Bangor to Portland road trip - help!

Question

Hello! My husband and I are planning a trip to Maine in September and would love any insight into our drat itinerary. We’re big foodies (and walkers)so any and all recommendations welcome. We’ll fly into Bangor and rent a car.

Day 1 - fly into Bangor from Philly. Stay in Bangor overnight to visit friends.

Day 2 - drive to Bar Harbor in the AM. Bar Harbor/Acadia. Any recommends for food and places to stay? Scenic boat trip?

Day 3 - Acadia. Cadillac Mtn in AM of tix avail. Where else? Dinner in Bar Harbor. Are there lunch spots in Acadia or should we plan on bringing food or lunching in Bar Harbor?

Day 4- drive to Camden in AM. Stay in Camden that night. Visit Penobscot Bay/Mt. Battie in Camden. Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland. Meals?

Day 5 - drive to Pemasquid Pt. Lighthouse, visit Boothbay Harbor (lunch) and drive to Portland. Stay in Portland that night.

Day 6 - visit Portland Head Lighthouse. Anything else a must see or within short drive? Lobster Shack for lunch? Dinner and lodging recommendations?.

Day 7 - fly home from Portland.

Really appreciate any insights on anything we’re missing or if we’re attempting too much!

Answer

Nice itinerary — you’ve got a great Maine loop planned that hits the highs: Acadia, the Midcoast (Camden/Rockland), classic lighthouses and Boothbay, then Portland. It’s doable in your timeframe, but a few tweaks and practical tips will make it less rushed and more relaxed (especially around Acadia, where parking/reservations and crowds can eat up time). Below I walk through each day with food/walk suggestions, timing tips, and a few alternatives so you can tune the pace to your taste.

Important planning note (Cadillac / Acadia): Cadillac Summit Road uses a timed/vehicle reservation system in the busy season — if you plan to drive to the summit, you’ll want to secure the correct vehicle/time slot in advance (these sell out at peak dates).

Day 1 — Arrive Bangor

Use this evening to visit friends, stretch your legs along the Penobscot Riverwalk if you want a gentle walk, and get groceries/snacks for the next day. Bangor has a growing food scene (casual seafood, pub fare) — keep dinner low-key since Day 2 is a driving day.

Day 2 — Drive Bangor → Bar Harbor (AM); afternoon/evening in Bar Harbor

Drive time: ~1–1.5 hours to Bar Harbor (allow more time if you stop in Ellsworth for coffee/gas).
Check into your lodging, then consider a late-afternoon scenic boat cruise (lighthouse/puffin or nature cruise) or a sunset bay cruise — both are a lovely way to see Frenchman Bay without a long hike. Bar Harbor Whale Watch and several local operators run whale, puffin, and lighthouse cruises; book in advance in September if you can.
Food: Bar Harbor has casual seafood shacks and sit-down restaurants — for a relaxed evening try local lobster or seafood; for a classic Acadia treat, consider Jordan Pond House popovers if you visit the Jordan Pond area another day (a popular spot—plan for a wait or a reservation on busy days).

Day 3 — Acadia National Park (Cadillac AM if reserved) & Bar Harbor dinner

If you have a Cadillac reservation for the morning (sunrise or daytime), factor in park parking and arrival times. If you didn’t reserve Cadillac, an early start (or doing Cadillac later with a reservation) reduces crowds. (See reservation note above.)
Other Acadia highlights to combine with Cadillac: Park Loop Road scenic stops, Sand Beach & Ocean Path (great coast walk), Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond (short walks and the popovers), and some carriage-road walking or a short hike (e.g., Great Head Trail or Ocean Path segments).
Lunch options: you can bring a picnic into the park (very convenient) or return to Bar Harbor for lunch — both work. Parking near hot points in mid-day can be tight, so bringing lunch gives you more flexibility.
Dinner in Bar Harbor: reserve if you want a specific restaurant for dinner; many places fill in September evenings. If you prefer casual, a lobster roll or a seaside shack is perfectly Maine.

Tip: Acadia is best enjoyed by prioritizing 2–3 things each day rather than trying to do everything in one day — pick the Cadillac/one coastal walk and a carriage-road or short mountain trail so you don’t feel rushed.

Day 4 — Bar Harbor → Camden (drive AM); Mt. Battie & Rockland/Farnsworth

Drive time to Camden: plan ~2–2.5 hours (allow stops along the Midcoast if you like).
In Camden: Mt. Battie in Camden Hills State Park is a short, rewarding climb (or drive partially up and walk) with panoramic views of Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay — excellent for photos and a gentle hike/walk.
Rockland / Farnsworth Art Museum: If you like American art (particularly works connected to Maine), the Farnsworth is an excellent stop and is conveniently close to Rockland’s lobster wharves and galleries — a very pleasant afternoon visit. Consider checking hours and allowing ~1.5–2 hours.
Meals: Camden has several highly regarded waterfront restaurants (reserve for dinner if you want a popular spot — Natalie’s at the Camden Harbour Inn, Peter Ott’s, and other well-reviewed choices). If you prefer casual, Camden has seafood shacks and cafés for lunches.

Day 5 — Camden → Pemaquid Point → Boothbay Harbor (lunch) → Portland

Morning: Drive south to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (beautiful rocky promontory and classic lighthouse photography). The site includes a small visitors’ setup and a fishermen’s museum; it’s a lovely, fairly quick stop.
Continue to Boothbay Harbor for lunch — Boothbay has many waterfront restaurants and options for boat trips; if you want a classic Maine clambake experience, family-run Cabbage Island clambakes (boat ride + island clambake) run from Boothbay in season and are a memorable splurge if available.
After lunch, continue the drive down to Portland (allow ~1.5–2 hours from Boothbay depending on stops). Plan to arrive in Portland in the evening and pick a dinner spot in the Old Port (book ahead for popular restaurants in September).

Day 6 — Portland area: Portland Head Light + lobster lunch + city food

Morning: Visit Portland Head Light and Fort Williams Park — it’s one of the most iconic lighthouses in New England with shoreline walks, a small museum/gift shop, and excellent photo ops. The park is a short drive from downtown Portland (allow 30 minutes or less).
Lunch: For an iconic lobster-shack experience near the lighthouse, The Lobster Shack at Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth) is a classic choice with great views; in town, there are many excellent seafood restaurants and lobster-roll specialists (Eventide Oyster Co., Bite into Maine, Highroller Lobster, etc.).
Afternoon/evening: Walk the Old Port waterfront, explore local shops, or squeeze in a short harbor cruise. For dinner, Portland is a food-lover’s town — consider making a reservation at a standout place (many top restaurants take reservations weeks in advance in fall). If you want to keep it easier, many great casual spots do walk-in service.

Day 7 — Fly home from Portland

Allow extra time for returning your rental and airport security. If your flight is later in the day, squeeze in a short morning walk along the Eastern Promenade or a last coffee in the Old Port.

Overall pacing and “too much?”

Your plan is busy but well balanced if you’re comfortable with several driving days and short stops. If you’d like a slower pace, consider: (A) skip one midcoast stop (for example, either Boothbay or a longer Rockland exploration) or (B) add one extra night in Camden or Portland so you can savor the food scene without a tight drive on Day 5.
If you love food, be sure to book a few dinners in advance for Camden and Portland (popular spots fill quickly in September). For casual lobster-shack experiences, arrive slightly early or expect a short line at the popular shacks. For boat cruises (whale/puffin/lighthouse) try to book in advance for Bar Harbor and Boothbay as well.

Practical tips & packing

Parking / crowds: Acadia and Bar Harbor can get crowded; arrive early to popular trailheads or use timed Cadillac reservations.
Weather & layers: September can be warm daytime but cool mornings/evenings — pack layers and a lightweight rain shell for coastal wind or showers.
Timing food: For lunch in Acadia, carrying a picnic makes sense if you want to maximize time in the park. For dinners in Camden/Portland, reserve when possible.
Driving times: Allow buffer time between stops — scenic detours, ferry/boat boarding, and walking/photo stops can add time.

Quick list of recommended bookings to make now

Cadillac Summit Road vehicle/time slot (if you plan to drive the summit).
Bar Harbor whale/puffin/lighthouse cruise (popular operators book up).
Farnsworth Art Museum (check hours in advance if you’re tight on schedule).
Any special Boothbay clambake or Cabbage Island booking (if you want the island clambake).
Portland dinner reservations for popular restaurants if you have must-eat places (Portland fills fast in September).

Bottom line: Keep your current route — Bangor → Bar Harbor/Acadia → Camden/Rockland → Pemaquid/Boothbay → Portland — it’s a classic, highly rewarding Maine loop. The only “must” to lock early is the Cadillac reservation (if you want the summit) and any popular boat/cruise or restaurant reservations. Slow the pace by dropping one midcoast stop or adding one night if you want more relaxed foodie-and-walking days, otherwise your plan is ambitious but very doable.

Have a fantastic trip — September foliage and seafood make this one of the best times to visit Maine!