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Northeast Coast Drive
A 5-day coastal road trip from Boston to Acadia, staying by the water as much as possible and keeping the pace relaxed.
5days
19stops
DAY01
Boston → Halibut Point
Overnight in Halibut Point
- 09:00Boston· start
- 10:15Salem Maritime National Historic Site
- 13:30⭐ Rockport
- 16:30Halibut Point· overnight
Accommodation
Rockport or Gloucester waterfront
DAY02
Depart: Rockport → Old Port
Overnight in Old Port, Portland
- 09:00Depart: Rockport· start
- 10:45Portsmouth Harbor
- 13:00⭐ Portland Head Light
- 16:30Old Port, Portland· overnight
Accommodation
Portland Old Port or East End
DAY03
Portland → Camden Harbor
Overnight in Camden Harbor
- 09:00Portland· start
- 10:15Freeport Village
- 12:30⭐ Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
- 16:00Camden Harbor· overnight
Accommodation
Camden harbor area
DAY04
Camden → Bar Harbor
Overnight in Bar Harbor
- 09:00Camden· start
- 09:30⭐ Camden Hills
- 12:30Belfast Harbor Walk
- 16:30Bar Harbor· overnight
Accommodation
Bar Harbor village or just outside Acadia's east entrance
DAY05
Bar Harbor → Bass Harbor Head Light Station
- 08:30Bar Harbor· start
- 09:00⭐ Ocean Drive, Acadia National Park
- 12:30Jordan Pond
- 16:30Bass Harbor Head Light Station
Accommodation
Bar Harbor or Southwest Harbor
Heads Up
- Day 2: 7h driving — plan rest stops
- Pack a wind layer even in summer
- book Bar Harbor lodging early
- keep small cash or card-ready parking apps handy for coastal towns
- build in patience on Route 1 because scenic traffic is part of the deal