Southern Maryland to August Maine

[MCPO Ret]

We will be heading to Augusta Maine for the Spring/Summer around the first week of May. We are in no hurry but would like to find a route that avoids the big city mess as much as possible. Mapquest and other route designers send us up using the Jersery and Garden State Parkway or going through New York (George Washington Bridge). There just has to be a better route - again, we don't mind going the extra miles to avoid bumper to bumper traffic. Thanks in advance to anyone that can recommend a route.

[MCPO Ret]

We will be heading to Augusta Maine for the Spring/Summer around the first week of May. We are in no hurry but would like to find a route that avoids the big city mess as much as possible. Mapquest and other route designers send us up using the Jersery and Garden State Parkway or going through New York (George Washington Bridge). There just has to be a better route - again, we don't mind going the extra miles to avoid bumper to bumper traffic. Thanks in advance to anyone that can recommend a route.

[Ding-a-ling]

Hi Bill,

Depending upon where "southern Maryland" is, your route would vary. Assuming you're not on the Eastern shore I would say get yourself over to I-81, then I-84 thru CT and MA. In MA, I-90 and 495 to I-95. Stay on I-95 around Portland, ME.

Maybe use I-83 up to I-81 at Harrisburg.

If you're on the Eastern shore, I'd say take DE Rte. 1 to I-95. Before Phila., take I-476 and use that up to I-81.

We have used those routes many times (we are from the Allentown, PA area). Would say avoid travelling the Phila. and Boston area during rush hour - otherwise, you'll be fine.

If you have time while in Maine, be sure to see Acadia NP and/or Boothbay Harbor. Kennebunk, ME has some great beaches - not too many of them found in Maine.

Safe travels!

[MCPO Ret]

Southern Maryland being Solomons - more inland than the Eastern shore - 81 is a good option.

[rebelsbeach]

Would second the 81 suggestion and especially the Acadia NP idea.... bee-you-tee-ful area.

[amy5708]

We've traveled from Maryland to Maine 5 or 6 times and have taken the I-81 route, I-95 route, and even went the whole way on US Hwy 1 on one adventurous trip! (in the car; not the RV)very pretty hugging the coast the whole way, but a much longer trip w/ all the stops and starts.

If you really don't want to go Garden State Pkwy (our preferred route; just go in the evening and it's wide open!)

I would travel up I-83, work your way to over to Scranton (222 to 476), then then east to Hartford.

FWIW, if traveling outside of Boston on a Friday during "beach season" on 495, traffic can be horrible! Think route 50 bay bridge traffic on steroids. We were stuck for 6 hours one trip.

We plan our trip to hit "hot spots" outside of big cities for weekdays or late at night/ early am.

Bar Harbor is great but tres touristy, Baxter State Park has tons of moose, and Eastport is the easternmost US and has Campobello island nearby which is very pretty to see.

We will climb Mt Katahdin (again!) this summer at Baxter!

Amy