How to Get to Southport Island (From Portland, Boston, or Beyond)
For a place that feels tucked away, Southport Island is surprisingly easy to reach. Whether you’re coming from southern Maine, Boston, or further afield, the trip offers a satisfying mix of highway cruising and winding coastal roads. Here's what to expect as you make your way to the Boothbay region — and how to enjoy the journey along the way.
If You're Coming from Portland (2 hrs or less)
This is the most common route for travelers flying into Maine or spending a day or two in the city before heading up the coast.
Route: I-295 North → Route 1 North → Route 27 South
Drive Time: ~1 hr 45 min
Tip: Skip the turnpike and take I-295 through Freeport to stay closer to the coast.
Optional Stop: Grab a coffee or snack in Wiscasset — yes, the town with the famous line at Red’s Eats.
If You're Coming from Boston (3.5–4 hrs)
From Boston and the North Shore, you’ll spend most of your drive on the highway, then dip into coastal Maine for the final hour.
Route: I-95 North → I-295 North → Route 1 North → Route 27 South
Drive Time: 3.5–4 hours, depending on traffic
Traffic Alert: Summer weekends can slow things down around Portland and Wiscasset. Aim for earlier departures when possible.
Optional Stop: Take a stretch break in Freeport or Brunswick for food, bathrooms, and last-minute essentials.
The Final Stretch: Route 27 to Southport Island
Once you exit Route 1 in Edgecomb and head down Route 27, you’re about 40 minutes from the cottage. This stretch winds through Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor before crossing the small bridge onto Southport Island.
Notable Landmarks: Boothbay Center, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (on your right), downtown Boothbay Harbor
Gas & Groceries: Last big stops for gas and Hannaford are in Boothbay
Final Bridge: The Southport Island swing bridge is short, narrow, and slightly iconic — it’s also one lane, so you may need to wait your turn
What You Won’t Need
No ferry or boat required. Southport is connected by bridge and fully accessible by car.
No four-wheel drive necessary. Unless you’re visiting in a snowstorm (which you won’t be — Camelot is a summer rental), any car will do just fine.
No toll road surprises. Maine tolls are on I-95; if you're coming up via I-295 and Route 1, you're in the clear.
Travel Tips for the Drive
Check traffic near Wiscasset. It’s one of the few spots where a small bridge creates major summer delays. Traffic is never fun for anyone, but we recommend taking the opportunity to enjoy the view; Wiscasset is ranked #4 on Maine’s list of top 10 prettiest villages (behind Boothbay Harbor in #2, we might add).
Avoid Friday 4–7 PM arrivals if you can. The Boothbay peninsula fills in fast on weekends.
Pack a podcast or playlist. Cell service can dip briefly once you’re past Route 1, so download directions and entertainment ahead of time.
However you arrive, that last stretch to Southport Island always feels like a shift: the air smells like spruce and salt, the roads quiet down, and the pace slows without asking. It’s the kind of place that feels remote in all the right ways — without ever being hard to find. Whether you're coming from a few towns over or a few states away, the journey here is part of what makes a week at the cottage feel like a true getaway.
Thinking of planning your own Southport Island getaway? Camelot is a cozy, two-bedroom cottage with just enough space to slow down. Check availability on VRBO →