Searsport To Brunswick: Maine Coastal Drive

Searsport, Maine, is a charming town with a rich maritime history, located 86 miles or 138.40 kilometres from Brunswick, Maine. The drive from Brunswick to Searsport via the ME 3 route takes approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes. Along the way, you can enjoy scenic coastal views and explore historic towns such as Wiscasset, Camden, and Bath. The halfway point between the two towns is South China, ME, which is approximately 42.95 miles away from both locations.

Fastest route: Augusta, then Rte. 3 to Belfast

If you're looking for the fastest route from Brunswick to Searsport in Maine, you'll want to head to Augusta first and then take Route 3 to Belfast. This route will save you from getting stuck in traffic in Camden, which can be a real issue at certain times of the year.

From Augusta, you'll drive through Palermo, with its many ponds and streams, and on to Liberty, where you can stop for homemade ice cream at Johns' if you're travelling in the warmer months. This stretch of Route 3 takes you through gently rolling hills and woodlands, with some farmland, and offers a nice alternative to the highway.

You could also take a slight detour to Lake St. George State Park, about 15 miles west of Belfast, for a scenic break by the water.

Once you reach Belfast, you're not far from Searsport and the gorgeous ocean views that stretch from there to Bar Harbor. This part of the drive is very scenic, with the ocean always in sight.

Overall, this route offers a good balance between speed and scenery, allowing you to enjoy some of the beauty of Maine without adding too much time to your trip.

Scenic route: Rt 1, north of Belfast

To get from Portland to Searsport in Maine, it's a 108-mile drive that takes around 2 hours. However, if you're looking for a scenic route, you can take Route 1 (Rt 1) north of Belfast. This route offers beautiful coastal scenery and lets you explore pretty coastal towns like Camden, Wiscasset, Bath, and Damariscotta.

Here's a suggested itinerary for a road trip from Portland to Searsport via Rt 1:

• Start in Portland, Maine.
• Drive for about 26 minutes to Brunswick, Maine, and spend around an hour there.
• Continue for 37 minutes to Manchester, Maine, and stay for about an hour.
• Drive for another 29 minutes to Waterville and spend an hour there.
• Head to Shepherd's Pie, which is a 54-minute drive from Waterville, and stay for an hour.
• Finally, drive for about 32 minutes to reach Searsport.

This route will take you about 3 hours on the road, excluding stops, and it's definitely worth considering if you want to enjoy the scenery and explore charming towns along the way.

Route 1: Wiscasset, Camden, and other coastal towns

Route 1 is one of the most scenic drives in Maine, dotted with tiny picturesque towns along the way. Driving from Brunswick, you can take Route 1 all the way to Searsport. Here are some of the highlights along the way:

Wiscasset

Dubbed 'the prettiest village in Maine', Wiscasset is known for its historic sites and architectural landmarks. It's also a foodie destination, with Red's Eats serving up what many claim to be the best lobster roll in Maine. Be prepared for long lines in the summer!

Boothbay Harbor

This charming seaside village is an ideal place to unwind and connect with nature. The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens offer nearly 300 acres of coastal waterfront, with 17 cultured gardens showcasing plants native to Maine. For something spookier, take a Red Cloak Haunted History Tour to hear hair-raising stories and see the area's most haunted sites.

Camden

Camden is a classic New England harbour town, full of sailboats, seaside inns, and vintage brick houses. It's also a festival hub, with events like the US National Toboggan Championships, the Summer Harbor Arts & Books Fair, and the Windjammer Festival. For accommodation, check out 16 Bay View, a luxury boutique hotel with exquisite comfort and historic charm.

Lincolnville

Just a short distance from Camden Hills State Park, Lincolnville is a food and wine paradise. Visit Cellardoor Winery, which produces over 20 distinct Maine-made wines, or book a cooking class at Salt Water Farm to learn the art of seasonal cooking with fresh local produce.

Belfast

Check out the Belfast Harbor Walk, a scenic mile-long paveway along the shore. You can also walk onto the Armistice Bridge footbridge to observe loons, gulls, ducks, ospreys, eagles, and other shorebirds feeding in the mud.

Rt 3: China Lake region

The China Lake region is a pretty area to drive through on the way to Searsport, Maine. It is a direct route, but you will miss some of the coastal scenery and the town of Camden. The route takes you through Augusta, and it is the fastest way to get to Searsport from Portland.

China Lake itself is a dry lake, named after Chinese prospectors who harvested borax from the lake bed. The area is now a large military installation, the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, which supports the research, testing, and evaluation programs of the U.S. Navy. It is the Navy's largest single landholding, representing 85% of its land for weapons and armaments research, and occupies land in three counties: Kern, San Bernardino, and Inyo. The closest towns are Ridgecrest and Inyokern.

The installation covers more than 1,100,000 acres, with a $3 billion infrastructure consisting of buildings, facilities, paved and unpaved roads, and restricted and controlled airspace. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including feral horses, burros, bighorn sheep, and endangered animals such as the desert tortoise.

The area has a rich history, with thousands of archaeological sites marking the presence of the Native American Coso People, who traded with other tribes as far as San Luis Obispo County. European miners and settlers also left their mark, with cabins and mining structures throughout the station. The Coso Rock Art District, within the installation, contains over 50,000 documented petroglyphs—the highest concentration in the Northern Hemisphere.

Rt 1: Freeport, Brunswick, then Rte 1 to Searsport

If you're looking to take a scenic route from Freeport to Searsport via Brunswick, then this is the route for you! This drive will take you through picturesque coastal towns and offer plenty of opportunities for stops along the way.

Starting in Freeport, you'll want to head north on 295 towards Brunswick. This leg of the journey will take you through the downtown area, which can be quite congested, but it's only about a mile of slow-moving traffic. Once you reach Brunswick, you'll continue north on 201 until you reach Route 1.

From here, you'll follow the coast all the way up to Searsport. Along the way, you'll pass through charming coastal towns like Wiscasset, Bath, and Camden. Wiscasset, in particular, is known for its delicious seafood offerings, so it might be worth a stop if you're looking for a bite to eat.

As you continue north on Route 1, you'll be treated to stunning coastal scenery. This route will take you longer than the interstate, but it's definitely the more picturesque option. You'll pass through Belfast before reaching your final destination of Searsport.

If you're looking for a more detailed itinerary, consider adding some stops along the way. For example, you could stop in Brunswick for an hour to stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat. Or, if you're interested in seeing some pretty marshlands and farmlands, you could take a slight detour to Camden.

Overall, this drive will offer you a wealth of beautiful sights and experiences. So, if you're not in a rush and want to enjoy the journey, Rt 1: Freeport, Brunswick, then Rte 1 to Searsport is a great option!

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