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The Maine Coast: Portland to Acadia: 4-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 4-day version for September: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go.
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4
days
220 km
distance
9.2 h
driving
25
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~12.3 hours of daylight in September — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Lobster boats land daily, windjammers sail out of Camden, and Cadillac Mountain catches America's first sunrise — reserve the summit drive in season.
Day 1 Portland → Boothbay Harbor
- Transit
- 3h40
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 12.7°C–19.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~14
- Daylight
- 12.3h
09:00
10:10
Ride scenic train trips along the East End waterfront on vintage locomotives.
50 min · Portland · Ticketbfor train and museum (all day): adults $10, senior $9, child $6 (age 3 - 12), under 3 yr free
open: Trains on the hour 10AM–3PM: May - Oct: daily; Nov - Feb: closed except for special evnts; Mar - Apr: weekends
11:10
Enjoy panoramic waterfront views from this historic maritime signal tower.
50 min · Portland · $10/adult, $8/concession, $5/child, $30/family
open: Memorial Day to Columbus Day, Daily 10-5PM
14:50
Stroll through vibrant gardens where native plants flourish in serene coastal settings.
50 min · Boothbay Harbor
15:55
Hendricks Head Light search
You will see the historic beacon of Hendricks Head Light guiding ships along the rocky coast.
50 min · Boothbay Harbor
17:00
Overnight: Boothbay Harbor
e.g. Ocean Point Inn · Fisherman's Wharf Inn
Day 2 Camden
- Transit
- 2h07
- Finish
- ~16:30
- Temperature
- 12.7°C–19.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~14
- Daylight
- 12.3h
10:20
11:25
12:30
13:35
14:40
15:30
Waterfront waterfrontcamden.com
Dine on seasonal local dishes with harbor and bay views.
60 min · Camden
open: 10AM-11PM
Overnight here
e.g. Camden Windward House Bed and Breakfast · Camden Harbour Inn
Day 3 Bar Harbor & Acadia
- Transit
- 2h35
- Finish
- ~17:55
- Temperature
- 11.4°C–19.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~14
- Daylight
- 12.3h
11:05
12:05
13:05
Bar Harbor Historical Society barharborhistorical.org map ↗
Explore memorabilia, maps, and antique clothing in this historic museum.
50 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia · free
open: mid-June to Oct: M-Sa 1-4PM, open by appointment in the winter. Closed holidays
14:05
Discover the culture of Maine's Native American tribes through exhibits.
50 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia · $8/adult, $7/senior, $4/youth, children under 10 free
open: May-Oct: 10AM-5PM, Nov-Apr: Th-Sa 10-16
15:05
16:05
16:55
Overnight here
Day 4 Around Bar Harbor & Acadia
- Transit
- 0h48
- Finish
- ~17:40
- Temperature
- 11.4°C–19.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~14
- Daylight
- 12.3h
09:00
Lulu Lobster Boat Ride lululobsterboat.com map ↗
Enjoy a seal-watching tour aboard a traditional Downeast-style lobster boat.
90 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia
10:40
Schooner Margaret Todd downeastwindjammer.com map ↗
Sail aboard a grand four-masted schooner, scanning the waters for marine wildlife.
90 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia · Adult: $37.50, seniors 65+: $35.00, children 6-11: $27.50, toddlers 2-5: $5.00, infants under 2: free
12:20
Reel Pizza Cinerama reelpizza.com map ↗
Enjoy gourmet pizza and wine while watching a movie on a big screen.
90 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia
14:05
The Bar Harbor Whale Museum search
Marvel at whale skeletons and exhibits on marine life and ocean conservation.
50 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia · by donation
open: 10AM-8PM
15:10
Acadia Sailing Company search
Sail on a historic Crosby Catboat, guided by a skilled captain along the Atlantic coast.
90 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia
16:40
Ben & Bills Chocolate Emporium benandbills.com map ↗
Savor hand-made chocolate and unique lobster ice cream.
60 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.