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Ultimate 7-day Maine Road Trip Itinerary

There’s something about summer lobster rolls, rocky shorelines, and the smell of pines that makes Maine make you feel good. Ya know? Maine’s just got the vibes that makes it the perfect place for a road trip. It’s got the charming small towns, friendly locals, It’s a place that I fell in love with on my own road trip and I’m sure you will, too.

I’ve created the perfect 7-day road trip itinerary to help you find the best places to eat, things to do, and where to stay at some of the most pristine coastline. From hiking in Acadia National Park, to oysters in Bar Harbor, and the best beach towns along the coast, you’ll find a lot of amazing tips to help you make the most of your trip.

Happy travels in Maine!

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Getting to Maine

The best way to fly into Maine directly is Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine. All major airports operate into PWM but flights and routes are limited. Keep in mind, too, that many of the flights operate seasonally. All this to say flight prices might be high flying into PWM.

If you find that flying directly into PWM is too expensive, a great alternative is to fly to Boston Logan Airport instead. Boston is located just an hour and 45 minutes from Portland, making it a cheaper option for less than 2 additional hours of driving time. For that reason I recommend checking both Portland and Boston to find the cheapest flight option.

Travel Tip! Did you know it's best to book your flights directly with the airline instead of 3rd party sites? This gives you the most flexibility with your ticket. Be sure to also book your flight with a travel credit card with strong travel protections.

Renting a car

The best way to visit coastal Maine is renting a car. (This is a Maine road trip itinerary after all!) Driving allows you the freedom to stop along the way at lobster shacks, hidden beaches, and small towns. It’s in a lot of ways the only way to visit Maine.

You’ll want to rent your car for the entire week, starting with your arrival at the airport and return it at the end of your trip. Keep in mind that airports usually have higher fees on rental cars so do compare prices to nearby rentals.

Be sure to check out my complete guide to saving on car rentals! This guide will help you learn all the best ways to save money on your next rental.

When is the best time to visit?

Peak summer comes with great weather but more tourists, too. If you can avoid the summer months of June to August, I would. When I visited Maine I actually went in May and it was perfect. All the local businesses were open, the weather was fantastic, and the prices were much lower. If you want to see the fall foliage, coming to Maine late-September to late-October is the best time to visit.

Maine Road Trip Itinerary

day 1: Boston/Portland to Bar Harbor

Welcome to Maine! Today we’re starting our adventure from the airport to head all the way to the farthest destination on our road trip, Bar Harbor. If you fly into Boston this drive will take you about 4.5 hours, while if you fly into Portland it’ll be about 3 hours. Either way, totally easy travel day!

Once in Bar Harbor it’s time to check-in to your hotel. I stayed at the Bar Harbor Manor, located walking distance to downtown on a quiet side street. The hotel was perfect for a couple of nights with friendly staff and a great breakfast, too. But I especially loved the outdoor patio to sip my coffee in the morning overlooking the amazing historic homes along the street.

My top hotel pick!

We stayed here on our stay in Bar Harbor.

Book it today

After arriving the Bar Harbor and getting settled it’s time to find a bite to eat. I recommend checking out the Black Friar Inn and Pub. This local restaurant is nearby to the Bar Harbor Manor and has some great local pub food, craft beers, and specialty cocktails. And if you happen to come for their Happy Hour between 4-6 you can snag $2 oysters and some drink specials, too!

After dinner take a stroll around Bar Harbor (don’t worry, you”ll get to see more of the town’s charm tomorrow) but a quick stop at a local favorite, Mount Desert Ice Cream, is necessary after a long travel day. This ice cream shop is a local favorite and you’ll find some interesting flavors, like goat cheese and blueberries.

Where to stay in Bar Harbor

If you usually like to stay in chains like Marriott or Hilton I recommend instead choosing a quainter hotel in Bar Harbor. The major chains are located outside of the main town area so you’ll find yourself doing a lot more driving (and trying to find parking).

Keep in mind that Bar Harbor hotels fill up fast for peak season so be sure to book in advance.

Day 2: Explore Bar Harbor

When I last visited Maine I kept wishing I had more time in Bar Harbor. The town is just so nice with plenty of small shops, museums, and interesting sites nearby. So today we’re exploring some of the best of them!

Start your morning with a coffee and pastry from Coffee Hound Coffee Co. downtown. From there walk to the nearby John B. Ells Pier and take a sip, waking up with some of the most incredible views Bar Harbor has to offer. Here you’ll see locals walking their dogs along the Bar Harbor Shore path and the famous Bar Harbor Inn is nearby, too.

Here in New England food is everything and Bar Harbor has some fantastic places to eat. That’s why I recommend this 3-hour food tour to really get you to try everything Maine has to offer.

Before the tour be sure to checkout Sherman’s Book Store, Maine’s oldest operating bookstore. And depending on your schedule you might be able to squeeze in a visit to George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History just outside of town.

After your food tour take a drive outside of town to the nearby Lamoine Beach Park, located in Lamoine State Park. This beach is quieter with a lot less tourists than Bar Harbor. It’s a perfect place to find starfish while you walk the shoreline. And if you’re looking for something totally touristy check out the Great Maine Lumberjack Show on your way back to Bar Harbor.

If you need a quick bite for dinner you can also stop at C-Ray Lobster, a famous lobster stand located outside of town, too.

Day 3: Acadia National Park

Mount Desert Island is home to the beautiful Acadia National Park. Today it’s time to explore it! The entrance fee to Acadia is $30 and covers park access for 7 consecutive days. But you can also use your NPS annual pass for entrance.

Even with limited mobility the park is worth visiting. There is a driving route that takes you around the loop and includes parking areas at various viewpoints. You can also download this driving tour audioguide to help you learn more along the park loop road.

Some popular destinations in the park include the Beehive Trail, Jordan Pond, Sand Beach and Thunder Hole.

You can pack snacks to enjoy in the National Park but you can also grab a bite at the Jordan Pond House. Just be sure to make reservations in advance.

Day 4: Portland

Today you’ll have a long drive, so wake up early and take in Route 1 along Maine’s beautiful coastline.

A few road trip tops along route 1

Stop in Bath along Route 1 to visit the Maine Maritime Museum. And be sure you don’t miss a stroll along the small downtown with quaint shops and cafes. Depending on your timing you could also get a famous lobster roll at  Red’s Eats in Wiscasset nearby. Finally, you also take a quick trip to Freeport to visit the LL Bean outlet to get some discounted hiking gear you can’t easily find anywhere else.

The perfect day in Portland

I hope you enjoy your time in Portland as much as I did. It’s got some amazing charm, fantastic restaurants, and few highlights worth visiting, too. Depending on how much time you spend on Route 1 will determine how much time you’ll have in Portland. I’d recommend to aim to arrive no later than 2:00pm to give yourself plenty of time to explore.

Where I would stay: Hotels in Portland, especially downtown, are super expensive. I opted to stay in Kennebunkport and drive the 40-minutes into Portland. But if you want to stay in Portland I would book an Airbnb in a historic neighborhood to likely cut my cost in half.

Once you arrive in Portland be sure to take a trip out on the water to learn more about the marine life and fishing heritage in Maine with a boat tour. Portland’s boat tours are a great price for the experience and a new way to explore Maine, too. You can book in advance but if you’re unsure of your arrival time you might be able to find a boat near the harbor and book a last-minute ticket.

During your afternoon take some time to wander through the Old Port. There are some local shops selling fantastic products. The Old Port’s cobblestone streets and rustic brick buildings are a great opportunity for some travel photos.

For dinner I recommend checking out Eventide Oyster Co. This upscale seafood eatery is a great place to enjoy a cocktail, fresh oysters, and their famous brown butter lobster roll that’s served on an asian steamed bun. (Personally, I loved the oyster sampler platter and the fried clams but my husband still talked about the lobster roll.)

Portland also has some fantastic New England breweries and if you’re into beer you can check out a guided brewery tour to get to sample all of the best beers in Portland. But if you don’t have the time one of my favorite breweries in Portland is Rising Tide Brewing Co.

Day 5: Portland and Kennebunkport

Start your morning in Portland at the incredible Standard Baking Co. downtown. This bakery has a line out of the door every day and for good reason. I love their morning bun and highly recommend one with a cup of coffee. After getting your goodies take them over to the Portland Head Lighthouse, located just a bit outside of downtown.

After breakfast take a bit of time to explore Portland once more. You could explore Portland’s Museum of Art, take a sightseeing trolly tour, or visit The Portland Observatory.

Travel Tip! Portland's Museum of Art is free every Friday from 4-8 PM.

After a bit more time in Portland it’s time to continue down the Maine Coast to a quaint seaside town of Kennebunkport. Kennebunkport is certainly a slower pace but there are some neat shops, great food, and some perfect daytime drives along this sleepy coastal town. It’s is just a 40-minute drive from Portland so you’ll have plenty of time to explore.

Where I stayed: I stayed at the Nonantum Resort, located 0.7 miles from the main town strip. It’ was’s an adorable hotel on the river with adirondack chairs overlooking yachts and sailboats. A sweet place with friendly staff and a great outdoor area.

My top hotel pick!

This is where I stayed on my trip.

book it now

There’s a lot of things to do near Kennebunkport. I recommend checking out Rugosa Lobster Tours if you want to learn more about the lobster industry. The tour is just $49, which I think is a steal for the experience! Of, if you want to stay on land, you could also visit the Seashore Trolley Museum.

If you can make an early dinner work I recommend happy hour at the Boat House in Kennebunkport (happy hour is 3-6pm). They have an excellent selection of small bites, cocktails, beer, and wine, and the restaurant includes a wrap-around deck on the river and high-top seating. You’ll save a lot on your seafood if you can make this work!

Where to stay in Kennebunkport

Do you want to learn more about saving on hotel rooms? Be sure to check out my guide to 3 easy ways to earn free hotel rooms. You'll learn more about earning and using points and miles to snag free hotel rooms on every trip you take.

Day 6: Ogunquit

Located just south of Kennebunkport is probably my favorite coastal town in Maine, Ogunquit. This town is really what you think of when you think Costal Maine: neat storefronts, nice beaches, and fun restaurants, too.

Where to stay: Though you can stay in Ogunquit, I’d recommend making this a day trip from either Portland or Kennebunkport!

Start your day in Ogunquit with a walk along the Marginal Way, a scenic, coastal walking trail along a pristine coastline. The walking trail is located near the beach, so it’s a great time to sit and spend some time soaking up the sun while reading a book.

There are plenty of great places to eat lunch in Ogunquit, but I love The Beach Basket. I highly, highly recommend their blueberry lemonade and sandwiches.

After lunch stroll the shops along Shore Rd. but don’t miss the storefronts near Perkin’s Cove on Harbor Ln. either. You can also stop at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, which has a collection of over 3,000 works of art. The museum also has free docent-led tours Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 AM.

Day 7: Goodbye, Maine!

It’s time to say goodbye to Maine and head back home. Depending on if you flew to Portland or Boston you’ll have different driving times but either way you’ll leave Maine with so many amazing memories!

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