Staff Pick

Road Trip Maine Coast – Portland to Bar Harbor, Route 1

Portland Bar Harbor
290
km
4h30
drive
All seasons
season

The Itinerary

The Maine Coast between Portland and Bar Harbor is one of New England's most picturesque road trips: Route 1 follows a succession of bays, lighthouses, fishing villages and islands reached by ferry or causeway. This is American lobster country — every town serves it.

Portland, the former capital, is famous for its revitalised Old Port, the iconic Portland Head Light (1791, the country's most photographed lighthouse) and a celebrated food scene. North: Freeport (LL Bean flagship store, open 24/7), Brunswick, Bath (Maine Maritime Museum), then Camden with its crescent harbour overlooking Penobscot Bay.

The climax is Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island: Park Loop Road (44 km), Cadillac Mountain summit (the first place in the U.S. to see sunrise in winter), Sand Beach and Echo Lake, and iconic Thunder Hole. Bar Harbor, a Victorian resort town, serves as base with its restaurants, ice cream shops and historic hotels.

Points of Interest

  • ✦
    Portland Head Light
    1791 lighthouse, America's most photographed, coastal park.
  • ✦
    Camden Harbor
    Crescent harbor, schooners, Mount Battie panorama.
  • ✦
    Acadia National Park
    Park Loop Road 44 km, Cadillac Mountain, pink granite cliffs.
  • ✦
    Cadillac Mountain
    First place in the US to see sunrise in winter.
  • ✦
    Bar Harbor
    Victorian resort town, lobster, whale watching cruises.
Practical info
  • Departure Portland
  • Destination Bar Harbor
  • Distance 290 km
  • Duration 4h30
  • Category Long (250–500 km)
  • Best season All seasons
Themes
national-park coast Lighthouse lobster Fall route-1 village maine

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