Cathy9

I am looking for advice on "must-see stops" on a driving trip from Florida to Maine. However, I can skip the Keys, Miami, Orlando, Washington DC, New York City, and Boston. By that I mean I can drive through those cities if needed, but have spent time in each and don't need to see the sights there again. I am looking to rent a car in Florida or Georgia, traveling north somewhat along the coast (while seeing sights and hiking a bit), drop the car in Maine and fly home. I am flexible with time of year a bit. I was thinking Sept or Oct so the summer vacationers are mostly gone. I really don't need to start in Miami and end in Bar Harbor (it is not my goal to drive the entire east coast). And, I guess I could go the other way too - Maine to Florida. But could possibly catch the fall colors if I end up in the north. Hopefully this will be about a 10 day trip and I will probably be with a couple more 50 year old women. I would love to hike a bit, but mostly day hikes because of varying abilities. And, maybe it just doesn't make sense to drive all the way into the Parks just for a day hike. In either case I'm flexible and could just stop at historic sites or fun locales the whole way too. I think it is reasonable to spend 4-5 hours a day in the car. If possible, sight see in the morning/afternoon and then drive over dinner time to the next city.

DebbieDoesDulles

It would be nice to start in Maine because mid-Sept weather is usually glorious, but if you'd rather hit the fall colors you'll need to book accommodations early (mid-May?) because the first ten days of October are very popular with leaf-peepers, bus tours etc.

With just 10 days though I would probably fly up to New England, visit Bar Harbor, Southern Maine beaches, Boston, maybe the Cape or Newport RI.....and then fly home. If you're looking for a "road trip", that itinerary will include plenty of driving.

emalloy

The advantage of starting in Maine at that time of year is that along the coast it will still be warm and the lobster shacks etc. will still be open. By the middle of October it is getting quite cool and many places will have closed for the season. Also, by the end of the trip it will be starting to get cooler in the south.

You could do a total coast trip and visit places like Portsmouth, NH, Rockport, MA, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Newport, RI, Stonington, CT, Cape May NJ, Chincoteague, VA, Virginia Beach, VA, the Outer Banks, NC, Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA, St. Augustine, FL.

Or you could do the coast in the north then head for Amish country in PA, stop at Gettysburg, Harper's Ferry, down the Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Pkwy, etc.

Either of these could be much more than 10 days, but with a bit more planning you could do part or all on the drive.

Ackislander

Seconding emalloy's recommended places.

If ten days is a real limit, you have problems. Five of your days would be behind the wheel.

Consider flying to Baltimore and getting the car there.

Day 1, Wilmington, DE, for Longwood Gardens and the Winterthur Museum.
Day 2, Brandywine Valley to Valley Forge (west of Philadelphia)
Day 3, New Hope, PA to Mystic, CT
Day 4, Stonington, CT to Portsmouth, NH
Day 5, Portland, Maine
Day 6 Conway, Pinkham Notch, NH to Bethel, ME
Day 7 Sabbaday Falls to Camden, ME
Day 8 Rockland, ME and Olsen house
Day 9 coastal Maine and villages south to Brunswick
Day 10 Fly home from Portland

Cathy9

Thank you DebbieDD, emalloy, and Ackislander. You have given me locations I never would have considered. I love the variety and suggestions! I've seen Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's so that will help on time. After seeing this, I think I'll skip Georgia and Florida since they are easy to get to at a different time. We are not stuck on 10 days; I just thought it would be a reasonable amount of time to be gone. I'm hearing I may be trying to stuff too much in. I am starting research now and will start getting some hotels in Maine just to beat the rush. I'm so excited for any of these itineraries - it's just what I was looking for! Thank you!

Gretchen

It's fine to do the mid-Atlantic on up east, but then if you thought about the southeast it could be the coast from Wilmington, NC south to Charleston, Savannah, Beaufort, etc. for an entirely different kind of experience.

emalloy

If you go down to Cape May in NJ you can take the ferry to Lewes DE and then continue down the DELMARVA to the Bay Bridge, with a stop in at Chincoteage/Assateague to see the ponies.

BritishCaicos

Coincidentally, we have driven from New Orleans to Maine all the way up the coast but over 12 seperate two week trips, spanning 15 years.

The American East coast just gets under our skin, NYC admittedly less so but the culture changes up the coast, so much over such short distances.

My advice to your proposed route is - don't do it.

Choose one location - my choice would be Charleston.

Rent a house, put your feet up and sink into the local culture.

Driving 6 hours a day on US interstates is wasted time, you'll have a really good view of, invariably, trees.

Cathy9

***Do either of these sound a bit more sane? Which is most desirable?

Fly to Boston, but don't need time there. Then ME, VT, CT, NH, RI, are all within my reach.

OR:

Fly to Baltimore. I'm revisiting Ackislander's itinerary from above... I suppose I don't have anytime for Philly unless I extend my trip?

OR:

Fly to Baltimore/Philly and then I have DE, NJ, VA, MD, and Philly to explore (skip DC because we've been there).

I'm so glad I posted this question. I love that BritishCaicos has 24 weeks invested in the east coast. I've only seen the big cities.

emallory - do you know if the ferry takes cars and how long the ride is?

emalloy

Cathy9'

Yes, the Cape May/LewesDE ferry takes cars I think it takes a couple of hours, but that's a guess. Just google Cape May ferry and you will be able to see sail times, fares, etc. If you go to/from the bay bridge/tunnel there is a toll $9 last time I took it.

DebbieDoesDulles

In regards to your new "sane" choices, with #1 be sure to check on nonstop flights into Manchester NH, Burlington VT or Portland ME as they are all easier airports than Boston Logan. Southwest has lots of flights into Manchester and Jet Blue flies to Portland & Burlington.

When you "search forums" these days a lot of ads pop up at the top, but scroll down and you'll find eons of discussions about New England visits with lots of different ideas. Anytime after Labor Day is great but if you really want to see "color" you'll want to lean towards the first of October.

http://www.fodors.com/search/results...ch=New+England

JulesRme

To:Cathy9 from march21 2017,
Just registered, what a pain,just wanted to respond to you,about the trip Florida to Maine, Driving from Miami to Maine for my friend in Maine, with his new car, I live in Fort Myers and will pick up his new car in Miami, I could use the company, and am in good health for say hiking, exploring a bit. So I don't know if you will get this, my system warned me not to use this site, so I hope it's safe, Respond if you may be interested in sharing the drive.

Warmest regards,
Julie