Epic 7-Day Boston to Acadia Road Trip Itinerary
Fall is such a great time for a Boston to Acadia road trip. The weather is cooler, the summer crowds are gone, and the scenery just keeps getting better the further north you go.
This 7-day itinerary starts in Boston and works its way up the New England coast with stops in historic towns, pretty harbors, and plenty of lighthouses. You’ll have time to explore Portsmouth, Portland, Camden, and finally Bar Harbor, the gateway to Acadia National Park.
Along the way, you can break up the drives with short hikes, local cafes, and roadside photo stops. It’s an easy route to follow and a great mix of city sights, coastal views, and time outdoors.
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Good to Know Before Your Boston to Acadia Road Trip
📅 Best time to take this road trip
Late September to mid-October is when you’ll get the best mix of fall colors and mild weather. Early October is usually peak foliage in Maine’s coastal towns and Acadia. Summer is also beautiful, but expect heavier traffic and higher hotel prices.
🛣️ Overall distance
It’s roughly 280 miles from Boston to Acadia. You could drive it in 5–6 hours on I-95, but it’s worth spacing it out and following the coast instead. The scenic route takes longer but gives you more of that classic road trip feel with small towns and ocean views.
🗺️ How many days do you need?
Seven days is a comfortable pace with time to explore each stop without rushing. If you’re short on time, you could do it in 5 days by skipping one or two overnight stops.
🚗 Car rental tips
Book early if you’re traveling in the fall, as prices can jump closer to your dates. Compare deals on Discover Cars to find the best rate, and look for flexible pick-up and drop-off options if you’re flying in and out of different airports.
📍 How far apart are the stops?
Most drives are between 1 and 2 hours. The longest stretch is from Bar Harbor back to Boston, which takes about 5–6 hours without stops. With photo breaks, plan on adding extra time each day.
🏨 Where to stay along the way?
This itinerary includes overnights in Boston (1 night), Portsmouth (1 night), Portland (1 night), Camden (1 night), and Bar Harbor (2–3 nights). Booking early is key in the fall, as the most popular hotels can sell out months ahead.
Day 1: Boston
Kick off your Boston to Acadia road trip with a day in Boston before heading north. There are so many things to do in Boston, but if it’s your first visit, the Freedom Trail is a great place to start.
This 2.5-mile walking route takes you past historic landmarks like Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, and the Old North Church.
Make time for a stroll through Beacon Hill with its cobblestone streets and brick row houses. The Boston Public Garden is right next to Boston Common and looks beautiful in the fall, especially when the leaves start changing.
If you’re into museums, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum are both worth a visit. For something more casual, browse the shops along Newbury Street or grab a coffee in the Back Bay area.
End the day with a walk along the Charles River Esplanade for sunset. The light over the water with the city skyline in the background is a perfect way to wrap up your first day!
You’ll spend the night in Boston before starting the drive to Salem tomorrow. Some great places to stay include The Godfrey Hotel for a stylish, central base, Boston Park Plaza for a classic option near the Public Garden, or HI Boston Hostel if you’re traveling on a budget.
For a complete guide with even more ideas, check out my full one-day Boston itinerary.
Day 2: Salem and Portsmouth
Pick up your rental car in the morning and start your drive north. Your first stop is Salem, about 30 minutes from Boston.
Known for its 17th-century witch trials, Salem has a mix of historic sites, museums, and a lively downtown. Step inside the Witch House, the only building in Salem with direct ties to the trials, or learn more at the Salem Witch Museum.
Wander along the historic waterfront and take a stroll down Chestnut Street, lined with beautiful old homes. Around Essex Street, you’ll find plenty of quirky shops, cafes, and bakeries.
If you visit in October, expect the whole town to be decked out in Halloween decorations. Check out the best things to do in Salem in October and make sure to book your tickets the night before if you want to visit any of the attractions!
After lunch, continue about an hour north to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This small coastal city is perfect for an afternoon of exploring. Start in Market Square and check out the surrounding streets filled with colonial architecture and independent boutiques.
Prescott Park offers pretty river views and colorful gardens, especially with the backdrop of fall foliage. You could also stop at the Strawberry Banke Museum for a glimpse into four centuries of local history.
Stay overnight in Portsmouth before heading into Maine tomorrow. Holiday Inn Portsmouth is a solid budget option close to the highway, while Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth Downtown offers a comfortable mid-range stay within walking distance of Market Square.
This part of your Boston to Bar Harbor road trip is all about mixing history with coastal charm, so take your time in both towns before moving on.
Day 3: Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, and Portland
Leave Portsmouth in the morning and follow the coast into Maine. This stretch of your Boston to Maine road trip is packed with small towns, ocean views, and great food, so plan for plenty of stops.
Your first one is Ogunquit, about 30 minutes away. This is one of the prettiest coastal towns in Maine, best known for Marginal Way, a paved coastal path with ocean views and rocky cliffs.
It’s especially pretty in the fall when the trees along the route start to turn. Take a short walk, browse the shops in Perkins Cove, or grab a coffee before continuing north.
Next up is Kennebunkport, about 25 minutes from Ogunquit. The heart of town is Dock Square, where you’ll find boutique shops, art galleries, and plenty of seafood restaurants.
Walk along the harbor, snap a photo of the boats, and if you have time, drive out to Cape Porpoise for quieter views and a working waterfront.
From Kennebunkport, it’s about 40 minutes to Portland. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the Old Port district, known for its cobblestone streets, independent shops, and great dining scene.
If you’re into craft beer, Portland has one of the best brewery scenes in New England!
Stay overnight in Portland before heading further up the coast tomorrow. The Press Hotel is a stylish boutique option in a historic building, Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront has a prime location by the harbor, and La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham is a good budget choice.
Day 4: Portland to Camden
Spend the morning checking out a few more things to do in Portland, Maine before hitting the road.
Start with Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country. Walk around Fort Williams Park for different viewpoints of the lighthouse and the rocky shoreline.
If you want to see more before leaving town, visit Bug Light, a small lighthouse at the entrance to Portland Harbor, or head to Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, which sits at the end of a long breakwater you can walk along.
From Portland, continue north along the coast. Boothbay Harbor makes a great stop, especially around lunchtime. Stroll the waterfront, browse the local shops and galleries, and enjoy fresh seafood at one of the harbor-view restaurants.
If you have extra time, detour to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. The rocky ledges here are dramatic, and there’s a small museum inside the keeper’s house that’s worth a quick look.
Arrive in Camden in the late afternoon. This harbor town is especially beautiful in the fall, with colorful foliage covering the surrounding hills and sailboats in the water. Take a walk through downtown, pop into the boutiques, and enjoy dinner with a harbor view.
For the night, 16 Bay View is a stylish choice with a rooftop bar overlooking the water. Hideaway Inn Maine is a charming mid-range option right in the center of town, while Cedar Crest Inn is a comfortable and budget-friendly stay just outside downtown.
Day 5: Camden to Bar Harbor
Spend the morning exploring more of Camden before heading further north.
Drive up to Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park for one of the best views in Maine. On a clear fall day, you can see the town, harbor, and Penobscot Bay framed by colorful foliage.
Back in town, grab a coffee or breakfast and take a final stroll along the waterfront. Camden has plenty of small shops worth browsing if you want to pick up a souvenir.
From Camden, it’s about two hours to Bar Harbor. You can take the faster inland route or follow the coast for a more scenic drive, passing through small towns and along stretches of shoreline.
This is one of the most enjoyable drives on a Boston to Acadia National Park trip, so give yourself time for photo stops along the way.
Arrive in Bar Harbor in the afternoon and check into your hotel for a two-night stay. Take a walk along the Shore Path, a flat trail that runs beside the water with views of the harbor and nearby islands. The late afternoon light here is especially nice for photos.
For your stay, Bar Harbor Grand Hotel is a classic New England–style hotel right in town with spacious rooms and a seasonal outdoor pool.
Best Western Acadia Park Inn offers a quiet location just outside of town with easy access to the Park Loop Road, while Acadia Hotel Downtown is a comfortable mid-range choice.
Day 6: Acadia National Park
Today is finally the day to visit Acadia National Park, one of the best places to visit in New England in the fall!
If you only have one day in Acadia, this route will give you a great mix of scenic drives, hikes, and iconic viewpoints. You can also check out my full guide on the best things to do in Acadia for even more ideas.
Start your morning with a drive up Cadillac Mountain. From late May to late October, you’ll need to reserve a vehicle pass online in advance. The views at sunrise are incredible, but even later in the morning, you’ll still get a sweeping look over the islands and coastline.
Afterwards, head to Jordan Pond. Walk the easy loop trail around the water or just enjoy the view of The Bubbles from the shore. If you’re hungry, Jordan Pond House is famous for its popovers.
Spend the afternoon exploring the Park Loop Road. Stop at Thunder Hole to watch the waves crash against the rocks, then continue to Sand Beach and take a short walk along the Ocean Path toward Otter Cliff.
If you’re up for more hiking, the Beehive Trail offers panoramic views, but it’s steep and not for anyone uncomfortable with heights.
In the evening, head back to Bar Harbor for dinner or catch the sunset at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse on the quieter side of Mount Desert Island. The light hitting the cliffs here is a great way to end the day!
Spend your second night in Bar Harbor before making the drive back to Boston tomorrow.
Day 7: Bar Harbor to Boston
It’s time to make the drive back to Boston. If you take I-95 the whole way, it’s about 5 to 6 hours, but you can break it up with a few stops to make the most of your last day on this Boston to Acadia road trip.
Portland is a good halfway point for lunch and a quick stroll through the Old Port. If you missed anything on the way up, like Ogunquit or Kennebunkport, this is your chance to see them.
You could also make a short detour to Freeport for outlet shopping or to visit the flagship L.L. Bean store.
If you’re visiting in the fall, keep an eye out for foliage along the highway. Even the main route can be colorful this time of year, especially through southern Maine and New Hampshire.
Once you arrive back in Boston, return your rental car and wrap up your trip. If you have an evening flight or an extra night in the city, you could fit in one last meal or revisit a favorite spot from Day 1.
