Mt washigton Auto Road - Bar harbor and back to Boston

Question

Hello ,

I am planning trip for fall foliage starting with Boston. First Day we will plan to visit Mt washigton Auto Road and reach to summit . we usually spend whole day there and leave around 4 pm from there. so in evening I am planning to drive to bangor and next day visitng bar harbor ,cadilac mountain summit . spend time there and in evening head back towards portland and stay some where near portland. Next day planning to drive back to boston.

My question is I have two kid one is 7 year old and 3 year old. Me and my wife enjoy driving but some what we believe it will be hard for us to keep them busy in car as colors are mostly drive and enjoy.

do you guys think we should make trip to bar harbor or just visit mt washigton auto road and near by areas enjoy colors and drive back.

Please provide your suggestion

Answer

Your planned trip from Boston to Mt. Washington Auto Road and then on to Bar Harbor is certainly doable, but with young children (ages 7 and 3), you’ll want to balance the amount of driving and sightseeing so everyone enjoys the trip without feeling restless. Here are some considerations and suggestions.

First, the drive from Mt. Washington to Bangor takes roughly 2.5–3 hours. Adding Bar Harbor and Cadillac Mountain the next day introduces additional driving time and activities that might feel rushed for the kids. While the fall colors are beautiful along the route, much of it is enjoyed from the car, which may not be engaging enough for a 3-year-old in particular.

Here are a couple of options to consider:

Option 1 – Full itinerary including Bar Harbor:
Drive to Mt. Washington Auto Road, spend the day at the summit enjoying the views and short walks. Leave around 4 pm and drive to Bangor, overnight there. Next morning, drive to Bar Harbor and visit Cadillac Mountain and the surrounding areas, then head toward Portland for the night before returning to Boston.

Pros: You see both iconic destinations, enjoy coastal Maine, and maximize fall colors.

Cons: This involves a lot of driving with young kids, long car stretches, and tight timing. You may need frequent stops for breaks and snacks to keep the kids comfortable.
Option 2 – Focused on Mt. Washington and nearby areas:
Drive to Mt. Washington Auto Road, enjoy the summit, and explore nearby scenic areas such as Crawford Notch State Park or North Conway for a short hike or lunch. Skip Bar Harbor on this trip. Drive toward Portland in the evening for a more relaxed overnight stay before returning to Boston.

Pros: Less driving, more flexibility, kids get breaks, and the trip is less stressful.

Cons: You miss the coastal Maine experience and Cadillac Mountain views.

Suggestions for keeping kids occupied in the car:

Bring tablets or portable DVD players with headphones.
Pack snacks, drinks, and a few small toys or books.
Plan for scenic pit stops every 1–1.5 hours for stretching and short walks to enjoy the colors up close.
Audio books or kid-friendly music playlists can help keep the car environment enjoyable.

Considering your children’s ages, option 2 may be more practical and enjoyable, letting you fully savor Mt. Washington and the nearby fall scenery without making the trip overly long or stressful. If you are determined to see Bar Harbor, consider extending the trip by an extra day or two to allow for a more relaxed pace and make the drives more manageable for the kids.