Should I stay on 95, or take 295? (the split near Portland) It works out about the same mileage wise. I'm curious about road condition, traffic, etc.

 

I make the trip several times a year from PA to Brownville, ME. Brownville is about an hour North of Bangor.

Typically I will get off of I-95 at Exit 52 and go over to I-295. It is a few miles shorter. I would say that I-295 is closer to the coast and can get a bit busier. There is currently no significant construction (at least not 2 weeks ago) on either route.

If you use a GPS it will probably want to take you to I-295 before Exit 52. You can do that but it does take you through Portland so you could hit traffic.

 

Thanks Dave. Noticed you're from SE PA. I'm from NE MD. I frequently ride in your area. Typically around Lancaster, Chadds Ford, nice area.

 

We are practically neighbors. I live outside Oxford.

Have a safe ride. I ride the bike up to our camp at least once a year. I take a longer route through Vermont and the White Mountains of NH. I make a two day trip out of it.

I usually try to avoid the interstates but in Maine the interstates are fine. The first 40 miles or so in southern Maine can back up, particularly during rush, hour, Friday evenings (vacationers heading into ME) and Sunday afternoon (vacationers heading out of ME). There is some beautiful country up there.

Watch for moose and eat some lobster!

Dave

 

There is construction on 295 currently, but nothing that should slow you down too much during the day.

http://www.maine.gov/mdot/i295portland/

 

Thanks Dave / Peculierboy. We're traveling on Saturday, comin' and goin'. We're renting a house, so it's pretty much a bee-line getting there, we'll be on hwy's the entire route. Looking at a 600 mile day.

Dave - I was right through Oxford yesterday on my way to the Gap Diner. (awesome itialian sausage omelette!) Took 30 E from there across the river then South. Great ride! You familiar with the Cycle Den in Columbia? It's gone, looks like a fire took it completely down. Hope he was able to save some of those bikes.

 

i grew up in maine...why take a highway when you can enjoy the RT 1 coastal ride?

 

 

Ah, the Gap Diner. I have been there many times. You have the like a place that has a parking area just for bikers.

I will have to try the Italian Sausage omelet.

Ride Safe,

 

I'm in Portland area and I prefer I-95 (the toll road) over I-295 any day. Much less traffic and it's only 5-10 minutes different in time over I-295. If you want to take route 1 then add a few hours travel time due to traffic this time of year...