You don’t have to go through the tunnel to head north, take 1A to 1 to 95. Stop lights, traffic, yes, but you don’t get trapped in the tunnel and no toll. You’ll want the EZPass for NH and Maine.
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The Sumner Tunnel from Logan is going to be closed weekends for an extended period. Google that to make sure it won’t cause issues for you.
Also, if you are flying Southwest check flights into Manchester NH. There may be less traffic flying into there than Logan. I have no idea what it would be like driving from Manchester to Bangor distance wise, but should be less traffic.
Manchester is an excellent idea! And southwest flies there.
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I checked Manchester and Providence. Even Hartford as Southwest flies there non stop . It my wife doesn’t like to fly and wants non stops. When we go to Tucson, for example, we fly to Phoenix.
I do understand BOS is crowded and hoping we get lucky as it will be a Saturday at 330 etc when we get to the rental car…45 mins or so after we land.
MNH Is closer to Portkk look and by drive. But my wife’s theory is 2.5 hrs to BOS is better than 6 hrs plus that it is on well timed etc one stops.
Also, my wife is very covid concerned so the less time in the airport/airplane is terrible.
I do appreciate the guidance though.
Sounds like Boston then makes the most sense since you want/need a nonstop. Southwest usually allows changes. Could you get an earlier flight to maximize your time in Maine?
Maine is my favorite state. I’m a native with roots going back to the 1780s.
Don’t waste your time south of Portland-- you could just stay in New Hampshire. Acadia and Mt Desert Island are both gorgeous but inland (Moosehead,etc) are also amazing.
If you are into hiking-- heading north to the new Woods and Waters National Monument or Baxter State Park are worth the trip.
Helen’s Diner in Machias has the best pie in the world. Moody’s Diner is worth the trip.
I love visiting Ft. Knox in Belfast. The new Penobscot River observatory seems cool but I’ve never been
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We did make a short stop at and tour of the the Penobscot Observatory and felt the stop was well worth it.
We enjoyed having a carriage ride, the last one of the season. We had popovers at the lodge in the park. We had a nice visit to Maine and got there in the fall, drive along the coast some, and saw some foliage changes. We did tour some lighthouses and Acadia National Park. We went to Bar Harbor, as well as Freeport to visit LLBean. We were fortunate to miss most of the crowds.
And I got to meet you in Portland!
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We went to Kennebunk Port, then Rockland, then Bar Harbor, just drove up the coast. I enjoyed visiting the Farnsworth Art Museum. We enjoyed the boat ride to Vinalhaven, the place was not crowded. The BBQ ribs near the entrance of Bar Harbor were delicious.
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We enjoyed the Farnsworth a couple of weeks ago. Well worth a visit.
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The nearly mile long breakwater to the lighthouse in Rockland is a great walk!
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(Reading through this thread is making me want to visit Maine!) I’ve bookmarked it for future plans. 
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Yes, we loved meeting up with you @MaineLonghorn ! The diner that looked like a railway car was fun too!
If folks are looking to avoid Logan ( and who isn’t), you might be able to catch a flight to Manchester. Will likely take you to Maine on less travelled roads. Some fares in and out of there are quite reasonable. And the car rentals might also be less.
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That will be crazy driving. Both out of the airport with people doing errands and traffic going far North. Depending on where you are going, I might even go West and then North. I’d avoid 93 and 95 as they will be parking lots for much of the way ( except parts of NH and ME). My husband often flies in/ out of Logan on Saturday/Sunday afternoons. I hate the 12-5:30 block. It’s insane on weekends.
That’s a long drive to Maine. Why not just have lunch and wait until 6PM and then drive? There will be little to no traffic and you might even get there at the same time. You can look on google maps for tracking by day.
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I agree with that advice. We plan very strategically when we have to go to Boston. The few times we didn’t have flexibility were nightmares. Once I was stuck on the highway in Boston for over two hours with my three little kids. Thank goodness I had an empty bottle for one of them to pee in!!
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I concur that driving in and out of Logan is no picnic. (My kid and friends take the bus from Portland to avoid driving and parking in Boston.
There is bus service directly from Logan to Portland if that appeals to you, and you could pick up your car there. Depending on when youleave, stayingthe last night in Bostoncould be an option. )
I also strongly advise avoiding airline connections if possible. Summer thunderstorms often disrupt flights, and while it’s never pleasant, it’s especially stressful if a connection is involved.
They are more expensive here to fly to Manchester.
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Appreciate all the advice.
While I’m not opposed to Manchester or Portland, given where rates are and the 3-4 hour time savings, we’ll stick with BOS. However, the bus idea sounds intriguing - will look into it. Or perhaps there’s rail.
What I have done is - at all your advice - dumped Bangor - and go to Portland the first night. I booked the AC Waterfront/Downtown - $523 or…better yet - still too much at 40K points a night. However, I have my Marriott anniversary gift of a free night that has to be used by December and it’s good for up to 40K points.
So - got what appears to be a great hotel and we can then spend a solid day in Portland…do we need two -or a Sat night and Sunday would be enough and then could head North on Sunday after dinner to maybe Augusta or Bangor (just to sleep enroute to Acadia) or a cute little town for exploring Monday?
No need to answer - the answer is in one of your very many helpful messages up above.
Thanks for all the tips - myself and future Maine goers are going to be loaded with info!!
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