Maine, USA
300km, 5hrs driving
Take the scenic coastal route between these two awesome New England towns.
This drive takes you along the beautiful Maine coastline. Starting in Bar Harbor, we take a short but very worthy detour through Acadia National Park. We then start heading southwest along the Atlantic Highway through quaint New England towns including Camden and Rockport. The drive ends up in the amazing city of Portland.
▐ Bar Harbor to Portland
(~300km, ~5hrs)
Click on thumbnails for enlarged image:
Navigational Google Map:
Bar Harbor to Portland
Major Roads
U.S. Route 1 – 
(Acadia Highway, Atlantic Highway)
Interstate 295 – 
▐ Bar Harbor to Portland (~300km, ~5hrs)
Maine, also known as ‘Vacationland’ by some, is a beautiful state filled with some terrific scenery. Bar Harbor and Portland are two of the states biggest and most popular towns. There are a few options to get between them, but driving along the coast will be the focus of this itinerary, with a detour to ensure you see at least some of the beautiful Acadia National Park.
Start off in Bar Harbor 
and head north to the Acadia National Park Hulls Cove Visitor Center 
if you need a permit to the park. From here, head south down Paradise Hill Rd, then make your way to Park Loop Rd. You can stop off at many locations as you drive along, so take the opportunity to stop and enjoy the views wherever you feel like it. There are huge boulders and cliffs along the ocean that are met with beautiful forests all the way along. A stunning drive even if it is just the drive itself. If it is a clear day, make sure you head up to the Cadillac Mountain Summit for a great view. Otherwise, head out of the park along Eagle Lake Rd. Transfer onto Main St where you will run into the Atlantic Brewing Company 
. Its a fun little place, with a nice variety of beers to taste. The Blueberry Ale is one of their staples, tapping into Maine’s famous blueberry production.
As you make your way north, you pass through a great selection of lobster shacks and cafés. When you approach Ellsworth, it is time to transfer onto the Acadia Highway . This portion of the road isn’t the most exciting, its once the road becomes the Atlantic Highway where it starts to shine. Once you pass the Penobscot Bridge near Verona Island, hugs the coastline all the way to Rockland. You will pass the beautiful New England towns including Belfast, Camden, and Rockport 
. It’s a great idea to stretch your legs in Camden, and have a short walk around the marina and main street. Otherwise, continue straight onto Rockport. It’s a smaller version of Camden, but just as pretty. Depending on what time of day it is, an amazing pitstop that should be considered is the Flatbread Company 
. They have a great range of delicious wood fired pizzas, as well as a great selection of local beers on tap.
The drive continues through the town of Rockland 
, Wiscasset, Bath and Brunswick, any of which can be a great place for a night’s stay. After Brunswick, links up with and you will find yourself in Portland 
within the hour.
Drively Planet 