In July, we embarked on a summer road trip along the coast of Maine. We spent one full week enjoying sunset sails, swimming along the Atlantic shoreline, and eating all the lobster we could find! I hope this guide inspires you to plan your own visit to the coast of Maine, or maybe even your own Maine summer road trip!
Snapshot
7+ DAYS
Best TIme to Visit – June through August for the best weather, October for fall foliage
Weather – Highs of 70-80F in the summer with cooler evenings
Getting Around – Rental Car
Nearby Airports – Boston Logan (BOS), Portland International (pdx)
Kennebunkport (2 nights)
A coastal town with the best beaches
Kennebunkport was our first stop on our road trip. We flew into Boston Logan Airport, picked up our rental car, and drove 1.5 hours north to Kennebunkport. The Kennebunkport area is charming if a bit touristy. We enjoyed the beaches here the most out of our road trip stops and we also loved walking through the neighborhoods to view the homes (read: mansions). This stop ended up being one of our favorites of the trip! Read more in our complete Kennebunkport guide here.
Portland (1 night)
The most populated city in Maine with an incredible food scene
Portland is only a 30-minute drive from Kennebunkport and was our second stop of the trip. After leaving manicured Kennebunkport, Portland definitely felt a bit more gritty. However, Portland grew on us throughout our stay. Note: Make reservations in advance as restaurants tend to book up fast. We ended up putting our name in and waiting multiple hours each night to get a table. Read more in our complete Portland, Maine guide here.
Camden (2 nights)
A seaside town with a picturesque harbor
Camden is about a 2-hour drive from Portland, however, we found it was worth it to take our time winding our way up the coast. We stopped in Owl’s Head State Park and took a pleasant walk to the lighthouse. McLoon’s Lobster Shack was another worthwhile stop (where we ate our favorite lobster roll of the trip – it’s not to be missed!) Camden itself is small, though we found there was a lot to do! Read more in our complete Camden guide here.
Bar Harbor (2 nights)
The gateway to Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor is located on Mount Desert Island, approximately 2 hours northeast of Camden. Bar Harbor felt quaint although overcrowded. The beautiful July weather and proximity to Acadia National Park made it tolerable for us. We spent mornings and evenings exploring the town and full days hiking inside Acadia. Tip: If you plan on visiting more than one National Park within 12 months, I highly recommend purchasing an entrance pass. This will save you time entering the park and will eventually be more cost-effective. Read more in our complete Bar Harbor and Acadia Nationa Park Guide here.
