Boston to Bar Harbor Road Trip With Kids

Portland makes a good break on the way. Save Acadia for the next morning, when everyone has energy for the trails and Sand Beach.

The drive

Distance: About 280 miles
Typical drive time: About 4 hours 45 minutes

Measured from Boston, as stated by the official source listed at the bottom of this page. Traffic, weather and stops with kids add time, so plan for a longer day than the map shows.

Kid-friendly stops on the way

Each stop was checked on its own official site. Open it before you go for current hours, prices and any closures.

Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
Portland, ME
A children's museum and theatre with interactive exhibits and performances for families.
Official site
Acadia National Park
Mount Desert Island, ME
A national park of rocky Atlantic coast with hiking trails, carriage roads and Sand Beach.
Official site

Need more ideas before you leave? Browse things to do with kids in Boston or plan a different route.

Free road-trip stop checklist

Stop before everyone runs out of patience: how to plan a real break to burn energy, pick an indoor backup in case it rains, and add up the family total before you pay. One page, emailed now. Then The Weekend Scout once a week: one family outing idea for the weekend. Free. Unsubscribe from any email.

Three things to plan before you leave

A vehicle reservation is required to drive the Cadillac Summit Road from late May to mid-October.
The Park Loop Road closes every year from December 1 through April 14, with two short sections open all year.
Portland makes a good break for food, fuel and restrooms.

Checked against: Visit Maine: Boston to Maine road trip, NPS: Acadia National Park, NPS: Acadia directions (checked Nov 1, 2026)

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Plan the Boston to Bar Harbor family road trip with a Portland children's museum and Acadia National Park tips.

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