From Delaware to Bar Harbor, ME

[Carriew5500]

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!

[glc]

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.

[AZBuck]

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