South Coast is served by excellent roads

Auto Routes

Getting to the South Coast By Car

Located at the very Southern tip of Maine, the South Coast borders on New Hampshire and is just about an hour's drive from Boston, MA.

From points south and west, take I-95 north. Good alternates are U.S. Route 202 and Route 1. Route 202 enters the region further inland, and Route 1 parallels I-95 but truly hugs the coast.

From points north, I-95 is the most direct route, at the very least from Augusta. Travelers from Quebec and north-central Maine may wish to travel down another route and pick-up I-95 as they get closer to the coast.

The South Coast is Maine's smallest region, and communities are closely spaced, make travel between them more convenient than in any other part of the state.

While I-95 is the most direct route to reach any of the coastal towns and cities, U.S. Route 1 and it's auxiliary branches will provide a more scenic drive. Use these routes to get to all the shoreline areas, including Ogunquit, Kittery, Portland, the Yorks, Wells, Kennebunk, Cape Elizabeth and Old Orchard Beach.

Further inland, U.S. Route 202 passes through Sanford, Waterboro, Buxton, Gorham, and Windham.

I-495, an adjunct of I-95, takes a more westerly course -- further inland -- from Portland, up into Lewiston and on to Augusta, where it re-unites with I-95.

One final note: Travelers in the summer months should be prepared for heavy traffic on I-95, anywhere within the South Coast.