DrewE, thanks for the helpful, informative reply! Nice to get some kind of perspective on what some of our options might be. This will be our first time traveling to NE, so any and all info is much appreciated.
Really like your suggestion to drive from Verona, Crown Point, Hague, and Montpelier, as a gateway into Acadia NP. How are road conditions on NY 365, 8, and 9N? We can deal with switchbacks and grades, but we're not particularly fond of miles of rough, bumpy roads. Read a few reports that VT 17 road conditions (via the Appalachian Gap) were poor?
Once we get into Montpelier (and continue heading east), how would you say the road conditions on VT/NH 2 and VT/NH 302 compare?
Thanks again for all the great info!