Is there much between Quebec City and Bar Harbor Maine?
 

My wife and I will be driving from Quebec City, Canada to Bar Harbor, Maine in mid July. We do not know what the distance is. Is it reasonable to drive the distance in one day? If not where are good places to visit between Quebec City and Bar Harbor. <BR>

Shawn, <BR> <BR>Looks like you should be taking route 201 from Quebec...that'll take you into West Forks. Just past (2-3 miles?) West Forks is an area called The Forks. Look for signs or ask the locals for directions to Moxie Falls. It's a nice, easy hike to a series of very nice waterfalls. This area is famous for good fishing and great white water rafting. Once you get to Skowhegen, get on Rt. 2 East. Get on I-95 at Newport to save time. When you get in the Bangor region there are plenty of signs to get you to Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Island (commonly referred to as MDI). And Mount Desert is pronounced like something you'd eat, not something camels roam around in! WARNING!!! Once you get to Bangor, expect slow going traffic all the way to Bah Hahbah. The "Bar Harbor road" from Bangor is one of the most irritating drives around. If you're going to be in the area a while, I recommend buying the "Maine Atlas and Gazatteer". Excellent, detailed maps of the state of Maine. If you drive it straight, it should take you 6-8 hours, depending on the traffic from Bangor to Bar Harbor, which can be downright hideous on Fridays and visa-versa on Sundays. One last thing; don't even THINK of driving to Bar Harbor on July 4th unless you've got PLENTY of time on your hands! For a more serene and just as scenic time in Acadia, travel over to Winter Harbor; it has a fraction of the tourists and is officially a part of Acadia National Park. <BR> <BR>Bo

The most direct route is mostly countryside. But, the scenery is gorgeous, particularly along Route 201 in Maine starting in Jackman. Most of the towns along the way are tiny and very rural. You may wish to take a slight detour over to Moosehead Lake, which is spectacular, and have a meal along the lake in Greenville, where there are many good restaurants. Six to eight hours is a good estimate of time, depending on how many stops you make. <BR>