Grab a lobster roll at the Lobster House (right by the beach), and hopefully you can get a table outside. Real Estate & Homes For Sale - 9286 Homes For Sale | Zillow The 110-mile road trip from Boston to Portland takes 1 hour 45 minutes to drive. Of course, you can drive straight through in under five hours, but there is so much to see on the Maine coast. How far is Boston from Maine - driving distance - Trippy By early May the governors office was inundated with mail from both supporters and opponents of the states pandemic response. The total straight line flight distance from Boston, MA to Maine is 176 miles. That makes them excellent places to learn about the founding of America. You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. Once youve added in detours and stoppages, this road trip is likely to take longer than a day. That can happen, you know! Governor Mills would not disclose whether her security protocol was heightened after the segment aired. She also noted that some Mainers were against relaxing restrictions she assured both groups that her reopening plan was based on fact and science. The plan was also designed to be flexible in case the pandemic eased or worsened. Road Trip From Boston to Acadia National Park And Bar Harbor Im Tamaraand Im an obsessive travel planner who incorporates unique cultural experiences, fun outdoor adventures, local foods, and boutique accommodations into each of our trips. For a meal that can't be beat, head out to the hotel's very own BlueFin North Atlantic Seafood Restaurant to enjoy some of the finest seafood you're likely to try. From Portland, you can also take a day trip to Freeport, about 20 minutes north of Portland. It definitely has its own vibe that is really fun to experience. Famous for being the headquarters of L.L. Love American food? Every road trip will be unique, meaning that the distance you travel will vary. There are lots of shops and restaurants to choose from, as well as Ogunquit Beach to enjoy. The important thing is to decide whether you want to visit natural beauty spots, historical monuments, big cities, or a mixture of all three. It is good to base yourself in this region for at least two to three nights, broken up between two or more destinations. With that said, the city looks divine once the snow has melted and the greenery starts to bloom again. This is another great little area that you can easily see in just a few hours, and is also the perfect place to grab a bite to eat, or pick up a snack for your drive from Boston to Portland. Im the creator and writer behind New England Wanderlust, and my passion is sharing my knowledge on the very best things to do and see in New England, and beyond. If youre feeling like taking some amusement park few rides, head over to Palace Playland. Stops along 2 different routes include Bear Brook and Hampton Beach State Parks, Old Orchard Beach Pier, Canobie Lake Park, Salisbury Beach State Reservation, and Salem. On this drive, youll pass through charming small towns in Massachusetts, visit the best coastal town in New Hampshire, and then begin your drive up the coast of Maine, stopping in some amazing seaside destinations with lots of character and fun things to do. The drive will likely average about 2 hours one-way on a weekend without any stops, and if you carefully choose and plan which stops you want to make on your way to and from Portland, and are strategic with your time, you can definitely do it as a day trip. The Ultimate California Road Trip Itinerary: 7 Days. This is the perfect chance to round off your trip and end it on a high. In that same entry she also wrote that her day was one of relief and success she had been working to convince the US Food and Drug Administration to allow the Maine-based animal diagnostics company IDEXX Laboratories to produce and sell a COVID-19 test kit. This is an awesome destination to stop in when driving Boston to Portland, Maine, especially if youre hoping to hear the sound of the craving waves. Of course if you are going all the way to Bar Harbor, you will want to spend some time downtown and walking along the Shore Path along Frenchmans Bay. Close to the beach, youll find a small amusement park and mini golf places, too. September 21, 2022. However, since Ive been whale watching many times, on this trip I opted for a puffin cruise with Capn Fish out to a wildlife preserve on Eastern Egg Rock instead. President Trump seemed to acknowledge the incident in a Twitter post, using it to criticize the governors pandemic leadership. By then a total of fifty-seven residents had died and more than 1,100 virus cases had been confirmed in Maine, including hundreds at long-term care facilities around the state and about two dozen at two urban homeless shelters. September 21, 2022 10 Best Stops To Make When Driving From Boston To Portland, Maine (2023) Driving From Boson to Portland, Maine is one of the best road trips to take in New England because there's so much you can see in a very short amount of time. Boston to Maine - 4 ways to travel via train, bus, and car - Rome2rio The best place to stay in Rockland is 250 Main Hotel. As the names of the towns imply, these were founded by the English as soon as they arrived in the New World. Your Boston to Maine road trip doesnt need to end once you reach your final destination. Another day trip option is to take a ferry to Vinalhaven, which is known for its beautiful scenery, rocky coast, and granite quarries. Click here to book your stay at Cliff House in Cape Neddick! 1. Most people who make this journey want to take their time. Heres my list of things to check out in York and Cape Neddick during your drive: Looking to do on a lighthouse road trip through Maine?Click here to read about my itinerary for the best Maine lighthouse driving tour! A Maine coast road trip should be on everyones bucket list. In Perkins Cove, you can take in the view of the incoming fishing boats from the Footbridge, or take a 1.25-mile stroll along Marginal Way, past stately inns and rocky beaches. Janet Mills had been in office only a year when the pandemic struck. She also imposed a mandatory quarantine period of fourteen days for out-of-state visitors. When I visited, I almost felt as if I was transported to an old-timey state fair, in a good way, of course. If you dont want to stay in town, you can also enjoy a car-free couple of nights at the Inn at Diamond Cove on Great Diamond Island. Recommended option Bus via Portland, ME 2h 22m Take the bus from Boston South Buses to Portland, ME 54 / . Distance from Boston, MA to Maine - Travelmath It ends in the state of Maine. Id highly recommend a scenic drive around Cape Arundel, although it will cause some serious house envy! Take in the views at the Bald Head Cliff. If passing through while driving Boston to Portland, Maine, I suggest seeing these things in Rockport: Click here to read my guide on all the best things to do in Rockport! Walk along the shores of Ogunquit Beach, which has 3 miles of pristine sand. She insisted that she was never afraid for her safety. I labeled Rockport as optional because to get there, youll have to veer a bit off-course from your drive to Portland. Planner; Trip Cost; Itinerary. Your first stop in Maine is just across the border in Kittery. As short as the drive is, the road trip from Boston to Portland can keep you occupied for days on end. If youre from the south, then you probably dont realize just how cold it can get up there. But you do need to a pay $20 per car parking fee. This route takes a bit longer to drive, coming in at 140 miles and taking 2 hours 10 minutes to drive. How far is Boston from Maine - Distance Calculator If you are looking for a great lobster roll nearby, head down to the water at Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company. For some great lobster with a view, go to Lukes Lobster on the wharf. Rockland is the Art Capital of Maine, a bustling town with art museums, galleries, shops, and restaurants on a working waterfront. LIKELY TO SELL OUT*. Feel like a kid again at Pirates Cove Adventure Mini Golf. In Boston the southernmost point on this road trip winter temperatures can drop as low as 40F (-5C). But what kind of a road trip would that be? (2023). America is a vast patch of land that requires time to fully understand. I get a call this evening from the FDA guys assistant, a woman who is from Maine, telling me that the [emergency authorization] has been approved. Finally, stop by Scarborough Fair State Park before getting onto Interstate 295 and reaching Portland. His writing and explorations have brought him to various locations, including the colonial towns of Mexico, the bustling chowks of Mumbai, and the majestic Southern Alps of New Zealand. Before you set off, though, its important to do your research. 24 Best Things To Do On Cape Cod In The Fall 2023 (Ideas For September, October & November! Of course, if you have even more time, you can always add in stops in Salem, Gloucester, Portsmouth, or Newburyport on your way up to Maine. Visit one of the beaches (Goochs and Mothers beaches are my favorites in Kennebunkport). We recommend staying overnight at least once along the way, turning this into a two-day drive, perhaps over the weekend. Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Toms Cabin and member of the Underground Railroad, lived and worked in town and herhouseis now a designated National Historic Landmark. There are 4 ways to get from Boston to Maine by bus, train or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. The total driving distance from Boston, MA to Union, ME is 185milesor 298kilometers. While most of these suggestions are directly on the way while driving from Boston to Portland, Maine, it will add some extra time, so youll want to factor that into your driving time. It ends in the state of Maine. This is the easiest way to see how long the distance really is. Eat in Maines best restaurants. Ive eaten at Barnacle Billys in Perkins Cove and it was fine, but there are probably better options in the area. Now that you know how to plan the perfect road trip driving Boston to Portland, Maine, I hope youve begun to plan your own adventure! If you would rather stay in Camden instead of Rockland, the Lord Camden Inn is right in the center of everything, while the Camden Maine Stay Inn will be a bit quieter and laid back. I tell her she doesnt know how many lives she has just saved, including thousands right here in Maine. Later that week Governor Mills announced that the state planned to buy enough of the IDEXX test kits to more than triple its virus testing capacity. Two of the main towns along the North Shore, Salem and Rockport, are suggested above. You could also just drive straight to Portland and spend all your time there. Theyre all very easy to spend a few hours in before moving on, and depending on how much time you have, you can either do half of them on your way to Portland, and the other half on your way back, or eliminate any that youve done before, or dont have any interest in. With a drive this short, you can take off at virtually any hour and make it to Portland in time to do something fun in Portland. You can also try nearby Goose Rocks Beach or Colony Beach. Subscribe to Travel Snippet newsletter for free travel tips and inspiration. In terms of natural beauty, youll want to stay near the coast for glimpses across the great Atlantic Ocean. Ive got you covered!Click here to check out the best prices on Discover Cars! Route 66 is perhaps the most famous but at almost 2500 miles (almost 4000 km) in length, this isn't feasible for most people. Dont be surprised to find the parking lot full and the wait for food an hour long in high season. Here's the quick answer if you drive this relatively short distance without making any stops. This drive can take anywhere from 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours and 15 minutes without any stops, and it all depends on traffic. Copyright 2013 - 2023 Red Giant Media, LLC. Whether you want to explore Hawaiian islands or drive from coast to coast, there are endless wonders to be discovered. Then, be sure to visit Salisbury Beach State Reservation, North Beach, and Hampton Beach State Park before reaching Portsmouth. Just keep in mind that Maine tends to be a very seasonal state, as in many seafood shacks, as well as some restaurants and shops, will begin to close after Labor Day (most stay open through Columbus Day weekend, and some stay open year-round). 7 Reasons We Think It Is, Marvel at the Victoria Mansion in Portland, Wander through the Portland Museum of Art, Learn history at the Maine Maritime Museum. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms. Its subject was a lone seagull flying fiercely behind an unseen boat. Coastal Highway U.S. 1 (Maine) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go The best way to discover the beauty and uniqueness of Vacationland is with a Boston to Bar Harbor road trip along the Maine Coast. Looking to do on a lighthouse road trip through Maine? 15 Stunning Stops on a Boston to Bar Harbor Road Trip Itinerary Lobsters and lighthouses. Driving Distance from Boston, MA to Maine - Travelmath This post is all about the best places to stop on when driving Boston to Portland, Maine, and in each destination, Ill share all the best sites to see, restaurant recommendations, and the best places to stay overnight. Next up is Manchester - explore the city and get on Route 101, passing Bear Brook and Pawtuckaway State Parks. Prefer culture? Whichever way you spin it, it won't take more than four hours to drive to Portland and back, so consider taking one route on the way there and the other during the return trip. In addition to the large company store and L.L. Give yourself about an hour to get from Giants Stairs to Boothbay Harbor. Families love Old Orchard Beach not only because it has a gorgeous, flat, wide beach, but kids also love the rides at Palace Playland and the arcade games at the pier. ), but if youre looking to cut out a few stops, I think places like Ogunquit, Portsmouth, Rockport, etc. Hi there! If you are looking to stay overnight in this area, the York Harbor Inn is perfectly located right across from the town park and the entrance to the Cliff Walk. Cross the Piscataqua River to enter Maine, then stop by Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge before taking a break in Biddeford. Boston to Portland, Maine: A Road Trip Itinerary (2023) My favorite place to stay is the Addison Choate hotel, which is only a 10-minute walk to Bearskin Neck, and offers really beautiful rooms to stay in. The best way to discover the beauty and uniqueness of Vacationland is with a Boston to Bar Harbor road trip along the Maine Coast. It ends in Union, Maine. If you have more time to stay in the area or prefer a quieter town versus Boothbay Harbor, Damariscotta has a very cute but small downtown. Why am I angry. Each of these towns is also pretty much on the direct route from Boston to Portland, with minimal diverging off course. There are some accommodations that can fit a family, but families may prefer a resort such as Nonantum Resort, just south of town and on the water, even if not on the beach. Road Trip From Boston To Portland, Maine - LazyTrips The good thing about this trip compared to, say, an Arizona desert road trip is that youll never be too far from a town. You can pick your favorite to be your final destination. Do you need to rent a car to take this amazing drive? In order to plan your trip, you need to decide exactly where to stop along the way. From town you can also take a whale watching cruise. Here's the quick answer if you drive this relatively short distance without making any stops. This is one of the most unique lighthouses in New England, as its very ornate in its design. All opinions are my own. Walk Marginal Way from town in Ogunquit, which ends in Perkins Cove, a small little village in Ogunquit. She sat in a small room on the opposite side of the building, studying a painting by Jamie Wyeth that the artist had loaned her. Want to keep driving up the coast of Maine? This article will help you make your Boston to Maine road trip as epic as possible. This little hidden gem offers seafood fresh off the boat that you can enjoy at picnic tables overlooking the harbor. The best thing to see is Old Orchard Pier right at the beach. This hotel is a grouping of individual cottages that are uniquely decorated, and youll get to pick which one you want to stay in when you make your reservation. My first stop is usually at Bobs Clam Hut, just north of the Kittery outlets on Route 1. The total driving distance from Boston, MA to Maine is 196 miles or 315 kilometers. You'll experience the east coast food - like lobster and seafood - and take in the beautiful Maine lighthouses that still guide the ships along the rocky coastline. Portsmouth is one of my favorite towns in New Hampshire, and one of the best coastal destinations in the state. If youre into the founding of this great nation, though, then it all begins in the northeast. Ensure your car is fitted with snow tires and always carry a shovel to dig yourself out of trouble. But, I personally suggest about 4-5 days if you have an interest in seeing as much as possible on the drive, and also want a day or two to explore Portland.