Downeast Maine is the least visited and most authentically Maine part of the state. The region stretches from Ellsworth east to the Canadian border — a landscape of rocky coastline, blueberry barrens, fishing villages, tidal rivers, and working waterfronts that feels largely unchanged from a generation ago. There are no theme park attractions here, no outlet malls, no manufactured experiences. What Downeast Maine offers instead is the real thing.
This itinerary covers the best of Downeast Maine in five days, moving east from Ellsworth to Eastport. It can be compressed into three days or expanded into a week depending on your pace.
Day 1: Ellsworth to Bar Harbor and Acadia
Most Downeast road trips begin in Ellsworth, the commercial hub of Hancock County and the gateway to both Acadia National Park and the Downeast coast. Stock up on supplies here — grocery stores, gear shops, and gas stations become increasingly sparse as you head east.
From Ellsworth, head south on Route 3 to Mount Desert Island and Bar Harbor. Spend the afternoon in Acadia National Park — drive the Park Loop Road, stop at Thunder Hole, and if you’re ambitious, catch sunrise on Cadillac Mountain the following morning. Bar Harbor offers the widest range of dining and lodging on this itinerary.
Day 2: Bar Harbor to Schoodic Peninsula and Winter Harbor
The Schoodic Peninsula is the mainland section of Acadia National Park — quieter, less crowded, and offering a dramatically different perspective on the park’s coastal landscape. The one-way loop road around Schoodic Point passes through some of the finest coastal scenery in Maine, with wave-battered granite headlands and open ocean views. Take the seasonal passenger ferry from Bar Harbor to Winter Harbor for a scenic crossing of Frenchman Bay.
Day 3: Route 1 East — Milbridge, Jonesport, and the Bold Coast
Milbridge — A small fishing town on the Narraguagus River worth a brief stop. The surrounding blueberry barrens are striking in late summer when they turn crimson after harvest.
Jonesport and Beals Island — Cross the bridge from Jonesport to Beals Island for a look at one of Maine’s most traditional lobstering communities. The harbor at Jonesport is packed with lobster boats.
Great Wass Island Preserve — The Nature Conservancy’s Great Wass Island Preserve protects one of the finest coastal natural areas in Maine — jack pine forest, coastal heath, and dramatic shoreline. The 5-mile loop trail is one of the best coastal hikes in the state.
Cutler — The departure point for puffin watching tours to Machias Seal Island. Bold Coast Charter Company operates the tours from Cutler Harbor. Spend the night in Machias.
Day 4: Machias, Cobscook Bay, and Lubec
Machias — The county seat of Washington County, Machias sits on the Machias River just upstream from Machias Bay. The Burnham Tavern, where the first naval battle of the American Revolution was planned in 1775, is the oldest surviving building in Maine east of the Penobscot River and is open for tours.
Cobscook Bay State Park — One of Maine’s finest and least visited state parks. The park’s dramatic tidal range transforms the landscape completely between high and low tide. Hiking trails access multiple coves and headlands with views across the bay.
Lubec — The easternmost town in the United States. Cross the FDR International Bridge into Campobello Island for a visit to Roosevelt Campobello International Park — a passport is required. West Quoddy Head State Park marks the easternmost point of land in the United States, marked by the iconic red-and-white striped West Quoddy Head Lighthouse.
Day 5: Eastport and the Return
End your Downeast road trip in Eastport — the easternmost city in the United States. See our complete guide to Things to Do in Eastport Maine for a full rundown. Key highlights: Walk Water Street, visit Raye’s Mustard Mill, watch the 18-foot tides, and scan the waterfront for bald eagles and seals.
For the return, Route 9 west from Calais (the Airline Road) is the most direct route back to Bangor — a long straight shot through Washington County’s blueberry barrens and boreal forest.
Practical Notes
- Gas: Fill up whenever you see a station east of Ellsworth — they become sparse and expensive heading into Washington County
- Cell service: Expect limited or no service through much of Washington County — download offline maps before leaving Ellsworth
- Lodging: Book ahead — Washington County has limited options and the best properties fill up
- Timing: Late June through September is the best window. Puffin tours run June through August
- Blueberries: If traveling in August, roadside stands sell fresh wild blueberries — don’t miss them
Plan Your Trip
Ready to explore Downeast Maine? Browse lodging in Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Machias, and Eastport to plan your stops. For more on specific Downeast destinations, see our Eastport guide and our Downeast Maine regional guide.
MaineGuide.com has been helping visitors plan their Maine trips since 1995.
📌 Visiting Campobello? Read our complete Campobello Island Day Trip guide for everything you need to know before crossing the border.
📌 Hiker? Read our complete Bold Coast Maine Hiking Guide for the dramatic cliff-top trails between Cutler and Lubec.
📌 Lubec is a key stop on the Downeast route. Read our complete guide to Things to Do in Lubec Maine — West Quoddy Head and Campobello Island.
📌 Puffin watching on your Downeast itinerary? Read our complete Puffin Watching at Machias Seal Island guide — one of the finest wildlife experiences in the northeastern US.
📌 August in Downeast Maine? Read our complete Maine Wild Blueberry Picking guide — the Washington County barrens are the blueberry capital of the world.