Driving. . . insights from those who've bumped along

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M
Getting about demands patience

April 22, 2008--Even if you arrive by plane, in the end you will be driving. And driving in Maine - especially during the summer-- requires patience.

Since Maine has only two seasons--winte and road-repair--the summer must serve multiple purposes: repairing snowplow damage [which this year, 2008, is quite extensive] and expediting tourists' flow in and out of the state.

US-1 Traffic Rant

If, like most travelers, you enter the state from the south on I-95/295, sooner or later you will find yourself on US-1, the coastal route.

Typically, travelers exit at Brunswick or Topsham to travel northward through Bath.

However, if your initial destination is Camden-Rockport-Rockland or north, that's a bad decision. The highway department has closed US 1 north of Bath for a couple of miles, and all, that is ALL, traffic north and south is routed on a crumbling terciary road never intended for anything heavier than a pick-up truck. It is now carrying all truck and auto traffic.

If you are not seeking to arrive at points south of Rockland and north of Bath, the best alternative is to remain on 95/295 to Augusta, then head east. Route 17 East from Augusta to Rockport-Camden-Rockalnd is a reasonable alternative.

Depending on your destination, this option may take a bit longer, but it will be a lot less frustrating, and damaging to your car.

By going to Augusta, you'll bypass the infamous Maine Yankee nuclear power plant--now being dismantled--in Wiscasset. Oh well, other rewards will compensate.

Other Options

Alternatives, which might be cheaper than paying for the gas to drive from Boston's Logan airport, are to flyino Bangor or Augusta and then drive east to the coast. Frankly, if you are flying into the region, we recommend bypassing Boston completely.

Yet another option is to fly into Halifax, Nova Scotia; visit that beautiful Maritime area, and then you can catch The Cat to Bar Harbor or Portland, where you can rent a vehicle to tour locally.
The CAT is a high speed passenger and car ferry operating on two Maine routes: Portland - Yarmouth, NS, and Bar Harbor - Yarmouth. Carrying up to 775 passengers and 240 cars across the Gulf of Maine, the ship operates from May to October.

In our opinion, The CAT is the best way between Maine and Nova Scotia, and the most fun.