I'm planning a driving tour this summer with husband and 2 kids. Main destinations are Boston, Bar Harbor ME and Burlington VT. I don't want to be driving more than 5 hours a day, so need advice on the Bar Harbor to Burlington route. What's the best route, and is there any place to stop in between that's interesting? Thanks.

thank you for your visit to new york maine. the best way to go to the green mountian state is to take the road less traveled by.Using your"time in the car with your loved ones"to five hours it is recomended that you get a good road atlas,map and a GPS or if your a tightwad that thing with a dial and a pointer that points north. The way west is is blocked by the results of the last ice age.so you may have to go north to go south.Most of the tourists follow the ugly fed rts.meander from the MDI heading west(north to Bangor)when it gets late and the sun is sinking down in front of you,look for a place to rest.If the sun is behind you as it sets yoou are lost. If on the way you do not find any thing of "interest"even after asking a local yokal,get on the 95 or the 93 and head south.

The drive from Bar Harbor to Burlington Vt. will be a very long one - going east to west in this part of the country is very slow due to the mountains. Though I've never done it, I think route 2 may be your best route, which you can pick up in Maine. There will be dozens of scenic villages you will be passing thru, with lots of remote woods and some farmland along the way. I would suggest at least one night in the White Mountains of NH. Jackson and Bethlehem are both nice towns. In Vermont, there is of course Stowe, the ultimate charming ski town.
You may want to research finding a farm b&b, which can be a very relaxing and scenic place to spend a night or two.

It looks like rt 2 is your best bet. If your children are young, there's Santa's Village in Jefferson NH or you can stay in the Conway area and visit Storyland. A big favorite with young families. If your children are older, you can find alpine slides, many hiking trails, the gondola ride up Cannon Mtn. Walking thru The Flume and other White Mountain tourist attractions. But I think it would be a major miss if you didn't detour slightly to visit the Lakes Region of NH. You can get more info on the New England area if you visit Yankee Magazine's website www.newengland.com.
However, you could spend several weeks on the Maine coast alone.

Many thanks for everyone's advice, well appreciated since I've never been in that part of the country before. Will definitely consider NH.

Here's an alternative to No.2 that's a little more scenic and is probably a few miles shorter, athough it will take a little longer because of the magnificent mountain drive across Hwy 112 from Conway to Woodsville, NH. On your road map, follow these highways west in succession out of Bar Harbour: 3, 1, 3 west to 202, 202 all the way to Lewiston and Auburn, then 11 west to Mechanic Falls, Crescent Lake and 302, 302 west to N.Conway NH. N. Conway is a good area to stop and shop (lots of outlets) and lots of scenery. Total: about 200 miles. Next day 302 south to Conway, 16 west (just a couple of miles) from Conway to 112, 112 west through the mountains to 302 west of Bath, 302 west to Barre, then 62 west to I-89, then north to Burlington. Total about 145 miles. Hwy 112 is a drop-dead fabulous trip, and really shouldn't be missed if you're in the area. When you get to N.Conway the first day, if you're feeling adventurous, you can always slide up to Mt Washington (about 25 miles) and take a run to the top, although I wouldn't recommend doing it in MY car.

DES

Route 2 is the most direct and will take you 6-1/2 to 7 hours with no stops. To me, Route 2 is every bit as scenic as Route 112. One problem with Route 112 (also known as the Kangamangus Highway, and it's no highway) is that there are long, long stretches with no passing, which means you have to crawl behind all the RV's for miles.

Oh djkbooks,
It's only 32 miles...what's a little exhaust? 8^)

For the record, they're both beautiful. The Kancamagus (note that the "n" has disappeared) is more remote. And there is a real treat at the lower falls area. If it's warm, it's a good place to swim...a natural waterslide.

I read somewhere on this forum that drive throught Notchland on 302 was a more scenic than rt. 112 in New Hampshire. I'm debating which way to go through this area as well. My travel books all say to go through the Rt. 112 so, I am a little unsure of which is the better way.I don't mind a little traffic but, I can't do both.Do you recommend Rt.112 over Rt.302?

The ride through Notchland and Crawford Notch on Route 302 is spectacular. It's my favorite of the three routes mentioned.

I grew up in the area and agree that 302 is a more scenic drive than 112. Conway/Jackson NH would be a good place to stop and spend the night. If you have time to drive a little further, there are a couple motels in the Bethlehem/Littleton region, or hop on I-93 north to St. Johnsbury, VT where you'll have some more choices. Hope on Route 2 west in St. Johnsbury to Burlington. Have fun!

Well, I'm not going to let this go. I was the one that suggested Rte 112 and in my view it knocks 302 into a cocked hat. Let me ask--what is there on 302 to compare with the drive from Conway west? St Johnsbury is, frankly, a dump from a traveller's point of view, and there are few overnight accommodations of any acceptable standard. Trisha, your guidebooks don't advocate following Rte 112 for the sheer hell of it. As for Rte 2, it is to yawwwnnn. . . Sorry, djkbooks and bm, been on 112 lately? You really don't have to follow the rv's a whole lot.

DES

Davidess, you sound adamant about the Rt. 112 and my guide books have stars by it , never mentioning Rt.302. It was only this forum that I even heard of Rt.302 so, I thought I was getting some insider information.I'm staying in Jackson for the night so, I could go either way. I may opt for the Rt.112 because, I do want the best scenery and can put up with some slow travel if I have to. Do you recommend Jackson as a place to stay for the night? Any, hotel suggestions?Thanks, for you information.

Trisha,

I think there are more scenic views on the Kancamagus, but 302 is none too shabby. No matter which way you go, you can't lose.

I've got to agree with Davidess, St Johnsbury is, frankly, a dump from a traveller's point of view.

As for where to stay in Jackson, the sky's the limit. I've never stayed, but would love to try the Wildcat Inn & Tavern sometime. Then there's The New England Inn, Christmas Farm Inn, Eagle Mountain House to name a few.

Is anyone going to warn mdiaz6 that she might have to worry about carsickness?