Driving route from DC to Nova Scotia

We did something similar a few years ago, though in our case we flew into Boston and worked our way north from there. I made a mental note at the time that if we ever did it again we'd fly or take the train up to Portsmouth and start our driving adventure from that point. Most of the very pretty scenery that we came to see, including the exquisite Acadia NP, was north along the coast of Maine anyway and it would have saved us loads of aggravation and too many tolls to count between Boston and the border of Maine.
Route 1 north of Portsmouth was terrific - the drive south of there not so much.

What ever you do, avoid I-95 through Connecticut. It is a zoo. If you are going that way, the Merritt Parkway parallels I-95 and is a much nicer drive.

I used to drive regularly between DC and the Maine coast. I'd take 95 to the NJ Turnpike, then Garden State Parkway, then 87 over the Tappan Zee Bridge, north on 684 to 84 across Connecticut, then 90 (Mass Pike) to 290 and 495 around Boston area up to 95. None of that is very scenic but it seemed like the fastest way to get around the big cities. Nobody was slowing down to look at leaves, that's for sure.

After Portland (Brunswick really) you can take US 1 along the coast all the way to New Brunswick, mostly very scenic and slow. Or stay on 95 to Houlton and into NB and NS from there. I haven't done that 95 route, I'm sure it's faster but all inland. A small time-saver could be to stay on 95 to Augusta, then take state route 3 east through inland countryside to Belfast where you join US 1. You miss Rockland and Camden and other pretty coastal towns, but you still have plenty of slow coastal driving after that.

Assuming that you have limited time for your road trip, you might consider how much of that time you want to spend on the Maine coast vs. Nova Scotia itself. I'd try to get up there as quickly as possible to enjoy that scenery. Maine will still be there in the future, perhaps for a shorter trip.

A friend and I drove up from DC to Vermont one year over the July 4th weekend. On the way up, we did the 95 corridor and it was a nightmare (stop and go the whole way until we were well past the NYC area). On the way back, we went further west and took a route that took us through Scranton and down route 81. It was longer mileage wise, but there was way less traffic, the drive was much more pleasant, and we avoided the Baltimore /Phila / and NY corridors. You might look to see if routing DC to Scranton to Nova Scotia works for you.

I agree with Dick. I too have driven the entire route from DC to Maine many times over the years (not direct, but more miles on those highways than should be allowed for noncommercial vehicles). The only thing that I might change is that I really enjoy the Taconic Parkway, which cuts out the I-84 in Connecticut portion of the route. I find the ride through Waterbury, Ct. to be difficult for some reason. Narrow and lots of traffic. The Taconic basically goes due North to I-90 extension in NY, which I find relaxing. I agree with taking the route through Worster and skipping Boston traffic all together.

If you are not in any hurry to get there or back, you could work your way up to Rt 7/9 from Troy NY to Brattleboro VT. Then take Rt 119 across NH. All of that will take you through beautiful small towns while making sure you enjoy the scenery. It's a gorgeous ride, but not a quick one.

It would take longer, but to miss some of the east coast traffic and tolls along the I-95 corridor you could head up to Baltimore then take I-83 to Harrisburg. From there you start heading northeast towards Scranton, then Albany. From there you could take state roads through the green and white mountains towards Concord NH on your way to Nova Scotia.

These are all such good suggestions! Thank you for responding.

If you decide to drive through Harrisburg, depending on where you start from, it might be nicer to drive I-270 to Frederick and then take US 15 to Harrisburg. It’s pretty north of Frederick and there are fewer trucks than on I-83.

Having said that, we usually take the “just get there approach” and go up the NJ Turnpike. I do like going up to I-84 after crossing the Tappan Zee.

Once you get to Portland, you can choose the slow coastal route or continue up the interstate. New Brunswick is pretty too and there is quite a bit to see. There is a new road that connects St. Martins to Alma. The coastal part is beautiful and slow. The inland part is pretty and faster. There is also the main highway and much faster. It all depends on how much time you have and where you want to spend it.

Everyone is in agreement to avoid 95. It is difficult at best in most areas. We also like the 83 and 81 route up thru Pa and into NY. It is funny we all still call it the Tappan Zee bridge because I think they named it after one of the Cuomo politicians. Good luck and enjoy the frip.

Hello,
Having lived in all the East Coast USA and PEI Canada, agree with other Comments.
Not sure what is achieved driving between DC and Boston. You won’t see much scenery beyond heavy traffic.
Recommend starting in either Boston (if want to see lovely Portsmouth NH) or even better, start at Portland Maine.

The drive to NS from Portland is lengthy by itself but interesting.

Recommend taking parts (not all) US Route 1 along coast (to see Ogunquit, state parks) then hop back onto 95 to Bangor. Bangor to Brewer Route 9 up to Calais at Canadian border. Then at border pick up Canadian highway east. Bangor to NS is 8 + hour drive. If you like ferry then great, but you will miss seeing some pretty coastal scenery in NB.

NS is cold by mid October. The autumn leaves change before USA in that part of Canada. Keep in mind, if you want to see autumn in eastern Canada check out forecasts for mid to end of September. Even here in northern VT USA leaves can be full colored fall by October. Depends on weather. This being a dry summer might be early this year(?).

I have lived in the Boston/NH/Maine area almost all my (long) life.

Just as an FYI: Sort of a dreadful drive from DC to Boston; actually, having done it several times, I can't remember a single pleasant thing about it. Interstate driving at its very worst. And on the I-95 Corridor, it is always rush hour.

Driving from DC to Nova Scotia 1090 mi, 19 hours. Driving Boston to Nova Scotia 660 miles, 10 hours. Drive Boston to Bar Harbor Ferry to NS 281 miles of driving, 3 hours on ferry

There are two tolls on the highway between Logan airport and Portsmouth NH. The travel time from to airport in Boston to Portsmouth is about 75 minutes and the total toll cost is about $3.00.

The ferry from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth NS is about 3 hours and would cost, car and 2 passengers RT about $800.
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Good luck.

I live in DC and am from Maine and drive there once or twice a year to visit family in the Bangor area. We avoid 95 until we get to New Hampshire. We leave DC and go 270 to 15 to 287 to 15 (Merritt) to 91 to 84 to 495 to 95. Leave 95 at 295 in Portland and save 10 miles and some time. 95 resumes in Gardner. 295 goes by Freeport if you need the LL Bean experience.

If you would like the scenic route from Maine to Nova Scotia, travel on Route 9 from Bangor, known locally as the Airline, to the Calais/St. Stephen border crossing. If you want a real Maine woods rural driving experience, take 95 to Route 6 in Topsfield and cross the border in Vanceboro. No lines but double check to make sure the crossing is still open since the pandemic.

That is one long drive from down in DC. Moreover, if you really do want to drive for the leaf-peeping season, I recommend flying either to Boston or Manchester, NH and then rent a car. You’re not going to see leaves changing color in September in the mid Atlantic or southern New England. What you will see is traffic.