Travel from California to Maine

[sunmoon9x6]

We plan to travel with our 23ft trailer from LA California to Acadia, Maine this summer. Any suggestions and tips about the route will be highly appreciated!

[KJRitchie]

How long do you have to make the trip?

Kelvin

[PKI]

We made the trip last Fall to see the colors and spent a week in Yellowstone, a few days in Montana for a wedding, and then headed East. We hugged the Northern states on the way over.

Had never been to North Dakota, so checked that off the list. Went to Nancy's Notions in Beaver Lake Wisconsin. Skirted Chicago and shot down to Jackson Center to see the AS factory. Routed back up into New York to see Niagra Falls. Note - you can miss the toll roads if you try. We paid and dodged to get a mix. Not terrible in cost and some of the route is better than the alternatives.

Hold it there - Niagra Falls is a must do. We visited Goat Island. When we were there, a large parking lotwas available for RVs. It was not the standard car and bus lot, but rather one on the other end of the island. The parking fee was not being charged, so it was an inexpensive day in a very beautiful park. The tram was not running, but it was a wonderful walk up to the falls. We had a nice visit with a very helpful volunteer ranger. The area around the falls was under construction, but still impressive.

Moving on - we drove through the Adirondack Mountains of NE New York, We saw one of the best views when we popped out of a corner and saw a freshly mowed field of bright green grass with a bright red tractor pulling a trailer in the middle and the expansive Adirondack Mountains in the background.

Then we crossed over and came into Vermont through the islands on the West above Burlington. Take care - Burlington can get busy if a lot is going on when you are there. Took almost as much time to work our way South as if we were trying to get through LA. The difference being two lanes vs eight or ten.

We spent time seeing covered bridges (you can't tow over most, so plan carefully), the foliage drives including Smuggler's gap. Color was not great as the yer was not prime, but we liked the views.

Maine - Your destination is reported to be great. Brother was a week behind and that is where they went. The other side from Bar Harbor is suggested to get a bit of space. We hit the coast just about that area and found it to be a great get away. Kind of a step back in time. The Northern Maine roads were in poor shape. Lots of frost heave was evident. Maine blueberries are great. And somewhere in the state you can get lobster. We had ours in New Hampshire.

We stayed in Passport America parks on most of our overnights. That group worked well for us. It takes some planning, but is not terrible. We sat out a four day rain storm for $80. Spent everything we saved and then some at Keepsake quilting. It's all in the planning.

We moved South and visited The Mystic Seaport. We all have bucket destinations and that was one of mine. It was interesting, but less than I expected. If you are not a wooden boat lover it's a place that may not be to your liking.

We also made a pass through Lancaster County to see the Amish farms. Because they keep themselves to themselves, you have to accept a glimpse rather than immersion.

We had planned to see Williamsburg, but we hit it on a holiday and decided to skip it. We should have spent a couple of days resting and visited after the weekend. My brother spent some time in Gettysburg. We saw a bear traveling through West Virginia and really enjoyed the Cracker Barrels as long as they lasted.

We planned on seeing the National Quilt museum in Kentucky, but our timing was off. We'll do that the next time we get close.

The trip was about 6 weeks. We could have spent more time seeing and less time pushing to get to the next destination.

Good luck on your trip. Travel safe. Pat

[OTRA15]

We made a comparable trip in the 1990's from NY to San Diego, then up to Napa, and back in 7 weeks. Because it was winter, we had to take a very southern route each way, which added miles and time. Given that your trip will be in summer, maybe follow the weather, and go as far north as possible, even into Canada if your insurance (incl. health) and personal interests agree?

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is supposed to be beautiful, and a route through Sault Ste. Marie, Ottawa and Montreal is only slightly north of a straight line from LA to Maine.

Niagara Falls would be on a slightly more southerly route, and is amazing, but will be crowded in the summer. Any route further to the south runs the risk of high heat AND humidity IMO.

Good luck!

Peter

[tjdonahoe]

take the northern route...

[VT Wanderer]

It's all about time. You can weave your way east thru National Parks in the Rockies taking a more northern route - Rock Mtn. National, Tetons, Yellowstone, Rushmore, Badlands, NY Finger Lakes, VT's Green Mtns., NH's White Mtns., Acadia National in Maine, as the weather cools toward the end of August/Sept., head south to the Great Smokies - going back west, Mesa Verde, and Grand, Bryce and Zion Canyons. On this trip you can do a "sampler". Afterwards you can decide on what places that you want to return to and spend more time.

[phann]

We did the CA to Maine trip last year. A few recommendations:
Letchworth State Park, NY
Watkins Glen SP, NY
Penn Wood Airstream Park, Limestone, PA
Brattleboro, VT (esp. Whetstone Station restaurant)
Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, Searsport Maine

[lindaebrewer]

Originally Posted by PKI

We made the trip last Fall to see the colors and spent a week in Yellowstone, a few days in Montana for a wedding, and then headed East. We hugged the Northern states on the way over.

Had never been to North Dakota, so checked that off the list. Went to Nancy's Notions in Beaver Lake Wisconsin. Skirted Chicago and shot down to Jackson Center to see the AS factory. Routed back up into New York to see Niagra Falls. Note - you can miss the toll roads if you try. We paid and dodged to get a mix. Not terrible in cost and some of the route is better than the alternatives.

Hold it there - Niagra Falls is a must do. We visited Goat Island. When we were there, a large parking lotwas available for RVs. It was not the standard car and bus lot, but rather one on the other end of the island. The parking fee was not being charged, so it was an inexpensive day in a very beautiful park. The tram was not running, but it was a wonderful walk up to the falls. We had a nice visit with a very helpful volunteer ranger. The area around the falls was under construction, but still impressive.

Moving on - we drove through the Adirondack Mountains of NE New York, We saw one of the best views when we popped out of a corner and saw a freshly mowed field of bright green grass with a bright red tractor pulling a trailer in the middle and the expansive Adirondack Mountains in the background.

Then we crossed over and came into Vermont through the islands on the West above Burlington. Take care - Burlington can get busy if a lot is going on when you are there. Took almost as much time to work our way South as if we were trying to get through LA. The difference being two lanes vs eight or ten.

We spent time seeing covered bridges (you can't tow over most, so plan carefully), the foliage drives including Smuggler's gap. Color was not great as the yer was not prime, but we liked the views.

Maine - Your destination is reported to be great. Brother was a week behind and that is where they went. The other side from Bar Harbor is suggested to get a bit of space. We hit the coast just about that area and found it to be a great get away. Kind of a step back in time. The Northern Maine roads were in poor shape. Lots of frost heave was evident. Maine blueberries are great. And somewhere in the state you can get lobster. We had ours in New Hampshire.

We stayed in Passport America parks on most of our overnights. That group worked well for us. It takes some planning, but is not terrible. We sat out a four day rain storm for $80. Spent everything we saved and then some at Keepsake quilting. It's all in the planning.

We moved South and visited The Mystic Seaport. We all have bucket destinations and that was one of mine. It was interesting, but less than I expected. If you are not a wooden boat lover it's a place that may not be to your liking.

We also made a pass through Lancaster County to see the Amish farms. Because they keep themselves to themselves, you have to accept a glimpse rather than immersion.

We had planned to see Williamsburg, but we hit it on a holiday and decided to skip it. We should have spent a couple of days resting and visited after the weekend. My brother spent some time in Gettysburg. We saw a bear traveling through West Virginia and really enjoyed the Cracker Barrels as long as they lasted.

We planned on seeing the National Quilt museum in Kentucky, but our timing was off. We'll do that the next time we get close.

The trip was about 6 weeks. We could have spent more time seeing and less time pushing to get to the next destination.

Good luck on your trip. Travel safe. Pat

GREAT details! DH & I are planning a similar trip this fall - once the schools are in session & summer vaca for families is over. 6 weeks sounds great.

[PKI]

Linda - we saw folks fly fishing around the covered bridges. Pat

[Len n Jeanne]

From LA northeast, you might do I-15 N to I-70 E, and then visit the national parks of Utah and the Colorado Rockies.