Ohio to Bar Harbor Maine via Vermont advice

My suggestion: I-90 to the Verona, NY exit, then NY 365 E to NY 8 E to NY 9 N north to the Crown Point bridge to VT 17. From there, VT 22A N to US 7 N to I-189 and I-89 S to Montpelier and US-2 from there. This takes maybe two hours longer than following I-90, skirting around Boston, and then taking I-95, but it saves on tolls and IMHO is a much prettier and more enjoyable drive. Depending on the time of day you'd go near Boston, it may be less of a difference in time.

The easternmost part of NY 8 is fairly steep and curvy, but well within what an RV in proper working order and driven sanely can handle. However, if you are not comfortable with that sort of driving, it may not be the best option.

Another way to go, take 90 to Albany, NY, go north on 87 to Alt. route 7 through Troy, NY to Bennington, VT. Then take 9 east to Brattleboro, VT, and continue east on 9 to route 101 in NH, follow 101 to Manchester, NH and continue east on 101 to 95 north to Bangor, ME. Then take Alt.1 to Ellsworth, ME, then 3 to Bar Harbor/Acadia. My most favorite place on earth. Have fun.

travel4family wrote:
[cut]
so yes, this is purely to check VT off the list :) by getting coffee or a snack and then getting back on the road.
[cut]

I grew up in South Portland, ME and lived 17 years in Manchester, NH before coming to WA.

Assuming the above is all that you want to do in VT...

I-90 E to Chicopee, Mass to I-91 N
I-91 N to Vermont
5.5 miles into VT is the Guilford Welcome Center
Do the VT thing - snack, stretch legs, restroom break
continue I-91 N to exit 1, take exit 1
cross under the interstate, take on-ramp to I-91 S
I-91 S to Chicopee, Mass to I-90 E
I-90 E to I-495 N
I-495 N to I-95 N (just south of NH state line)

I-95 N to Maine (I-95 in NH is only 15 miles long)

Once in Maine you can decide whether to take the Maine Turnpike or the coastal route.

If time is of the essence, stay on the big roads in New England.

------------------
Something to consider... In Sturbridge, Mass is Old Sturbridge Village. It is like stepping back in time and walking through history. My parents took the family there several times in my youth.

You'd literally be driving right past it. They have RV parking (no overnight parking though).

Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. You are invited into more than 40 original buildings, including homes, meetinghouses, a district school, country store, bank, working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops - all situated on more than 200 scenic acres. Visitors can meet heritage breed farm animals and interact with authentically costumed staff.

travel4family wrote:
Planning to take i90 across headed to Acadia but want to take a swing through the bottom of Vermont (this may be the only shot the kids have of getting through Vermont, so yes, this is purely to check VT off the list :) by getting coffee or a snack and then getting back on the road. Should we go from Albany NY across Rt 7/9 to Brattleboro then drop back down to the interstate? Route 9 looks doable across both states the rest of the way, but is two lane and other posts note it as slow going. While we want to run through VT, we want to make the best time to Acadia from there that we can since we do have reservations. Driving on Thursday and Friday if that is a factor.

Advice appreciated.
Travel4Family

If you're going to do 7/9 to Brattleboro I would suggest staying on 7 up to Manchester then running 11 to 30 through Winhall, Bondville, Jamaica and on to Brattleboro. Its the scenic route and longer distance for sure, but you may want to build in some time and maybe an overnight stop. Every small town you drive through looks like a Christmas card picture. Do a google search for Winhall Brook Recreation area in south Londonderry. Its an awesome ACOE facility. No full hookups but some of the South loop sites have water/elec. And if you are in the area Grandma Millers Pies in South Londonderry is a must stop.

GeoBoy wrote:
Another way to go, take 90 to Albany, NY, go north on 87 to Alt. route 7 through Troy, NY to Bennington, VT. Then take 9 east to Brattleboro, VT, and continue east on 9 to route 101 in NH, follow 101 to Manchester, NH and continue east on 101 to 95 north to Bangor, ME. Then take Alt.1 to Ellsworth, ME, then 3 to Bar Harbor/Acadia. My most favorite place on earth. Have fun.

We've done this route many times in a 45' with a toad and it's fine. It would have been my suggested route also.

Most important must try creeme ice cream
.

I've drug a 53' semi trailer across NY 7 to Vt 9 many a time with no issues. Just take your time and know that there will be a few hills (nothing Major) on this route.

At least afford a day each for VT and NH, or plan another adventure East. To just drive thru to say you've "done" VT really isn't worth it - save the wasted drive time to have some more quality time in Maine. ST