RoadAtlas
Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States — Scenic
North America

Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor

United States

Point-to-point
Portland Bangor

In short: Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor is a 482 km scenic road trip in United States, typically driven over 4 days, best in May–Oct. Highlights: Portland, Freeport, Bath.

Distance
482 km
Duration
4 days
Best Season
May–Oct
IconicEasyScenicEV-friendly

A four-day US Route 1 coast trip through Portland, Bath, Pemaquid, Rockland, Camden, Acadia, and Bangor. The literary connection is an optional Bangor coda; the route itself is a classic Maine coast drive.

~0 refuels
~1 charge
Practical notes
Check Acadia current conditions and buy the park entrance pass before arrival. A separate Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservation is required May 20–October 25, 2026, is sold online rather than at the park, and does not replace the entrance pass. Summer US 1 traffic, fog, and limited island parking make the free Island Explorer useful.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Southern Maine Coast (Portland to Bath)

Portland Head Light · Maine Maritime Museum · Fore Street

Day 2Midcoast Maine (Pemaquid Point to Camden)

Camden Hills State Park · Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park · Primo

Day 3Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor

Park Loop Road and Ocean Path · Cadillac Summit Road · Jordan's Restaurant

Day 4Penobscot Narrows and Bangor

Penobscot Narrows Observatory · Bangor waterfront and Paul Bunyan · Timber Kitchen & Bar

Stops along the route

Portland — Departure — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
Departure
Portland
Maine's largest city and an unlikely food capital with more restaurants per capita than New York. The Old Port and Eastern Promenade overlook Casco Bay.
Hotels
Bath — City — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
City
Bath
The City of Ships. Bath Iron Works has built destroyers here since 1884; the Maine Maritime Museum covers nine acres of shipbuilding history.
Hotels
Rockland — City — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
City
Rockland
The self-proclaimed lobster capital of the world hosts the Maine Lobster Festival each August. The Farnsworth Art Museum holds the finest Wyeth collection.
Hotels
Camden — City — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
City
Camden
Maine's most picturesque harbour, home to a fleet of Windjammer schooners. Camden Hills State Park rises directly above the waterfront.
Hotels
Bar Harbor — City — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
City
Bar Harbor
The gateway town on Mount Desert Island. The Bar tombolo connects to Bar Island at low tide; whale-watching boats leave from the town pier.
Hotels
Bangor — Arrival — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
Arrival
Bangor
Stephen King's home city and gateway to Maine's wild north. Once the lumber capital of the world, marked by a 9-metre Paul Bunyan statue.
Hotels

Things to Do

Freeport — Landmark — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
Landmark
Freeport
Home of the LL Bean flagship, open 24 hours every day since 1951. The outlet village sprawls around it on a classic Maine main street.
Pemaquid Point — Landmark — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
Landmark
Pemaquid Point
The 1827 lighthouse on a dramatic ledge of faulted granite, one of the most-painted and most-photographed spots on the Maine coast.
Penobscot Narrows Bridge — Landmark — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
Landmark
Penobscot Narrows Bridge
One of only three bridge observatories in the world, 120m above the Penobscot River, with panoramic views of the Maine coast and interior.
Acadia National Park — Nature — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
Nature
Acadia National Park
Pink granite peaks plunge into the Atlantic. Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the US to see sunrise from October to March.
Portland Head Light — Historic Site — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
Historic Site
Portland Head Light
Historic lighthouse offering picturesque ocean views and a museum detailing its storied past.
Maine Maritime Museum — Museum — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
Museum
Maine Maritime Museum
Exhibits on Maine's maritime heritage, including shipbuilding and sea trade, with interactive displays.
Show 2 more
Camden Hills State Park — Nature — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
Nature
Camden Hills State Park
Offers hiking trails with panoramic views of Penobscot Bay and the surrounding mountains.
Acadia National Park — National Park — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
National Park
Acadia National Park
Expansive park featuring rugged coastline, forested trails, and the iconic Cadillac Mountain.

Where to Eat

Fore Street — American — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
American
Fore Street
Renowned for its wood-fired dishes and farm-to-table approach, offering a seasonal menu in a rustic-chic setting.
Eventide Oyster Co. — Seafood — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
Seafood
Eventide Oyster Co.
Famous for its fresh oysters and inventive seafood dishes, served in a modern, casual atmosphere.
Primo — Italian — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
Italian
Primo
Farm-to-table dining with an on-site farm, offering Italian-inspired dishes in an elegant farmhouse setting.
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights — Seafood — Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor — United States
Seafood
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
Iconic spot serving fresh lobster rolls and seafood with stunning ocean views from picnic tables.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor drive?

The Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor covers 482 km from start to finish.

How long does the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor take to drive?

Most travellers spend 4 days on the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor?

The recommended season for the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor is May–Oct.

Where does the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor start and end?

The Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor runs from Portland to Bangor.

What are the main stops on the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor?

The Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor passes through Portland, Freeport, Bath.

How difficult is the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor to drive?

The Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor in a regular car?

Yes — the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor?

Plan around 0 refuels (or about 1 EV charges) along the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor, based on its 482 km length.

Is the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor EV friendly?

Yes — the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor safe to drive?

Check Acadia current conditions and buy the park entrance pass before arrival. A separate Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservation is required May 20–October 25, 2026, is sold online rather than at the park, and does not replace the entrance pass. Summer US 1 traffic, fog, and limited island parking make the free Island Explorer useful.

What scenic tier is the Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor?

The Maine Coast to Acadia and Bangor is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.