Driving tour of Maine

Question

Hi all. We are from the UK and been to USA many times but not the West coast. We hope to drive from Boston and looking at 9-10 days touring around Maine. We are really easy on when we can travel (ie month of year) We like to explore towns, love scenic views, eat good food and have a few drinks in the evenings. I have no idea on routes to take etc so I’m just putting this out there for some inspiration to get me started. Looked on the web but that as always takes you down a rabbit hole !!

Thank you in advance for any info given.

Cheers

Answer

A 9–10 day driving tour of Maine from Boston can be a fantastic mix of coastal scenery, charming small towns, outdoor adventures, and great food and drinks. Maine is best explored slowly, taking in the coastline, lighthouses, and quaint towns, along with the occasional forested inland detour.

Here’s a suggested itinerary that balances driving with sightseeing, good food, and relaxed evenings:

Day 1: Boston to Portland (~2 hours)
Arrive in Portland and explore the Old Port district with cobblestone streets, local shops, and seafood restaurants. Enjoy lobster rolls, fresh oysters, and a craft beer or two in the evening. Consider a casual walk along the Eastern Promenade for coastal views.
Day 2: Portland to Kennebunkport (~40 minutes)
Drive up the scenic Route 1 along the coast. Explore Kennebunkport’s quaint town center, art galleries, and waterfront. Take a short coastal walk or visit the beaches. Evening drinks at a local pub or harbor-view restaurant.
Day 3: Kennebunkport to Camden (~2.5 hours)
Continue north along Route 1 with stops at picturesque towns like Bath and Rockland. Camden offers a charming harbor, boutique shops, and a scenic walk up Mount Battie for panoramic views of Penobscot Bay.
Day 4: Explore Mid-Coast Maine
Spend the day in Camden, Rockport, and Rockland. Take a lighthouse tour (Marshall Point, Owls Head) or enjoy a short boat tour. Sample local seafood and enjoy a relaxed evening in town.
Day 5-7: Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor (~3 hours from Camden)
Drive to Mount Desert Island. Spend a few days exploring Acadia: loop roads, Cadillac Mountain sunrise, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, and easy trails suitable for leisurely walks. Bar Harbor has excellent seafood restaurants and pubs for evening relaxation.
Day 8: Drive along Downeast Maine
Head toward Lubec or Eastport for a quieter, off-the-beaten-path coastal experience. Stop at small fishing villages, lighthouses, and enjoy local seafood. Stay in a charming inn or B&B.
Day 9: Return south via Bangor or Bangor to Boston (~5-6 hours)
Optionally stop in smaller inland towns or along the coast for lunch, scenic breaks, or short hikes. Take it easy and enjoy the scenery on your drive back to Boston.
Optional Day 10: Extend your trip to explore inland Maine, like the Moosehead Lake region or the Rangeley Lakes area, for forested scenery, moose spotting, and more relaxed drives.

Additional tips:

Best months for this tour are late May to mid-October—summer for warmer weather and October for fall foliage. Fall is quieter and less crowded.
Book accommodations in advance, especially in coastal towns and Bar Harbor, as they fill quickly.
Try local specialties along the way: lobster rolls, fresh clams, blueberry pies, and craft beers.
Keep daily drives manageable (2–3 hours on average), allowing plenty of time for scenic stops and exploration.
Bring layers, as Maine weather can change quickly along the coast.

This itinerary gives a good mix of charming towns, scenic drives, coastal hikes, and local dining, while keeping the pace relaxed enough to enjoy Maine’s natural beauty and culinary delights.

Driving tour of Maine

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