Delman
Ocean View, Delaware
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Leaving Sunday for St John New Brunswick....will be towing a 37' 5er and would like to know the best roads to take to the Canadian border.
I would rather drive extra miles on good roads.
Thanks for your advice!
2009 McKenzie Medallion Estate
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Once upon a time I was a little kid.....now I just think like a little kid!
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Crowe
Billerica, MA USA
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Two choices: Hop on Rt. 1 in Ellsworth and take the "coastal" route (although you don't see much of the coast). It's slower and at last check the road wasn't in the best of shape. Or, back track to Bangor, pick up Rt. 9, and cross at Calais into St. Stephen. Better, faster road. Some hills but there are climbing lanes. Rt. 1 is two lanes only.
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RV-less for now but our spirits are still on the open road.
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CloudDriver
New Jersey Shore
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We took route 1 from Ellsworth to Calais back in 2008 and it was in bad shape with no shoulders east of Machais. We came back on route 9 and it was much better. From Ellsworth go up route 1A to pick up route 46 to get to route 9. No need to go all the way to Bangor.
2003 Winnebago Minnie 24F - Ford E-450
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Clarryhill
Midcoast Maine
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If I were heading for St. John hauling the 5'er, I would definately hop up to Bangor/Brewer and pick up rt 9. Rt 1 is a great road if you're in a car and sightseeing, but with a 5'er in tow, it's miserable. Been there and done that.
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Delman
Ocean View, Delaware
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Well folks, I screwed up by saying I was in Bar Harbor.....figured everyone knew where that was. Actually, I'm in Harrington Maine about 60 miles up route 1 from Bar Harbor.
I'll have to see how difficult it is to get to Route 9 from here.
I may need to run route 1 all the way to Calais or 1 to 191 at East Machias and up.
Sorry for the confusion.
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mainetom
Maine, near Augusta
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I'd stay on Rt. 1 all the way to Calais. I traveled it last week from Ellsworth to the turnoff for Eastport and found it much improved over what it was three years ago when I last was on it. At that time Rt. 9 would have been a much better choice.
There is some good scenery and points of interest along that stretch of Rt. 1, and some fantastic ones if you make little side trips off of it.
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Crowe
Billerica, MA USA
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Mapquest suggests 191 to 1 to 9. Not familiar with 191. Forgot about the shortcut suggested by CloudDriver. Have come down that way from NB but when we are leaving Bar Harbor we are usually headed south to come home.
The Calais/St. Stephen border crossing is usually fairly fast, even when it's busy. If you hit it mid-week you'll be better off. One piece of advice-make sure you don't have any restricted food items in the camper. Both sides are very professional, friendly and courteous but they do everything by the book.
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Delman
Ocean View, Delaware
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Thanks everyone.....I'll take route 1 to Calais and cross there.....is there a duty free shop there?
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Crowe
Billerica, MA USA
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Yes, there's a duty free shop there, but before you go nuts find out how much of what you can take over the border duty-free. The amounts are pretty liberal and the duty-free shops can be expensive tourist traps.
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