Are our plans feasible for a day trip please?

Hello all.
When we are in Maine next month we thought about an early start from our base in Portland, Maine, to Bar Harbor. We would then drive back at a leisurely pace, taking in Belfast and Camden on our way back to Portland. Could this be done please?
Many thanks,
Lisa

Bar Harbor (Maine) ⇨ Portland (Maine) Belfast (Maine) Camden (Maine) Maine (ME)

2 Answers

answered first by

Paul from Portland (Maine)

I live in Portland and have traveled to Bar Harbor for work many times. It is a good 3 to 3 1/2 hours to Bar Harbor without traffic. In the fall, route 1 can be slow, especially in some of the smaller towns like wiscasset. Belfast (Maine) and Camden (Maine) are both great places to stop. But with seven hours of round trip driving, at least, you wouldn’t have too much time in each place. In Bar Harbor, driving around Mt Desert Island and the national park is great! Places like Southwest Harbor and Thunder Hole are great stops.
Can you do it? I guess, but I think a trip to Bar Harbor and MDI from Portland and back is a full day. It depends on how much you want to explore on foot and how much you want to be rushed. Camden is all little shops and restaurants and so much fun to walk around. (A bit more picturesque then Belfast, which I also like.)
Whatever you choose, you’ll have a great time on the Maine coast! You’ve picked some beautiful places to visit! Enjoy.