How far inland do I need to travel to see fall foliage in ME?
 

If traveling between Portland and Bar Harbor, how far inland do I have to drive to see the fall colors? This would just be short trip inland (2-3 hrs) and then back to the coast. Hope I'm making sense. :) Or, would this be easier done on the way back from Bar Harbor to Portland via I-95?

Foliage
 

You can see some foliage near the coast, especially on Mt Desert Island.

The question is not how far inland, but how far north. The earlier in foliage season, the further north you have to go. After early October the colors are normally pretty inescapable.

When are you going? If you want to monitor foliage, check for updates each Wednesday.

We'll be in ME from 10/11>10/14. Will be in Bar Harbor area by 10/13. Mt. Desert is a good suggestion.

Just a heads up - The last couple weeks have been rather odd weather-wise, very dry and a lot of rather chilly nights all over the state (not below freezing, but a lot of nights in the 40s). While it's always tough to predict when the foliage will peak, I'm getting this gut feeling it might be on the early side this year. If that pans out, your time frame might actually be past peak in most of the state.

If you'll have the capability to go south of Portland (possibly FAR south), I might advise having that as a backup plan just in case.

Thanks. We'll be driving up from BOS so if it peaks early we'll see some color in MA and NH.

Ah, that's good. Wasn't sure where you'd be coming from, your OP almost made it sound like you'd be flying into PWM. Glad that's not the case!

Just drove back to Portland from Quebec City today. Leaves have already started to turn in the northern and central parts of Somerset County.

Is this a little early? :(

Yes, it does seem fall has come a little early this year.

The leaves were starting to change at the US Open. I've never seen that before.

This is good new for us, as well will be flying to BOS and spending a couple of days before driving up to Portland for 4 days.

How long is the drive each way — ballpark figure.

That's about 5 1/2 hours roughly, depending on CBP/CBSA for whichever direction you're heading.