dallas to maine road trip

Texas to Maine Road Trip: 2 Epic Itineraries

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 go. 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 .

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.

Ultimate Guide To Nashville TN: 11 Top Places To Visit

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