US 1 Freeport to Bar Harbor

[awellis3]

Penny and I are making our bucket list trip to Acadia NP this September. We'll be stopping in Freeport to visit the "mother ship." Since seeing this part of the country is the idea of the trip, I was wondering if taking US Rt. 1 from Freeport to Bar Harbor is worth doing? Pros? Cons?
I'm all for driving major federal routes as long as cities, large towns and traffic lights aren't involved.

[A32Deuce]

We did route 1 years ago. Small towns have traffic and lights but other wise a very nice trip. There is a lot to do and see. On the way into Bar Harbor is an Airport with glider rides out over the park. Worth the ride. The park is also nice.

[n-e-d]

We generally go twice a year to Acadia,spring and fall. I generally take 1 just after Brunswick and follow it to Ellsworth with the exception of the Rte 90 bypass of Rockland(just a little tight downtown). There are lights and tourist areas but it is far more interesting than the Maine pike. Depending on your plans the Wiscasset/Boothbay area is interesting with a good CG-Shore Hills, a different restaurant Morses Sauerkraut farm and deli(and of course Reds in Wiscasset). Camden is just up the road and has Camden Hills SP CG. We usually stop at one of the Penobscot River overlooks in Bucksport for lunch or at the Fort Knox SP. Theres an elevator ride that takes you up to observation tower in the bridge thats cool. Septembers a good time to hit Acadia

[MaineCampingFan]

September is wonderful in Maine. Days can be warm, not hot and the evenings pleasantly cool. Leaves are starting to turn in the north and usually traffic falls off after Labor Day, although Bar Harbor tourist season reaches into October these days.
Taking Rt 1 will add a chunk of time, however a lot to see and do and eat and is worth the extra time.
Avoid the "mothership" on a weekend, it is packed.

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by MaineCampingFan

Taking Rt 1 will add a chunk of time, however a lot to see and do and eat and is worth the extra time.
Avoid the "mothership" on a weekend, it is packed.

We'll be visiting LL Bean on Monday, thanks for the warning.
You said "add a chunk of time." We won't be stopping or visiting any places just gazing out the truck window at the scenery. How many hours will US 1 take?

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by n-e-d

We generally go twice a year to Acadia,spring and fall. I generally take 1 just after Brunswick and follow it to Ellsworth with the exception of the Rte 90 bypass of Rockland(just a little tight downtown). There are lights and tourist areas but it is far more interesting than the Maine pike.

Thanks for the route tip. I looked at the map and I see you are getting off US 1 at Warren and taking 90 to Rockport, right?
About how many hours is this trip from Brunswick to Bar Harbor?

[MaineCampingFan]

Originally Posted by awellis3

We'll be visiting LL Bean on Monday, thanks for the warning.
You said "add a chunk of time." We won't be stopping or visiting any places just gazing out the truck window at the scenery. How many hours will US 1 take?

It will depend on traffic definitely, so roll the dice. I would say in winter, Freeport to Bar Harbor would be 2 1/2 hours along the interstate to Bangor, then 1A to MDI, then onto Rt 3. Via Route 1...and I'm guessing now....3 1/2 hours. I would add in about 30-60 minutes to these times.

From my home to Acadia in the winter is a 45 minute drive. In summer, it's double that. Try to avoid weekend traffic if possible.

N-E-D has some good advice as well. I live here and head northwest when I go camping. My favorite campground is 8 miles past the sign that say's you're 5 miles from nowhere.

[MaineCampingFan]

Originally Posted by awellis3

We'll be stopping in Freeport to visit the "mother ship."

I should have added that while L L Bean is well worth the stop (open 24/7), Cabelas in Scarborough is well worth the stop depending on what you may be looking for. Plenty of parking for RV's, has a dump station ($ I believe) and while officially does not allow overnight parking, I think some have.

[n-e-d]

Well now that you mention Scarborough we were there two weeks ago at Old Orchard Beach CG- Black forest section is really nice The Clambake for fried clamsGood stuff. Cabela's and a little further up the road Walmart/Lowes always seem to have RVs in the back end of their lots.
Its a left in Warren to 90 off of 1 keep and eye out to be sure not to miss it and it drops you back on 1 outside of Rockport. MaineCampingFan times are spot on and you never know when you might get behind a slo poke RVer

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by MaineCampingFan

It will depend on traffic definitely, so roll the dice...

Well, we're coming from Freeport on a Tuesday. My problem is my DW becomes "antsy" after 4 hours of travel. This trip is my idea (my bucket list) and she's being a sport to agree. If taking US 1 is going to add too much sitting-in-the-truck time to that leg, I'll boogie up 95.