Best route from Harrisburg, Pa to Bar Harbor

Our preferred route is 81 to 78, then up 287/87, over the Tappan Zee Bridge, up 684 to 84, to I90 (Mass Pike) to 495 to 95. You can cut off a corner by taking I290 through Worcester, but it's a bit narrow through the city and can be very heavy with traffic. You circumvent NYC but have to deal with some of the major cities in CT. We just drove back from Gettysburg in May via that route and hit no real traffic in any of those cities. It's all the luck of the draw There are multiple routes from that point, either from Augusta or Bangor. We usually go from Bangor as it's quicker but if you want to mosey you can go Rt. 3 from Augusta. Some people may suggest continuing up 87 to the Pike or going up 691/91 in CT-it's just a matter of personal preference. Just keep in mind you cannot go on the parkways in CT. You can also drive up 95 along the east cost but that route generally stinks even on a good day.