Boston to Bangor in 5 Hours... Can It Be Done?

[CamEdwards]

So I have to go to Bangor on Monday for my brother's funeral service. Flying in and out of Bangor wasn't an option, so I'm flying in and out of Boston instead. My flight gets in at 8:15, and the service (which is fairly informal) starts at 2 p.m. I'm not checking a bag, so I'm figuring that I can get my rental car and be on the road by 9 a.m., giving me 5 hours to get up there.

Has anyone here ever had to make that drive, and is 5 hours enough time to do it? If not I'm going to have to make arrangements to fly up tomorrow and stay for another day, which was something I was hoping to avoid.

[st.cronin]

I think it's actually about a 3 hour drive, although that depends a lot on how long it takes you to get out of Boston.

[DaddyTorgo]

mapquest calls it 4 from boston to bangor

[terpkristin]

Mapquest says it can be done in ~4 hours, but considering what time it is that you'll be arriving, I imagine traffic will be a factor for you to consider, which might be pushing things. Flying into Manchester, if it's a possibility, might be a better alternative (little shorter drive but traffic will likely be better).

I'm sorry for your loss.

/tk

[KevinNU7]

Speaking from experience (lived in Boston for years and my paretns have a cabin about 40 miles from Bangor). It can be done easily if there isn't any traffic.

With that said from the airport out of the city North you will do pretty well espically given it will be the morning heading opposite the normal traffic congestion.

I do however feel that 9:00AM is a little optimistic for you to expect to be in your car. Your 8:15 landing will be followed by taxing which could be as long as 15 minutes and then it could take you a bit of time to get to the rental car spot. And then you are also coming in at prime business travel time which means you might have a big line at the rental place.

[KevinNU7]

Also, from the airport you will want to get on Route 1 North, do not get on 93 North. You will travel on 1 North for about 15 miles and then get onto 95 North. Much fast then taking 93N and less traffic.

[CamEdwards]

Cool, thanks for the help. I feel a bit better now. My dad, who's obviously a little stressed right now, called the house last night when I was on the air and chewed out my wife, telling her I was stupid to think I could make it in five hours.

I wasn't that close to my brother. He's more than 20 years older than me, and we never really knew one another. But this is the 2nd child my father's had to bury, and I know it's weighing on him.

[flere-imsaho]

Also, from the airport you will want to get on Route 1 North, do not get on 93 North. You will travel on 1 North for about 15 miles and then get onto 95 North. Much fast then taking 93N and less traffic.

Quoted for emphasis.

My folks live in Brunswick, so I pretty often fly into Boston and drive up. Boston to Portland's usually no longer than 2 hours, and Bangor's usually 1.5-2 hours more than that. I usually keep it at 70, though, because it's pretty cop-infested.

But anyway, you should be fine.

[CamEdwards]

cool, thanks Flere.

I did change my hotel reservation from Bangor to Boston, so I'll be going up and back in a day. I figure it's better for me to check into a hotel at midnight or so and check out at 10 a.m. than for me to check in at 7 p.m. and have to check out at 3 a.m.

Thanks again for everyone's help.