iron Works.
Guests can discover the city’s nautical legacy on the Maine Maritime Museum, which gives fascinating displays and boat excursions. The Maine Maritime Museum showcases shipbuilding artifacts, maritime artwork, and historic vessels.
The city’s historic downtown space options fantastically preserved Nineteenth-century structure, quaint native retailers, inviting eating places, and scenic views.
Learn subsequent: 10 Unbelievable Issues to Do in Montreal, Canada
Boothbay
- Distance from Tub: 35 minutes
- Driving time: 23 miles
Proceed alongside the coast of Maine into Boothbay, one other beautiful coastal city recognized for its bustling Boothbay Harbor.
With colourful lobster buoys, historic buildings, and sweeping views of the ocean, Boothbay Harbor is a small however cozy vacation spot on the wild Maine coast. The realm is ideal for out of doors adventures together with kayaking, crusing, and whale watching.
Get the most effective views of the islands and wilderness surrounding Boothbay Harbor on a lighthouses and islands harbor cruise. Or admire the tender pastels of sundown on a calming sundown sail. Both approach, getting out on the water is a should in Boothbay Harbor!
Contemporary seafood makes its approach into Boothbay Harbor daily, so indulging in a lobster roll at Boothbay Lobster Wharf is one other must-do.
For many who are extra fascinated by historical past, take a look at cool native landmarks just like the Burnt Island Lighthouse or the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. Put a enjoyable twist in your sightseeing by becoming a member of a haunted ghost strolling tour, the place you’ll be able to hear about pirate tales and go to historic websites just like the Admiral’s Quarters Inn, Harbor Home Inn, and the Opera Home.
Bristol
- Distance from Boothbay: 40 minutes
- Driving time: 24 miles
From Boothbay Harbor, proceed up the east coast of Maine in direction of Bristol. This serene city on the Pemaquid Peninsula is thought for its pure magnificence and laid-back ambiance.
The city is residence to the long-lasting Pemaquid Level Lighthouse, one among Maine’s most photographed lighthouses, perched dramatically on rugged cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Guests can discover the grounds of Pemaquid Level Lighthouse, climb the tower for panoramic views, and find out about its maritime historical past on the close by Fisherman’s Museum.
Pemaquid Seaside Park close by gives sandy shores excellent for swimming and picnicking, whereas close by Pemaquid Seaside is thought for its lovely sunsets and tidal swimming pools filled with marine life.
You may uncover extra of Bristol’s historical past on the Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Website, the place the stays of a Seventeenth-century English settlement and fort present a glimpse into Maine’s early colonial historical past.
The quaint village heart of Bristol options historic buildings, charming retailers, and native eateries serving contemporary seafood. Bristol Harbor can also be a picturesque spot for watching lobster boats and having fun with waterfront eating.
Camden
- Distance from Bristol: 55 minutes
- Driving time: 35 miles
Drive about an hour north of Bristol, and make one other cease in Camden, Maine. Generally known as the “Jewel of the Maine Coast”, Camden is an lovely city nestled between the Camden Hills and the Penobscot Bay.
Camden Harbor is the middle of the city. Full of sailboats and yachts, Camden Harbor is a postcard-perfect location that captures the essence of coastal Maine.
The downtown space can also be extremely charming. Spend a while strolling across the scenic streets and trying out the retailers, galleries, and eateries. You may even attend a present on the Camden Opera Home or e book a ship cruise via the harbor.
Try the close by Camden Hills State Park for some contemporary air and greenery, which options over 30 miles of mountain climbing trails. Mountaineering lovers can tackle the favored trek to the summit of Mount Battie, which gives epic panoramic views of Camden Bay and surrounding islands.
Learn subsequent: 9 Spectacular Should-Do Day Journeys From Boston
Bar Harbor
- Distance from Hampton Seaside: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Driving time: 76 miles
After about an hour and 45 minutes, you’ve reached Bar Harbor, the Gateway to Acadia Nationwide Park. Positioned on Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor is surrounded by the sapphire waters and rugged islands of the Maine coast. It’s a very beautiful spot that may impress you earlier than you even head into the nationwide park!
Earlier than exploring the wilderness of Acadia, get in contact with the historical past and tradition of the city. Begin on the West Road Historic District, a well-preserved assortment of Gilded Age historic structure that’s on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.
LaRochelle Mansion is an iconic landmark on West Road. You may be taught in regards to the mansion and the opposite important locations from a neighborhood information on a historic guided strolling tour!
Meals lovers can be a part of a culinary strolling tour of Bar Harbor, and historical past lovers can go to the Abbe Museum to be taught in regards to the Wabanaki Nations and the Native American heritage of Maine.
These extra fascinated by exploring nature can stroll alongside the scenic Shore Path that winds alongside the coast, or you’ll be able to go kayaking and paddleboarding via Frenchman Bay. There’s something for everybody in Bar Harbor!
The place To Keep In Bar Harbor
On the finish of your Bar Harbor street journey from Boston, you may have a couple of choices for the place to remain. As Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia Nationwide Park, many vacationers will simply keep in Bar Harbor for a couple of days and discover the park in the course of the day.
You might additionally simply cross via Bar Harbor and spend a couple of days tenting at one of many registered campgrounds in Acadia Nationwide Park. However if you happen to desire extra fashionable facilities and luxurious on the finish of your Maine coast street journey, listed here are some locations to remain in Bar Harbor.
Funds – Bar Harbor Villager Motel
Keep proper within the coronary heart of Bar Harbor on the Bar Harbor Villager Motel. With free breakfast and a heated out of doors pool, you’ll be amazed on the facilities and low cost costs right here!
Mid-Vary – Bar Harbor Manor
This elegant and historic manor has landscaped gardens and a visitor parlor with a fire, offering a comfortable and heartwarming ambiance. Bar Harbor Manor is situated inside strolling distance of all of the native sights as nicely.
Luxurious – Sand Bar Cottage Inn
Simply 800 metres from the seashore, Sand Bar Cottage Inn is a 4-star resort that feels extra like a house. The country inn has glorious workers and all of the facilities you want for a calming keep in your journey to Bar Harbor.
Acadia Nationwide Park
- Distance from Bar Harbor: 5 minutes
- Driving time: 1 mile
Acadia Nationwide Park, situated totally on Mount Desert Island on the Maine coast, is famend for its beautiful pure magnificence and numerous landscapes. Established in 1916, it was the primary nationwide park east of the Mississippi River.
Acadia Nationwide Park is without doubt one of the most pristine wilderness areas in Maine and is stuffed with attractive forests, granite peaks, and rugged coastal views.
One of the well-known options in Acadia Nationwide Park is Cadillac Mountain, the best level alongside the North Atlantic seaboard. Right here you’ll be able to hike to the highest and be among the many first folks in the USA to see the dawn from October to March. It’s a good suggestion to finish the dawn hike with a neighborhood information, or you can too do the hike in the course of the daytime as nicely.
Acadia’s intensive community of trails and carriage roads gives ample alternatives for strolling, mountain climbing, biking, and horseback using. Should you’re not an enormous hiker you can too simply drive via Acadia Nationwide Park and admire the surroundings from the automobile. Guide an audio information so you’ll be able to make sure you hit the most effective spots!
Acadia Nationwide Park can also be residence to a wealthy array of wildlife. Guests would possibly encounter white-tailed deer, peregrine falcons, and a wide range of marine life alongside the park’s rocky shores.
The park’s tide swimming pools and coastal waters present a habitat for quite a few species, making it a first-rate location for wildlife commentary and images.
DISCLAIMER: A few of the hyperlinks on this article are affiliate hyperlinks, which suggests if you happen to e book lodging, excursions or purchase a product, we are going to obtain a small fee at no further value to you. These commissions assist us preserve creating extra free journey content material to assist folks plan their holidays and adventures. We solely advocate the most effective lodging, excursions and merchandise that ourselves or our implausible editorial crew have personally skilled, and repeatedly assessment these. Thanks to your assist, form buddy!