Reaching Portland Head Lighthouse

I am traveling to Bar Harbor,Maine after a stopover in Saco,ME. Along the way I want to stop for a short visit to Portland Head Lighthouse. What is the best/fastest way to reach it from the maine turnpike or I-295 coming from the south and to return to the Maine Turnpike or I-295. Which is faster the Maine Turnpike or I-295? I see I-295 connects farther into Maine. I am taking I-95 up to Bangor and then going to Bar Harbor instead of Route 1.

Thanks-

Reaching Portland Head Lighthouse

Get off of I-95 and onto I-295 as you approach Portland. Take Exit 4 which will be just before a bridge over the Fore River. Get on Highway 1 South to Broadway Avenue. Take that road to Cottage Road which will be a right turn shortly after Broadway crosses Highway 77. After a bit on Cottage Road, you will see signs for the Portland Head Light.

Coming back to the highway, I would go right through the Old Port area of Portland. Actually, if it were me, I%26#39;d stop for lunch at Duckfat or one of the many coffee shops.

You could, of course, just backtrack and get back on I-295. But you could also take Cottage Road to Highway 77, go north on Highway 77, which will quickly cross the Fore River. On the other end of the bridge you will have the opportunity to take a right onto Commercial Street. After about ten blocks on Commericial you%26#39;ll come to Franklin Street, on your left. On your right will be the harbor. This area is known as the Old Port. After a stop in the Old Port, or not, take Franklin Street to I-295 North. You will soon come to I-95 north and you will be about three hours from Bar Harbor.

Reaching Portland Head Lighthouse

Oops, wait a minute. I was looking at an old Maine Gazetteer. That section of interstate between Portland and Augusta is now called I-295 and the section that goes over to Auburn/Lewiston is called I-95. You don%26#39;t want to go to Auburn/Lewiston. Just stay on I-295 after Portland until just before Augusta when it will join I-95.

Thanks- It is only a three and a half hour drive to bar harbor so I should easily be able to fit this in. This is what the website for portland head light say%26#39;s as far as directions:

From 295 in Portland take Route 77 south to South Portland. Go left on Broadway, then right on Cottage Road. Cottage Road becomes Shore Road at the Cape Elizabeth town line.

Approaching from the south, take Route 1 north to Oak Hill in Scarborough. Go right on Route 207, then left on Route 77 north to Cape Elizabeth. Turn right at the blinker on to Shore Road. Portland Head Light is located in Fort Williams Park, 1000 Shore Road. Tel (207) 799-2661

Is that way better as far as traffic or is taking Broadway better? The second part mentions approaching from the north or in my case returning to the interstate to go through Portland. I believe that is what you said? This will be in a morning on a weekday that I will be going here. So, traffic might be an issue. What do you suggest?

Thanks again-

Traffic won%26#39;t be an issue.

';Approaching from the south, take Route 1 north to Oak Hill in Scarborough. Go right on Route 207, then left on Route 77 north to Cape Elizabeth. Turn right at the blinker on to Shore Road. Portland Head Light is located in Fort Williams Park, 1000 Shore Road.';

Is this a much longer/slower way? I am just worried about going through Portland or south Portland there being a lot of stoplights. Portland dosen%26#39;t have rush hour?

Thanks-

P.S. Can you get close to the lighthouse if the museum isn%26#39;t open?

every time i go in the afternoon the museum is never open but you can get right next to the lighthouse - two lites park is close to there also

google smugmug then search for portland maine to see sum good pics

Take route1 north into South Portland. Bear right at light onto Broadway (after passing Dairy Queen on left). Bearing left at second light will keep you on Broadway. At 4th light turn right onto Cottage Road which turns into Shore Road. Fort Williams/Portland Headlight will be on your left.

I grew up about 2 miles from Potland Head Light and thats the way I%26#39;d use. Hope it helps.

ps - don%26#39;t worry about traffic anywhere in Maine!!

But, isn%26#39;t portland a major city? Dosen%26#39;t it have rush-hour? Should I go through Portland to get back on I-295 or should I go back the way I came? I don%26#39;t have time to spend the day in Portland, but I do want to see the lighthouse.

Thanks-

Portland is the biggest city in Maine. Doesn%26#39;t mean much. Poulation around 70k. Aside from the late day exodus to the suburbs traffic is not a concern and even then it might take an extra 5 min to get where you%26#39;re going. There is also access to i-295 in South Portland. Don%26#39;t worry about it.