If you’re looking to take a Portland to Acadia National Park road trip, you’re about to embark on an amazing journey! There are so many stops to make along the way that will highlight the very best of coastal Maine, and provide amazing and memorable experiences.
As someone who has driven along Maine’s coast quite a bit over the last 10 years, including weekend getaways, many road trips, and vacations, I feel pretty confident that I’ve found the absolute best and most scenic places to stop when making this drive!
This guide isn’t going to take you on the most direct route because, well, that’s not as much fun 😉 In order to get to these places, we’ll be taking some detours and getting off the beaten path to explore some incredible sites, including two of my absolute favorite lighthouses along Maine’s coast.
The great thing is, you can tailor this road trip to your liking, and adjust the itinerary to fit your interests and schedule. Keep in mind that you can also visit half the stops on your way to Acadia, and the other half on your way back.
Ready to hit the road? Let’s start planning!
New England Wanderlust contains affiliate links, and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from any purchases you choose to make from our links, at no additional cost to you. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
How Far Is Portland From Acadia National Park?
Portland, ME is a 3-hour drive from Acadia National Park when driven on the most direct route, without stops. Most of the stops on this list will be along, or just off of, Route 1, which is the coastal route, which adds another 30 minutes to the drive (without stops).
However, this will all depend on which stops you choose to make, and how long you spend at each one.
Best Stops To Make Between Portland & Acadia National Park
The list below is organized in order starting from Portland and heading toward Acadia National Park. If you want to take your time driving to Acadia, and hit up all of these stops, this is the order you’ll want to do them all in. If you want to break up the stops, and do half on your way to Acadia, and the other half on your way back, be sure to scroll down to the end of the list for a suggested itinerary.
Or, just pick and choose which ones appeal to you the most, and plan to do only those 😊
1. Freeport
Freeport is known as the home of the flagship L.L. Bean store, but it’s also a quaint little town that has some nice shopping, including a mix of franchises and independently-owned shops. It’s also an easy stop to make that only takes a few extra minutes to get to.
The L.L. Bean flagship store is definitely worth a visit, as it’ll have everything available that the brand makes, including a really awesome home section. Be sure to grab a photo with the giant Bean Boot outside!
Stroll down Main Street to do a bit of shopping, and most definitely pop into Wilbur’s of Maine to grab some chocolate covered blueberries (and well, anything else that involves chocolate because they have it all).
I also love to pop into Wicked Whoopies while here to get some whoopie pies, which Maine is famous for. This is actually one of the best places for whoopie pies in Maine, in my opinion 😉
Restaurant Suggestions: Freeport has two really fun places to eat. One is Tuscan Brick Oven & Bistro, which has delicious food and cocktails, and a warm and cozy atmosphere. I also love Maine Beer Company because they serve wood-fired pizzas and craft fantastic beers (their Lunch and Dinner beers are so good – and yes, that’s what they’re called 😂). You can also do a tasting to have with your pizza.
Estimated time needed at this stop: 2-4 hours, depending on if you want to add time lunch or dinner. Without stopping for a meal, 2 hours will do.
2. Giant’s Stairs on Bailey’s Island
This off-the-beaten path stop is a must when driving from Portland to Acadia National Park. In fact, the entire town of Bailey’s Island is pretty idyllic. While there’s not much to do on Bailey’s Island, it’s packed with picturesque scenery at every corner, and you can drive the whole thing in about 15 minutes.
One of the best things to experience is the Giant’s Stairs trail. It’s a very short trail along a bluff overlooking the ocean, and it will lead you to giant rock formations you can climb to get some amazing views of the water.
It goes without saying that you should exercise caution when climbing on the rocks. I felt very safe while there, but if it happens to be a wet, slippery day, just be careful. Closed-toed and sturdy shoes are recommended.
Tip: Google Maps navigation will take you right to the trail, but parking can be a bit confusing. Use these coordinates to get to the parking area: 43.723383502260596, -69.99533644395135. There will also be signs along the way.
While there, you may as well drive around the island to enjoy the scenery. You can even pop into Land’s End Gift Shop, or stop into Island Candy Company on Orr’s Island just before or after your visiting.
Estimated time needed at this stop: 1 hour.
3. Georgetown
Georgetown is often featured in a lot of stock photos for coastal Maine because it’s a picture-perfect small fishing village town. It also has some beautiful things to do when passing through.
Besides walking around to just appreciate its natural beauty, here’s a list of my suggestions on what to do while in Georgetown:
→ Reid State Park has three beaches and nature trails to explore.
→ Georgetown Pottery to shop for handmade porcelain pieces.
→ Five Islands Lobster Company for amazing and fresh seafood overlooking the water.
→ Five Islands Farm is a great stop for specialty and gourmet foods, as well as beautiful handmade pieces, gifts and artwork.
Estimated time needed at this stop: 1-3 hours, depending on if you stop to eat, or explore the trails and beaches at Reid State Park.
4. Wiscasset
This is a charming little village that sits along the Sheepscot River, and is most known for being the home of Reds Eats, a little seafood shack that always has a line around the corner because it’s that good.
Stopping to eat at Red’s Eats is definitely worth your time during your drive from Portland to Acadia, and you can combine it with a beautiful stroll around the historic village and Main Street. The welcome sign as you enter the village will even claim that Wiscasset is the “Prettiest Little Village in Maine.” It’s also a great town to go antiquing!
Estimated time needed at this stop: 1-3 hours, depending on how long that line is at Red’s!
5. Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Harbor is one of my favorite towns to visit in Maine because I find it has so much character, and also stays true to its roots as a fishing and boating community. It also makes my list of best places to visit in New England!
Boothbay Harbor is pretty small, but it packs a punch. On your way to the downtown area, make a stop at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, and stroll around the 300-acre park while looking for the giant troll sculptures.
Once you’re downtown, enjoy the colorful storefronts, grab lunch somewhere, and if you have time, head out on a boat tour (I especially love this Lighthouses, Seals and Lobster Haul cruise because it’s short at only 90 minutes, but offers amazing scenery and quintessential Maine experiences.
Estimated time needed at this stop: 1-4 hours, depending on if you stop to eat, take a boat tour, or visit the Botanical Gardens.
Psst! Need more ideas for your time here? Check out my post on the best things to do in Boothbay Harbor!
6. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse & Park
I love this stop along the coast of Maine because not only is it a beautiful lighthouse, it’s also a park with long stretches of rocky coastline to walk along and explore.
The cost to visit this lighthouse is $3, and there are also public bathroom facilities here, which is great during a road trip! Visitors are able to climb to the top of the lighthouse tower, but this is only offered at certain times throughout the day, weather permitting. Be sure to check the lighthouse website by clicking here for more information on planning your visit.
Restaurant Suggestion: If you’re looking for a lunch or dinner pit stop, Pemaquid Seafood is a 15-minute drive from the lighthouse, and has awesome seafood with a great view of the water.
Recommended time needed at this location: 1 hour, plus more if you stop for lunch or dinner.
7. Friendship
Friendship is a very small little fishing town, but it’s also home to probably the most adorable little convenience store & market you ever did see – Wallace’s. Friendship is worth going out of the way to visit just to pop into Wallace’s for market finds, and even a great deli sandwich or lobster roll! But this town also has a really lovely little harbor area that’s worth taking a few moments to explore.
Restaurant Suggestion: In addition to Wallace’s, which actually has really good prepared foods, you can also stop at Jameson Point Lobster Company.
Estimated time needed at this stop: 30 minutes – 1 hour, depending on if you stop for lunch/dinner.
8. Marshall Point Lighthouse
Most famous for being featured in the movie Forrest Gump, Marshall Point Lighthouse is one of my top three favorite lighthouses in all of Maine. It’s a bit off-the-beaten path, so not as many people venture over to make the stop, meaning I’ve never seen it too crowded. It’s always such a peaceful and serene visit, and a beautiful lighthouse to see when driving from Portland to Acadia National Park.
There are also a couple of picnic tables right by the lighthouse, so this is a nice place to stop and have a snack during your road trip.
Estimated time needed at this stop: 30 minutes.
9. Owl’s Head
Owls Head, ME is home to another one of my top three lighthouses in Maine, as well as a lovely little harbor, and a relaxing pebble beach.
You most definitely have to stop and see Owls Head Lighthouse, which sits atop a cliff and offers amazing views of the water. Along the walkway to the lighthouse from the parking area, keep an eye out for a small path on your right that leads down to the water. There’s a little pebble beach that’s very small, but really beautiful.
Fair warning, the little path down to the beach can sometimes be closed off, depending on safety issues, so it may not always be accessible. But if it’s open, it’s a nice place to enjoy some postcard-worthy Maine scenery.
The Owls Head harbor is also very small, but a working harbor with fishermen coming and going, and is a really authentic stop to make when in the area to appreciate the fishing culture in Maine. Just be sure to be respectful of any fishermen that are bringing in their hauls, and stay out of their way. But tourists do stop here, so definitely feel free to enjoy the atmosphere (and bring your camera!).
Pro Tip: There’s a short walk from the parking area to the lighthouse, so you’ll want to be prepared for that.
Estimated time needed at this stop: 30 minutes to see the lighthouse, 30-45 minutes if you see the lighthouse and stop at the pebble beach, and 1 hour if you also stop to see the harbor.
10. Rockland Breakwater Light
This very cool and unique lighthouse in the cute town of Rockland sits at the end of an almost one-mile long breakwater (hence, the name 😉) and is a very fun and adventurous stop to make on your drive from Portland, Maine to Acadia.
To get to the lighthouse, you’ll drive to the end of Samoset Road (GPS will know how to get you there). You’ll see signs for parking, but keep in mind that parking is limited. Be sure to obey any “No Parking” or “No Trespassing” signs while there.
After walking out to the lighthouse, you can head to Main Street in downtown Rockland to enjoy the great shops, and grab a bite to eat if you have time.
Estimated time needed at this stop: 1 hour to walk the whole thing there and back.
11. Camden
Camden is another idyllic little waterfront town that has an amazing Main Street with shops and restaurants, and a gorgeous harbor where some pretty incredible sailboats dock.
While Camden’s downtown is definitely one of the best things to do while visiting, another option is to drive or hike to the Mt. Battie summit, which gives you a bird’s-eye view of Camden’s harbor from the top. This is a great photo opp, and a memorable stop to make on the drive.
However, downtown Camden is also a lot of fun, and most of the shops can be found along Main and Bayview Streets. You can also take a walk or short drive to the Curtis Island Lighthouse Overlook, or hop on a windjammer tour if you have time.
Pro Tip: Parking in downtown Camden is mostly street parking.
Estimated time needed at this stop: 1-3 hours, depending on if you just stop to see the downtown area and harbor, or if you decide to also visit the Mt. Battie summit, take a windjammer tour, or stop to eat.
12. Margaret’s Antiques & Lobster Rolls
Such a curious mix of things under one roof, right? And it’s absolutely worth a stop! In fact, many folks say this is where to find the best lobster roll in Maine, and it’s definitely more of a hidden gem than the top seafood shacks around the rest of the state.
This cute little restaurant is part antiques store (as I’m sure you guessed by the name 😉), part seafood restaurant, and part ice cream shack – what more could you want!? This is a pretty casual place, so expect to order at the counter, and have a seat at a picnic table, but you’ll get some pretty awesome seafood during your stop. And hopefully, you find some treasures to take home with you at the antiques shop, too.
Margaret’s is not out of your way at all if you’re coming from Camden or Rockland – it’ll be right along Route 1. If you’re driving straight from Portland to Bar Harbor, and this is your only stop, it’ll add about 30 minutes of driving time.
Estimated time needed at this stop: 1 hour to eat.
13. Young’s Lobster Pound
Another fantastic place to stop for food on the way is Young’s Lobster Pound, and the benefit to stopping here is that it’s right on the way to Bar Harbor if you’re driving Route 1 along the coast, it only adds a few minutes of driving time to get there.
The best thing about Young’s, though, is that it has amazing seafood and a beautiful view of Penobscot Bay.
You can get any kind of fresh seafood here during your stop, including picking your own lobster from their tank. They also have an upper, outdoor deck overlooking the bay, and lots of picnic tables on their back patio that also have water views. They even have a large indoor dining space as well if you happen to visit on a rainy day.
Estimated time needed at this stop: 1 hour to eat.
14. Penobscot Narrows Bridge
This is a bridge you’ll have to cross if you come up Route 1, and it’s actually a very cool stop to make on the way because it’s home to the tallest bridge observatory in the world. Yep, the world.
Crossing the Penobscot River, this bridge is actually one of only four bridge observatories in the world, too, making is a rather unique experience to have on your road trip from Portland to Acadia. There’s a small park by the parking area that offers nice views of the bridge and river scenery. However, if you only have time to pull over quickly to see it before getting back on the road, there’s a pull-off on your right (heading to Bar Harbor) located at 44.557207631533714, -68.80788778596649. It’s very easy to spot, and offers nice views of the bridge, too.
If you’d like to stop for a bit, you can take the elevator up to the top of the observatory for even better views of the area, which is a very fun thing to do!
Estimated time needed at this stop: Anywhere from a few minutes, or up to an hour if you go up into the observatory.
15. Deer Isle & Blue Hill
Blue Hill is on a little peninsula along the coast of Maine, and as you probably guessed, Deer Isle is an island off the coast that’s just a short 25-minute drive from Blue Hill. You could choose to visit both, or just pick which you prefer to visit.
Blue Hill is a small and quiet town located along Blue Hill Bay, and has become a haven for artists, who have found it very easy to be inspired by all the beautiful views. A bit further south is Deer Isle, which is a lobstering community, and also home to many art galleries and nature preserves. To get to Deer Isle, you can cross a bridge by car – no need to take a ferry.
And while these areas are definitely used to tourists, they’re not anywhere near as crowded as popular places along Maine’s coast, so you’ll typically find a more relaxed vibe here.
Here’s a list of things to do in the Blue Hill and Deer Isle area:
→ Nellie’s Jams and Jellies – A charming little cottage-turned-store that sells its own jellies and jams made on-site, as well as gifts to bring home. This little shop also showcases acres (yep! acres) of handmade sculptures created with found items, which makes for a really unique experience.
→ Blue Hill Cop-Op Market – A lovely little market & prepared foods store that sources their ingredients locally, and is a great stop to pick up some sandwiches and snacks.
→ Blue Hill Mountain Trail – A short 2-mile loop hike that offers amazing views of the harbor, as well as Mt. Desert Island, which is home to Acadia National Park.
→ Walk Around Stonington Village – The little village at the very end of Deer Isle is absolutely beautiful with plenty of picture-worthy moments.
How Many Days Do You Need To Drive From Portland To Acadia?
If you’re driving from Portland to Acadia National Park, and want to make lots of stops, I suggest you budget a minimum of 4 nights, which includes time in Bar Harbor and Acadia. This will allow you to stop for a night on your way to Acadia, spend 2 nights in Bar Harbor/Acadia and then stop for another night on your drive back to Portland. I suggest you spend the night during the drive to and from Acadia because it will allow you to not feel rushed at each stop along the way.
If you’re short on time, you could also just do 2 nights in Bar Harbor, and try not to spend the night on your drive there or back. In that case, you could do this trip in a weekend.
If you have more than 4 nights, then I highly suggest allowing yourself 5-6 nights for this trip, which would be ideal. Acadia National Park is absolutely amazing with tons of things to do, and you can easily spend 3 nights just in Acadia and Bar Harbor. And then you would still have flexibility to stay overnight on your way there, and back so you don’t feel rushed.
Psst! I have some helpful guides you may enjoy for once you arrive in Acadia, including my Acadia National Park Itinerary, and the Best Time To Visit Acadia National Park.
Suggested Itineraries For Breaking Up The Stops
If you’d like to break up the stops during your coastal New England drive from Portland to Acadia National Park, and do half on your way to Acadia, and half on your way back to Portland, these are the suggested routes to evenly break up your driving time.
Best Stops From Portland To Acadia National Park
→ Giant’s Stairs on Bailey’s Island
→ Boothbay Harbor
→ Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (with an option for lunch at Pemaquid Seafood)
→ Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
→ Camden to spend the night, and the next morning
→ Young’s Lobster Pound in Belfast for lunch before getting to Acadia
→ Acadia National Park – You made it!
Best Stops From Acadia National Park To Portland
→ Deer Isle & Blue Hill
→ Owl’s Head
→ Marshall Point Lighthouse
→ Friendship (with an optional stop at Jameson Lobster Point for lunch)
→ Wiscasset to spend the night, and the next morning
→ Freeport
→ Back to Portland – What a great road trip!
Best Towns To Stay Overnight During The Drive
There are three towns that I think are the best for overnight stays if you’d like to take your time during the drive from Portland to Acadia and really enjoy all the stops along the way. These towns are: Wiscasset, Camden and Boothbay Harbor. I suggest these towns for overnight stays because they have the most to do, so you’ll have plenty of dining and hotel options, as well as sites to see in the area and things to do in the evening.
Wiscasset and Boothbay Harbor are very close to each other, so you’ll likely pick between these during one leg of your journey. Both are beautiful, but if I had to pick between the two, I would suggest Boothbay Harbor because I think it’s a more unique town and has more hotel options. It’s hard to go wrong with either choice, though.
Here are my suggestions for hotels in these three towns for overnight stays:
Boothbay Harbor: Harborage Inn, which is located right in downtown Boothbay Harbor on the water, and includes a wonderful breakfast and parking in the room rate.
Click here to check out the Harborage Inn in Boothbay Harbor
Rockland: Rockland Harbor Hotel: Steps from Main Street, you’ll have the best of both worlds and be close to shopping and dining, while enjoying harbor views from the hotel.
Click here to check out the Rockland Harbor Hotel
Camden: Camden Harbour Inn, a cozy New England inn that’s just steps from downtown, is home to Natalie’s, one of the best restaurants in town!
Click here to check out the Camden Harbour Inn
Portland To Acadia National Park Road Trip Tips
→ Be sure to gas up frequently. I suggest you stop to fill up when you reach a half tank. Some of these stops are more remote, and while you should be able to find gas stations everywhere along this route, it’s best not to risk it.
→ Offline maps to your phone. While you’ll have cell service during most of the drive, you will likely lose it during parts of the drive.
→ Keep in mind that Maine is very seasonal, and many things are closed between October/November-April/May. You won’t run into this problem as much with sites and landmarks, but restaurant hours may be affected. Be sure to plan accordingly and check hours of operation before making a special trip.
→ Have some cash on you. Most places along the coast of Maine will take cards, but a few popular places (like Reds in Wiscasset) only accept cash. It’s also good to have a bank card that reimburses you for ATM fees, as most places that are cash only will have an ATM on-site.
Looking to also visit Canada on your trip? I’ve got you covered!
Check out my guide on traveling from Bar Harbor, Maine to Nova Scotia for all my tips 😉
Other road trips you may enjoy:
- My Unforgettable Boston To Bar Harbor, Maine Road Trip Itinerary
- Best Stops To Make Driving From Boston To Stowe, VT
- Best Stops To Make Driving From Boston To Portland, Maine
- The Perfect 7 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary
- The Perfect New England Fall Road Trip
More Of My Maine Travel Guides:
- Maine In November: Is It Worth Visiting?
- Maine In The Spring: Where To Go & What To Do
- Is Acadia National Park Worth Visiting?
- Maine In October: Best Fall Foliage Spots & Things To Do
- Maine In The Winter
- Bar Harbor, Maine In The Winter
- Portland, Maine In The Winter
- Best Breweries In Portland, Maine
- Best Day Trips From Portland, Maine
- The Best Maine Lighthouse Road Trip Itinerary
- Best Breweries In Portland, Maine
- Blueberry Picking In Maine
- Maine In The Summer
That’s A Wrap On The Best Stops To Make Driving From Portland To Acadia
There are so many wonderful things to see and do when driving from Portland to Acadia National Park. Hopefully you’re now inspired to plan some extra time during your road trip to allow for all the stops on this list! Happy planning 😊
