Need more specific details about the coastal roads from Boston to the Bar Harbor area. We are going to fly into Boston and slowly make our way up the Maine Coast. The designated driver (only because she is the only one that lives in a big city and is the most experienced) recalls how in Colorado she panicked when she looked over the side of the mountain. Are there any areas of concern along this route for the squeamish

The "coastal" roads up that way aren't always as scenic as you might imagine, and aren't of the cliffside nature. Mostly Route 1 (I assume this is the road you mean) meanders through every little town on the way. LOTS of traffic, going really slow.

We drive from PA to Bar Harbor/Acadia every year or 2, and usually use 95 as much as possible-any destination in Maine is far superior to driving there!

There ARE some slightly scary mountain-side roads IN Acadia, however.

~Liz

Maine is about the easiest place you'll ever drive through....you don't need a "big city" designated driver to get you through Maine. If you're spending any time around Boston, however, even the best driver in the world isn't going to get through it without getting frazzled.

Liz, We will do the PA (Phila) trip mid-Sept. How long does the trip take?

JerryM,

We're also in the Phila. area, and we've not good at long drives. We get to Portland the first day-maybe 7 hours of actual driving?-and then a half-day to Bar Harbor the second day.

We really enjoy Portland for an evening, and then stopping at LLBean the next morning.

~Liz

If you look at the map of Maine, you will see that US 1 actually is inland most places from the scenic coast, which is a series of peninsulas for most of the state, beginning around Brunswick.

While there are some very attractive towns on the main highway, you really need to get off onto the side roads to see what people love about Maine.

So when you say you are making your way slowly, you are being realistic if you want to see the real Maine.

When I was planning my trip to Maine in 2006, I was warned a lot about slow moving traffic along Route 1 but we experienced no traffic, no crowds, and specifically took Route 1 to see all little Maine towns. Only time we took 95 was on our way back (traveling from Bangor to Portland to catch a flight). We visited in the spring though, and were there in an 'off' season. I definitely wouldn't visit Maine and only take 95.