Fall color: the Kancamagus to Acadia
Waterfalls in the White Mountains, then sunrise on the Maine coast.
- Distance
- approx. 541 km (336 mi)
- Driving
- 6 h 00 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 6
- States
- MA, NH, ME
- Best time to go
- June and August–September
- Tolls and vignettes
- ≈ $2
- Updated
- September 22, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 541 km (336 mi) with 6 stops, from Boston to Blackwoods Campground. About 6 h 00 min of driving in total. Best time to go: June and August–September. Tolls and vignettes for a car: about $2 (NH $1, ME $1).
More road trips in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine · More road trips from Boston
Photos along the route
Route description
From Boston, head north on I-93 into New Hampshire and through Franconia Notch to Lincoln, the western end of the 34-mile Kancamagus Highway (NH-112). The “Kanc” climbs over Kancamagus Pass through the White Mountain National Forest, and Sabbaday Falls is a short walk from its roadside parking area to a waterfall in a narrow gorge. There are no services along the highway, so fuel up in Lincoln, and note that a recreation pass is needed to park at the trailheads.
The Kancamagus ends near Conway, a few miles south of North Conway, a busy mountain town with views of Mount Washington. From there, cross into Maine and work east toward the coast, joining US-1 through small harbor towns on the way to Mount Desert Island and Bar Harbor.
Acadia National Park surrounds Bar Harbor. Cadillac Mountain is the tallest peak on the North Atlantic coast and often among the first places in the US to see sunrise, but vehicle reservations are required for the summit road in season. Blackwoods Campground lies in the woods a short walk from the Ocean Path and the Cadillac Mountain trailheads.
Peak foliage usually reaches the White Mountains from late September to mid-October and the coast a little later, and weekends are very busy. Book campgrounds and inns well ahead for foliage season, and expect cold nights in the mountains.
Which stops are on Fall color?
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Boston
MA - 2221 km
Sabbaday Falls – Kancamagus Highway
NatureConway, NHA short walk to a waterfall in a gorge on the 34-mile "Kanc". It is one of the best fall-color drives in New England.
- 326 km
North Conway
NH - 4283 km
Bar Harbor
ME - 55 km
Cadillac Mountain
ViewsBar Harbor, METhe tallest peak on the North Atlantic coast, and often among the first places in the US to see sunrise. Vehicle reservations are required in season.
- 66 km
Blackwoods Campground
CampingBar Harbor, MEWooded Acadia sites a short walk from the Ocean Path and Cadillac Mountain trailheads.
How do you drive Fall color in 4 days?
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Boston → Sabbaday Falls – Kancamagus Highway · 137 mi · 2 h 27 minOvernight nearby, for example: Big Rock Campground (9 mi); Country Bumpkins Campground (15 mi).
- Day 2: Sabbaday Falls – Kancamagus Highway → North Conway · 16 mi · 0 h 18 minOvernight nearby, for example: Swan's Falls Campground & Saco River Access Facility (8 mi); Canal Bridge Campground (9 mi).
- Day 3: North Conway → Bar Harbor · 176 mi · 3 h 09 minOvernight nearby, for example: Hadley's Point Campground (7 mi); Schoodic Woods Campground (7 mi).
- Day 4: Bar Harbor → Blackwoods Campground · 7 mi · 0 h 07 minOn the way: Cadillac Mountain.Overnight at the campsite itself.
When is the best time for Fall color?
The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. Cold, short days in December–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
More routes for the best months
Practical guides for this route
Photo by Malivez on UnsplashDriving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel
Photo by Aleksandr Dalakian on UnsplashFuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers
Photo by Tracy Zhang on UnsplashUS national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms
Plan this route for your vehicle
Scout adapts this route to your vehicle, your days and your budget.
FAQs
How long is Fall color: the Kancamagus to Acadia?
4-day road trip of about 541 km (336 mi) with 6 stops, from Boston to Blackwoods Campground. About 6 h 00 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Fall color: the Kancamagus to Acadia?
We suggest 4 days: about 6 h 00 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Fall color: the Kancamagus to Acadia start and end?
It starts in Boston and ends in Blackwoods Campground.
Which states does Fall color: the Kancamagus to Acadia pass through?
Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
Where can you camp along Fall color: the Kancamagus to Acadia?
OpenStreetMap lists 76 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Hadley's Point Campground, Schoodic Woods Campground and Bar Harbor / Oceanside KOA Holiday.
How much are the tolls on Fall color?
Tolls and vignettes for a car: about $2 (NH $1, ME $1). Estimate with typical rates; motorhomes pay more, and vehicles over 3.5 t often pay by distance.
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