Bangor, Maine: 10 Short Scenic Road Trips for Weekend Adventures

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10 Easy Day Trips From Bangor, Maine: Iconic Road Adventures Beyond Penobscot County

If you’re in Bangor, Maine and itching to get out of town for a bit, you’re in luck. Within just a couple of hours, you can reach wild coastlines, quiet lakes, tiny lobster wharfs, and deep North Woods—without hopping on a plane. This guide focuses on short out-of-county road trips from Bangor, exploring fun things to do in nearby counties like Hancock, Waldo, Washington, Aroostook, Piscataquis, and Somerset. No Penobscot County spots here—this is all about what lies just beyond. Gas up, grab a coffee, and let’s roll.

1. Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park (Hancock County)

Distance from Bangor: about 50 miles / ~1 hour drive If you only have time for one road trip from Bangor, let it be this one. Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park are the classic coastal Maine combo: ocean views, rocky shorelines, and postcard-perfect streets.
  • Drive Park Loop Road: A scenic 27-mile loop with overlooks, trailheads, and ocean breezes. You can pull over often, so it’s great even if you’re not a hardcore hiker.
  • Walk the Shore Path: A simple, flat oceanside stroll right in Bar Harbor. Great for all ages.
  • Cadillac Mountain (seasonal reservations may apply): Drive up for sweeping views of the islands and bays. Sunrise here is legendary.
  • Grab a lobster roll: Bar Harbor has no shortage of spots where you can eat fresh, local seafood.
On a clear day, the light on the water is so bright it almost feels like the sky and sea blur together. If you’ve ever wondered what “Down East Maine” really looks like, this is it.

2. Camden, Rockport & Rockland: Coastal Charm Trip (Waldo & Knox Region)

Distance from Bangor to Camden: about 60 miles / ~1 hour 15 minutes Head south and you’ll hit one of the prettiest stretches of Maine’s midcoast. While Camden and Rockport are in Knox County, the drive from Bangor passes through Waldo County, giving you that rolling-hill-meets-harbor feel.
  • Camden Hills State Park: Hike or drive up Mount Battie for views over Camden Harbor. On clear days you can see islands scattered across Penobscot Bay.
  • Stroll Camden Harbor: Watch schooners, wander side streets, and pop into small shops.
  • Rockland’s art scene: About 20 minutes south of Camden, Rockland has galleries, museums, and a working harbor vibe.
If you like that classic “New England harbor with white-steepled churches” look, this road trip will hit the spot.

3. Belfast: Small Harbor Town With Big Personality (Waldo County)

Distance from Bangor: about 35 miles / ~45 minutes For a shorter, more relaxed drive, Belfast makes a great half-day trip from Bangor. It’s artsy, walkable, and right on the water.
  • Walk the Harbor Walk: An easy path that gives you views of the harbor, boats, and the big Route 1 bridge.
  • Explore downtown: Used bookstores, art galleries, cafes, and funky shops line the streets.
  • Belfast Rail Trail: A flat, family-friendly walking and biking path along the river.
Belfast has a laid-back feel. It’s the kind of place where you can linger over a cup of coffee and just watch the tide shift.

4. Lubec & West Quoddy Head Lighthouse (Washington County)

Distance from Bangor: about 120 miles / ~2.5 hours Want to feel like you’re at the edge of the world? Drive “Down East” to Lubec, home to West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, the easternmost point of the U.S. mainland.
  • West Quoddy Head Lighthouse: Iconic red-and-white stripes, crashing surf, and coastal trails with rugged views.
  • Quoddy Head State Park: Short hikes with dramatic cliffs and, in season, wild berries and seabirds.
  • Explore Lubec village: Quiet, colorful, and just across the water from Canada.
The drive itself feels like a journey—smaller towns, stretches of forest, and that salty Downeast air. If you’re into lighthouses and wide-open ocean views, this one belongs on your list.

5. Machias & Jasper Beach (Washington County)

Distance from Bangor: about 95 miles / ~2 hours Another great Washington County road trip heads toward Machias, one of the older settlements in Maine, and then on to the quietly stunning Jasper Beach.
  • Jasper Beach: Instead of sand, you’ll find smooth, colorful stones. As the waves roll in and out, the rocks make a soft, rushing sound that’s oddly calming.
  • Wild blueberry country: This region is famous for lowbush blueberries; depending on season, you may spot fields glowing deep blue.
  • Downtown Machias: Small, historic, and a good place to grab a bite before or after the beach.
If you like quieter spots where you can hear the ocean and not much else, this is a great side trip from Bangor.

6. Moosehead Lake Getaway: Greenville & Beyond (Piscataquis County)

Distance from Bangor to Greenville: about 70 miles / ~1.5 hours Head northwest into Piscataquis County and the feel of your day changes completely. Welcome to Moosehead Lake, one of Maine’s largest and wildest lakes.
  • Greenville: The main gateway town with shops, diners, and outfitters.
  • Scenic lake views: Drive along the shore, pull off at viewpoints, or find a public boat launch to sit by the water.
  • Possible moose sightings: Early morning or near dusk, watch the edges of wetlands and quiet backroads.
If the coast is all about lighthouses and lobster boats, Moosehead is about tall pines, long views, and that classic North Woods feeling.

7. Katahdin Region via Millinocket (Piscataquis/Aroostook Border Area)

Distance from Bangor to Millinocket: about 70 miles / ~1.25 hours While Baxter State Park itself lies mostly beyond Penobscot County limits, heading north toward the Katahdin region brings you into the orbit of both Piscataquis and nearby Aroostook wilderness.
  • Millinocket area: A traditional mill town turned outdoor hub.
  • Scenic viewpoints of Katahdin: Even if you don’t hike, just seeing Maine’s tallest peak rising over lakes and forests is worth the drive.
  • Outdoor options: Canoeing, casual hikes, or just picnicking by a lake with mountain views.
If you’ve ever wanted to see the kind of landscape that Appalachian Trail thru-hikers dream about, this is your window into it—without having to hike hundreds of miles.

8. Skowhegan & the Kennebec River (Somerset County)

Distance from Bangor: about 75 miles / ~1.5 hours Drive west to Skowhegan in Somerset County for a different slice of Maine: rivers, farms, mills, and a strong sense of local history.
  • Kennebec River views: Walk across bridges, check out riverfront areas, and watch the water rush by.
  • Historic downtown: Old brick buildings, local shops, and restaurants with a hometown feel.
  • Scenic backroads: Use Skowhegan as a starting point to wander toward lakes and small towns across Somerset County.
This is a relaxed trip if you enjoy poking around smaller communities and taking the “long way” on winding, scenic roads.

9. The County Sampler: Houlton & Southern Aroostook (Aroostook County)

Distance from Bangor to Houlton: about 120 miles / ~2 hours Locals simply call it “The County.” Aroostook County is huge, rural, and full of open skies. A good starting point is Houlton, near the New Brunswick border.
  • Classic small-town main street: Walk around, grab lunch, and admire historic buildings.
  • Scenic farmland: On the way in and out, you’ll pass long fields, rolling hills, and wide-open views that feel very different from coastal Maine.
  • Quiet country drives: Explore side roads, especially late in the day when the light turns golden.
If you’re used to busy highways, this drive will feel peaceful—almost like stepping back in time.

10. Deer Isle & Stonington: Island Village Escape (Hancock County)

Distance from Bangor: about 60–70 miles / ~1.5 hours Head southeast into Hancock County and cross the narrow bridge onto Deer Isle. From there, you can continue down to Stonington, a true working lobster town that still feels authentic and unpolished in the best way.
  • Deer Isle’s backroads: Wind through forests, coves, and old stone walls.
  • Stonington Harbor: Watch lobster boats come and go, listen to gulls, and breathe in that strong salt air.
  • Art and galleries: The island has a surprisingly strong arts community, from pottery to painting.
This trip is perfect if you want a quieter alternative to Bar Harbor but still crave that rocky-coast, island-town experience.

Tips for Planning Your Bangor Road Trips

  • Check the seasons: Some roads, parks, and businesses have limited hours in fall, winter, and early spring.
  • Carry layers: Coastal towns can feel cool even in summer, and the North Woods can change temperature quickly.
  • Fuel up smart: Once you leave larger towns, gas stations can be far apart, especially in Aroostook and Washington Counties.
  • Light snacks & water: Simple, but handy on longer stretches of rural highway.
Think of Bangor as your hub. From here, you can spin out in almost any direction and hit a completely different version of Maine in just one day.

Share Your Own Bangor Day Trip Ideas

Have you taken any of these day trips from Bangor? Did you discover a hidden beach, a great little diner, or a roadside view that blew you away?
  • Drop a comment with your favorite out-of-county road trip from Bangor.
  • Share this post with friends or family planning a Maine vacation—especially if they’re using Bangor as a base.
The more we share our routes and little discoveries, the easier it is for others to plan their own Maine adventures. If you’ve got a must-see spot in Hancock, Waldo, Washington, Aroostook, Piscataquis, or Somerset County, I’d love to hear about it.
Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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