Considering a Texas to Maine road trip? If you’re looking for an itinerary from Houston, Texas to the great state of Maine, there are many routes you can take. This post focuses on getting to Maine fast while focusing on popular and quick destinations in between. Each daily destination offers a highlight(s) so that the family can have a break from the drive while also seeing the very best of a USA city. Use each itinerary to plan a road trip from Texas to Maine, Maine to Texas, or both!
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How many days does it take to go from Houston to Maine?
3 days. Maine is approximately 31 hours of non-stop driving from Houston, Texas, and will vary depending on the traffic. Even with two people taking turns driving and with minimal stops, it’s hard to get to Maine in less than 3 days. It’s not impossible, but definitely not the most fun.
You can spend as much or as little time as you want road-tripping from Houston to Maine, but a family road trip is far more enjoyable if a fun destination(s) is the goal for each day.
Why road trip to Maine?
Driving to Maine from Texas in lieu of flying is a fantastic way to see the eastern USA. Flights from Houston to Maine are $800+ per person during peak summer months but driving costs can be as low as $1800 round trip when you factor in hotels, food, and fuel. Besides, since the pandemic airlines aren’t making it easy to transport large dogs. And who wants to leave their pet behind on an epic summer vacation?
We always make the road trip from Houston to Maine an adventure and on the return we primarily drive till we drop. I’ve done this Texas to Maine road trip and back 3 times since 2021 with my husband, 2 kids, and a dog!
Houston To Maine – Itinerary 1
This is a 5-day pet-friendly road trip itinerary from Houston, Texas to York, Maine.
Day 1: Destination Memphis
- Distance Houston to Memphis: 9.5 hrs
- Pet-friendly hotel: Hotel Indigo
- Where to eat: Central BBQ
- Must do in Memphis with kids: See the ducks march at Hotel Peabody!
Historical murals paint Memphis Tn
Day 2: Destination Nashville
- Distance Memphis to Nashville: 3.5 hrs
- Pet-friendly hotel: Renaissance Nashville Hotel
- Where to eat: Milk & Honey in The Gulch
- Must do in Nashville with kids: Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Read Ultimate Guide To Nashville TN: 11 Top Places To Visit for a full day in Nashville.
See the What Lifts You Mural in Nashville’s Gulch Area
Day 3: Destination Cincinnati
- Distance Nashville to Cincinnati: 4 hrs
- Pet-friendly hotel: Residence Inn Cincinnati Downtown
- Where to eat: Molina’s Brewery
- Must do in Cincinnati with kids: Findlay Market
Check out Roebling Suspension Bridge, or mini Brooklyn, in Cincinnati
Day 4: Destination Niagara Falls
- Distance Cincinnati to Niagara Falls: 7 hrs
- Pet-friendly hotel: Sheraton Niagara Falls
- Where to eat: Wine on Third
- Must do in Niagara Falls with kids: Maid of the Mist
Niagara Falls is a must on a Texas to Maine road trip
Day 5: Destination Maine
- Distance Niagara Falls to York Maine: 8 hrs
You’ve arrived! Once you cross the New Hampshire border into Maine look for the popular state line sign as you cross the bridge. (LL Bean sells whimsical postcards of the state sign at their home store in Freeport.)
For inspiration on what to do once you’ve crossed the NH/Maine border, visit these must places to see in Maine.
Rockland Breakwater Light
Houston To Maine – Itinerary 2
This is a 4-day pet-friendly road trip itinerary from Houston, Texas to York, Maine.
Day 1: Destination Orange Beach AL
- Distance Houston to Orange Beach: 8.5 hrs
- Pet-friendly hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach
- Where to eat: The Gulf – Orange Beach. NOTE: Kenny Chesney’s popular Flora-Bama restaurant and bar is no longer pet-friendly and kids aren’t allowed after 6. If staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach, COASTAL is located next door with live music and gorgeous oceanfront views. COASTAL allows service dogs only.
- Must do in Orange Beach with kids: Orange Beach!
Orange Beach is bliss for a Houston to Maine road trip!
Day 2: Destination Asheville
- Distance Orange Beach to Asheville: 9 hrs
- Pet-friendly hotel: AC Hotel by Marriott Asheville
- Where to eat: Wicked Weed Brewing
- Must do in Asheville with kids: Asheville Pinball Museum
Find this hello Asheville mural at The Orange Peel – a top 5 music venue in the USA
Day 3: Destination Hershey
- Distance Asheville to Hershey: 9 hrs
- Pet-friendly hotel: Tru by Hilton Hershey Chocolate Ave
- Where to eat: The Chocolate Avenue Grill has a dog-friendly patio. As of 2023, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant no longer allows dogs.
- Must do in Hershey with kids: Hershey’s Chocolate World
Create a custom candy bar at Hershey Chocolate World!
Day 4: Destination Maine
- Distance Hershey to York Maine: 7 hrs
- Where to eat: Fox’s Lobster House
- Must do in York with kids: Nubble Lighthouse
Sohier Park to see Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse is dog-friendly
You’ve arrived! Once you cross the New Hampshire border in Kittery, Maine, keep your eyes peeled for the “Welcome Home” sign (formerly, “The Way Life Should Be”).
Start your Maine visit in York and then head north for these must-do places in Maine.
Houston To Maine – Itinerary 3
This is a 3-day pet-friendly itinerary that gets you to Maine fast but includes a touch of adventure on day 2 to break up the monotony of the 2000+ mile drive.
Day 1: Destination Chattanooga TN
- Distance Houston to Chattanooga: 13 hrs (factors in the time zone switch)
- Pet-friendly hotel: Moxy Downtown Chattanooga
- Where to eat: Universal Joint and Feed Table & Tavern
- Must do in Chattanooga with kids: Ruby Falls! They even have 4 dog kennels available on a first-come first-serve basis so you have a safe place for your pooch while you go on the 1-1.5 hour waterfall tour.
- Read 1 Perfect Day in Chattanooga for a full itinerary.
Obviously Windsor has grown since our Nashville trip!
Day 2: Destination Staunton VA
- Distance Chattanooga to Staunton: 7 hrs
- Pet-friendly hotel: Hotel 24 South
- Where to eat: Byers Street Bistro
- Must do in Staunton with kids: Pop into the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum. Staunton is Wilson’s birthplace and the presidential library is 1 of only 14 in the USA.
Staunton is 100% Americana! Eat at Byers Street Bistro
Day 3: Destination Maine
- Distance Staunton to Kittery Maine: 11 hrs
- Where to eat: Buoy Shack
- Must do in Kittery: Whaleback Lighthouse
Buoy Shack: Lobsters, whoopie pies & dog-friendly! Welcome to Maine
Houston to Maine – College Tour Itinerary
This is a 3.5-day pet-friendly itinerary that gets you to Maine fairly direct with esteemed college campus tours conveniently along the way. Ideal for families with teenagers beginning their college search. After all, you need to keep the kids vested in this half-country road trip!
Day 1: Destination Atlanta GA
- Distance Houston to Atlanta: 12 hrs (factors in the time zone switch)
- Pet-friendly hotel: Renaissance Atlanta Midtown
- Where to eat: Cypress Street Pint & Plate
- Must do in Atlanta with kids: Go to The Roof at Ponce City Market
- College Tour: Georgia Tech. Use the campus map to see Tech Tower (the most iconic building on campus), Clough Undergrad Learning Commons (a modern, green-certified building with rooftop views), Tech Green (green space where Campanile fountain is located), Bobby Dodd Stadium, and Tech Walkway for a sense of STEM.
The carnival roof at Ponce City Market is fun for all ages – slide included!
Day 2: Destination Chapel Hill NC
- Distance Atlanta to Chapel Hill: 6 hrs
- Pet-friendly hotel: Graduate by Hilton Chapel Hill
- Where to eat: Carolina Brewery
- Must do in Chapel Hill with kids: Visit the free Carolina Basketball Museum and explore Franklin Street.
- College Tours: UNC and Duke (20 minutes north of UNC).
- On the Tar Heel campus, visit these five favorite spots: Coker Arboretum, The Old Well (tradition is to drink from the Old Well on the first day of class for good grades!), Polk Place (named after alumn US President James K Polk), The Student Union, and The Pit.
- On the Blue Devils campus, start at Duke Chapel, visit Perkins Library, head to Pratt Engineering, swing by Wallace Wade Stadium and stop at Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
Day 3: Destination Princeton NJ
- Distance Chapel Hill to Princeton: 8 hrs
- Pet-friendly hotel: The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village
- Where to eat: Teresa’s Pizza and Wine Bar
- Must do in Princeton with kids: Explore Palmer Square and stop at Thomas Sweet for ice cream.
- College Tours: Princeton University. Start at Nassau Hall, walk down Prospect Avenue (look for the school’s eating clubs that are in lieu of Greek life), see the University Chapel and Firestone Library. Time needed ~ 30 minutes.
Day 4: Destination Maine
- Distance Princeton to York: 6 hrs
You’ve arrived! For more college tours while in Maine, add these elite schools to your list: Colby College and Bowdoin College.
Maine to Houston, Texas – “The Push”
This is a 3-day non-stop route from Maine to Houston or vice versa. This is the 95 route that is heavy in traffic. Time departures perfectly to minimize more time spent in a car. Hotels and restaurants aren’t listed because we have friends and family to leverage for each destination.
- Day 1: Maine to Washington, DC
- Day 2: Washington, DC to Atlanta, GA
- Day 3: Atlanta, GA to Houston, Texas!
OOB is a top Maine attraction in July
Final Tips For a Texas to Maine Road Trip
Mini-destinations for at least one way or both are essential for driving from Houston to Maine. But in addition to that, using these tips makes your road trip even more enjoyable.
- Time stops for family and dog restroom breaks at each state welcome center so you can grab a family photo in front of each state sign.
- Create a Spotify road trip playlist!
- Remember it’s not about just the final destination but lots of stuff to see in between. If you drive with this in mind (and remind the kids!), the long hours will be less painful.
- Pack plenty of water and snacks in the car.
And if your road trip destination is the reverse, check out these 10 Best Things To Do In Houston.