Compare the Boston and Portland drives, nearest airports, coastal US-1, and the final approach to Mount Desert Island.
Arrival map
This map shows the main arrival choices before the rest of the trip gets locked in. Bangor is the primary approach to compare first. Portland is the helpful backup or add-on choice. The lines are planning corridors, not turn-by-turn road geometry, so use live directions before you drive.
Second Star gear guide
Road Trip Essentials
Road-trip packing list
Phone mounts, coolers, emergency kits, chargers, packing pieces, and glovebox backup for scenic drives and weekend routes.
Car Phone Mounts
$25.6
Road Trip Coolers
$275
Car Emergency Kits
$49.99
Most visitors drive to Bar Harbor. Mount Desert Island is connected to the mainland by a short causeway. Bar Harbor is at the northeast corner of the island.
From Boston, MA
~5 hours via I-95 N to US-1A through Ellsworth. Scenic alternate: US-1 along the coast (adds ~1 hr).
From Portland, ME
~3 hours via I-95 N to US-1A. Straightforward drive through midcoast Maine.
From New York City
~8–9 hours via I-95 N through Connecticut and Boston. Consider an overnight stop in Portland.
Parking in Bar Harbor
Downtown parking is regulated seasonally. Check the town's current map, rates, time limits, and overnight rules. The fare-free Island Explorer operates seasonally on published routes; it is not a substitute for checking the current schedule.
Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport
Located in Trenton near the Mount Desert Island causeway. It is the closest airport, but routes and ground transportation are limited; check the current airline schedule before booking.
Bangor International Airport
Roughly an hour-plus drive under ordinary conditions and often the practical choice for a broader flight search. Compare rental car hours and the Ellsworth approach.
Portland International Jetport
140 miles from Bar Harbor (~2.5 hr drive). Most flight options. Great if you want to start a scenic coastal drive up US-1.
The CAT has operated seasonally between Bar Harbor and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. It is an international trip, not local transit: verify the current sailing calendar, passport requirements, vehicle check-in time, fares, and customs rules with Bay Ferries.
Nova Scotia visitors can also take the Digby–Saint John ferry, then drive through New Brunswick and Maine.
Keep exploring
More great destinations to pair with this trip
