US 2 Maine to Vermont

[dmccubbin]

I will be in Maine in August and will be heading back toward AZ (not necessarily in the shortest route). I am considering taking US 2 from Interstate 95 in Maine to Interstate 93 in Vermont. We are driving a Dynaquest and don't mind 2 lane roads and most hills. Is there anything about that route we should know about?

[lewisra]

Can't help with the route, it's been too many years, be sure to stop at MT Washington.

[kenandterry]

We did the same route from Lake Placid area to Calais Maine a couple of years back and we’ll do it again this year heading out to the Canadian Maritimes.

Like mentioned above.....if you’ve got time, visit Mt. Washington (highest mountain East of the Mississippi). I don’t think they allow motorhomes up the mountain but they have 4WD passenger vans, or there’s the COG Railway up the backside of the mountain.
If you need a base camp nearby, check into Timberland Campground right on US 2 just North East of Mt. Washington.

https://timberlandcampgroundnh.com/

If you can, continue along US 2/I-93 westbound to Waterbury Vermont....
home of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream. Great tours and free ice cream.

Then for a real treat......follow Vermont Route 100 South to wherever.
..voted one of the 10 best scenic roads in the USA. Lots of waterfalls and scenic sites to see, so watch out for tourists.

[Theo]

I-93 is in New Hampshire and runs south toward Boston. That may not be the interstate you want if generally heading west. The route below includes traveling on I-93 from Lincoln, NH to just south of Concord, NH.

I assume you're getting on Rt. 2 in either Bangor or Newport, ME and heading west? If so, I'd suggest the following:

- Bangor/Newport west on Rt. 2 to Gorham, NH.
- Gorham south on Rt. 16 to Mt. Washington
- Mt. Washington south on Rt. 16 to Conway, NH
- Conway west on Rt. 112 to Lincoln, NH (Kancamagus Highway - spectacular!)
- Lincoln south on I-93 to Concord, NH
- Concord to I-89 north to Rt. 9/Rt.202 exit
- Rt. 9/Rt. 202 to Keene, NH
- Keene west on Rt. 9 to Brattleboro, VT. At that point, you can head farther west on Rt. 9 to Bennington, VT or head south on I-91 toward Massachusetts.

Notes:

- There will be a lot of traffic at that time of the year so take the times Google Maps tells you and add about 25-30%.

- At Mt. Washington, park your rig by the Glenn House and take one of the "Stages" (HD passenger vans) up the Autoroad to the summit. They're not cheap but (a) someone who knows the road is driving and (b) you will be free to watch the transition from farmland to an high alpine environment. There's a great observation building (with food, restrooms and info) as well as a museum which is quite interesting. Be sure to find the wall plaque listing all the "unauthorized descents" that have happened in the last 100-years or so.

- From Mt. Washington to Conway, you will be passing through North Conway. This is a big tourist destination so the traffic is very heavy during the day. Have patience, though; North Conway to Conway is much lees crowded.

- No life is complete without traveling the Kancamagus Highway (NH Rt. 112 west)! you will experience smooth elevation changes, a number of pull-outs, cool air and gorgeous vistas. Lincoln is your end destination where you can have a bite to eat and fuel-up before getting on I-93 south. The "Kanc" is a favorite of sports car drivers and motorcyclists. Keep an eye out for them.

- Traveling down I-93 to Concord, I-89 north (seems like it should be west!) is about 3 miles south of Concord. Heading north on I-89, the Rt. 9/Rt. 202 exit is on the left. You want to head toward Henniker, NH.

- Rt. 9/Rt. 202 toward Keene is narrow in a few places. It can also have sports cars and motorcyclists. There is generally no passing on the narrow sections so, again, have patience.

Your return trip sounds wonderful. Have fun and travel safely!

[dmccubbin]

You are correct concerning I93. Guess I was a bit tired when I posted last night. I was correct about Vermont, but should have said I91.

Thanks for the detailed info. It is most helpful in trip planning.

[seizethebay]

This is great as I will be driving from Acadia home to Flordia with no real route planned yet in Sept

[n-e-d]

At Lincoln I like 93N thru Franconia Notch with stops at the Flume and Mirror Lake(Old man of the Mountain-such as it is now).Then north on 93 to rejoin Rt 2 at St Johnsbury.Then 2 thru to Burlington. Plenty of side trips off of 2 thru vermont though they would be easier with a toad.

[dfreeman]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

We did the same route from Lake Placid area to Calais Maine a couple of years back and we’ll do it again this year heading out to the Canadian Maritimes.

Like mentioned above.....if you’ve got time, visit Mt. Washington (highest mountain East of the Mississippi). I don’t think they allow motorhomes up the mountain but they have 4WD passenger vans, or there’s the COG Railway up the backside of the mountain.
If you need a base camp nearby, check into Timberland Campground right on US 2 just North East of Mt. Washington.

https://timberlandcampgroundnh.com/

If you can, continue along US 2/I-93 westbound to Waterbury Vermont....
home of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream. Great tours and free ice cream.

Then for a real treat......follow Vermont Route 100 South to wherever.
..voted one of the 10 best scenic roads in the USA. Lots of waterfalls and scenic sites to see, so watch out for tourists.

I'm sorry but Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina is the highest (tallest) mountain east of the Mississippi river. It is some 400+ ft. taller than Mt. Washington.

[andymil]

The Shelburne Museum in VT is worth going out of your way. 39 buildings on 45 acres near Lake Champlain. When you buy your tickets, they are good for two days. You’ll need two days to see everything. Google it.

Someone told us about it when we were in Bar Harbor, and we were glad we went.

[extxn]

Originally Posted by n-e-d

At Lincoln I like 93N thru Franconia Notch with stops at the Flume and Mirror Lake(Old man of the Mountain-such as it is now).Then north on 93 to rejoin Rt 2 at St Johnsbury.Then 2 thru to Burlington. Plenty of side trips off of 2 thru vermont though they would be easier with a toad.

DO NOT take Route 2 from St. Johnsbury, VT to Montpelier, VT toward Burlington, VT! It's a narrow 2 lane road at the best, full of major pot holes and the traffic can be anything from Granma & Granpa to loaded logging trucks & semi's since it is still a major thread across the state. I used to travel that road many times before relocating back home and know it well.

I-91 runs north & south ~ Canada line to I-95 in Connecticut.

I-93 runs west & east (at an angle) from Boston to Burlington. Joins I-91 just south outside of St. Johnsbury.

I-89 also runs west & east (on an angle) but farther mid ways down of Vermont state.

Those are the ONLY major highways in that area. All other roads are normally 2 lane roads with everyday traffic of every kind on them.

Be alert and enjoy the northeastern country.

[extxn]

Originally Posted by dmccubbin

I will be in Maine in August and will be heading back toward AZ (not necessarily in the shortest route). I am considering taking US 2 from Interstate 95 in Maine to Interstate 93 in Vermont. We are driving a Dynaquest and don't mind 2 lane roads and most hills. Is there anything about that route we should know about?

There is a ferry in the northern part of Vermont you can cross over into New York state on, that one hauls motorcycles to semi's and a very short ride. The other ferry from Burlington to NY will cost you A LOT and is a very long ride.


The Adirondack Mountains and northern NY make for a beautiful trip, but fuel prices are crazy up there (anywhere in NY). We went up last summer and gas was over $3 a gallon, around mid to high $2 everywhere else.

[ysidive]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

We did the same route from Lake Placid area to Calais Maine a couple of years back and we’ll do it again this year heading out to the Canadian Maritimes.

Like mentioned above.....if you’ve got time, visit Mt. Washington (highest mountain East of the Mississippi). I don’t think they allow motorhomes up the mountain but they have 4WD passenger vans, or there’s the COG Railway up the backside of the mountain.
If you need a base camp nearby, check into Timberland Campground right on US 2 just North East of Mt. Washington.

https://timberlandcampgroundnh.com/

If you can, continue along US 2/I-93 westbound to Waterbury Vermont....
home of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream. Great tours and free ice cream.

Then for a real treat......follow Vermont Route 100 South to wherever.
..voted one of the 10 best scenic roads in the USA. Lots of waterfalls and scenic sites to see, so watch out for tourists.

Just a short note... Mt Washington is NOT the tallest mountain East of the Mississippi....The highest peak East of the Mississippi is Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina... Just thought that I would give you a good trivia question and answer...… Most people will answer Mt Washington..