From Delaware to Bar Harbor, ME

Hi all

I stumbled across this board while doing research for the upcoming trip which actually is happening this Sat (8/7). I will be traveling with my Mom and my two teenage daughters. We have attempted this trip three other times usually towing a camper but find it very easy to get distracted traveling thru New England and have never made it to Bar Harbor. This year we are driving with reservations at a hotel right outside in Trenton, ME (right outside of Bar Harbor) so I know we will finally get to our destination.

So here's where your input would help. We are driving up the coast and looking for places to stop. I am a little worried about the traffic going thru NY so I am looking for an alternate route to bypass the congestion. Not trying to make the trip in a day so looking for somewhere to spend a night along the way.

We are interested in parks, swimming holes, great water falls, hiking trails, rafting or kayaking. Any unique places or "Must See's" which includes restaurants & attractions. Up for anything to make this a memorable trip because both of my girls will be leaving for college soon.

Planning on doing a whales watching trip and a sunset sailing trip around Arcadia. Going to visit Jordon's pond and have a popover. Going to try my first lobster at Lobster Pound.

Looking forward to your responses. thanks ever so much!

Welcome!

I can't help you too much with things to do and see on the way, but I can suggest a route that will keep you way far away from the NYC congestion.

You didn't say where in DE you are, but you pretty much have to get to I-95 to get out of the state, so take 95 through Wilmington and pick up US-202. Take that north, when you get to King of Prussia, get on the PA Turnpike east. Go up the Northeast Extension (I-476) to Scranton and pick up I-84 east. You would probably want to get off the turnpike at the airport exit and get on I-81 to get you to 84. Take I-84 to just past Waterbury CT and take I-691 over to I-91 north. Just south of Hartford, take the Charter Oak Bridge (US-5/CT-15) which will take you back to I-84. Take that to the Mass Pike, go east to I-495, take that all the way around Boston to I-95 north to Maine.

This DOES add 100 miles to your trip, but I also think it's a lot more scenic than grinding your way up I-95 all the way. For planning purposes, it's about 400 miles from Dover to the CT/MA state line, which is about an 8 hour drive. I'd plan on an overnight somewhere around there, perhaps Sturbridge. There's chain hotels, inns, and B&B's all around there. That's Mass Tim's territory, hopefully he will see this and be able to give you some real local information.

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

I've done the bulk of that drive so many times that I sympathize with your desires to avoid New York City and to break it up into a couple of days. I have my own favorite route through the New York City area, but it would require some serious navigational skills from your co-pilot as well as too much trust in me, a stranger. By way of a hint, when I first took my brother on my route he asked me why it included drives across peoples' lawns. A slight exaggeration, but you get the idea - it does include three digit county roads. For someone who's looking for something a bit easier, try this: Take the Jersey Turnpike to exit 10 and pick up I-287 northwest around New York. Continue north when you reach I-87 in New York state to I-84 near Newburgh, NY. I-84 will take you all the way through Connecticut and then join the Mass Pike near Sturbridge. Use the Mass Pike for one exit to Worcester and hop onto I-290 there. Note: This is roughly halfway, so an overnight in the Worcester/Shrewsbury/Marlborough area is probably in order. Use I-495 around Boston to I-95 just before entering New Hampshire, and then it's just I-95/US-1 the rest of the way to Trenton.

Since this appears to be an all female trip, let me suggest the following stops: The Mark Twain house in West Hartford, CT is worth a visit on both historic and architectural grounds. If you have the time, the Harriet Beecher Stowe house is next door. In Portsmouth, NH Strawbery Banke is a restoration of an early colonial town that's a lot less expensive than Sturbridge Village, and if you must have a lobster from a real lobster pound as soon as you get to Maine, Warren's is directly across the river in Kittery, ME. If there are any history buffs in your group, a detour down ME-129 from Damariscotta will bring you to Colonial Pemaquid.

AZBuck