Portland to Ocean City Road Trip Guide

The drive from Portland to Worcester runs mainly along the rugged and beautiful New England coastline. It’s only as you get closer to Boston that you’ll turn inland. Of course, Boston is a great city to visit, full of interesting attractions and wonderful places to eat and drink. But if you’re after a quieter New England experience, consider heading for Worcester instead.

Although it’s much smaller than nearby Boston, Worcester is a college town, and as a result offers more than its fair share of places to eat, drink, and have fun. For a dose of culture, check out Worcester Art Museum. Its eclectic exhibits include some of the finest Roman mosaics you’ll see anywhere in the US.

But if you have young ones with you and a museum sounds a little slow-paced, consider visiting the EcoTarium instead. This science center features a planetarium, life-size dinosaurs, wildlife exhibits, and much more. The kids will be so entertained, they won’t realize they're learning too.

Once you pass New Haven, there are plenty of charming seaside towns you could stop in. But Bridgeport, as well as having the same beautiful scenery you'll find all along this coastline, offers some quirky attractions you won’t get anywhere else.

After hours on the road, Seaside Park gives you the opportunity to stretch your legs along three miles of coastline. The beaches and tide pools make great places for collecting shells or looking for marine wildlife.

There’s more wildlife on offer at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, located in Bridgeport. The zoo hosts a collection of impressive animals from both North and South America, and also has a carousel and a café where you can grab a bite to eat.

Bridgeport is also home to the Barnum Museum. Named for renowned circus impresario PT Barnum, this museum is devoted to the history of circus performance, and offers a range of bizarre and fascinating exhibits from the last century and more.

From here, the road takes you past the megacities of New York and Philadelphia. If you’ve never been to these metropolises, now might be the time to visit. There are almost limitless things to do in these urban environments, and you could spend weeks exploring without seeing it all.

But if the thought of steering a large RV through busy city streets makes you break out in a cold sweat, don’t worry. This part of the country has more to offer than skyscrapers.

Just outside Philadelphia, a short drive will bring you to Wharton State Forest. The largest forest in New Jersey, Wharton feels another world, far removed from the huge cities that are so close by. Once you get in the shade of the tall trees here, it’s easy to forget that you're only around 25 miles from Philadelphia.

The glittering rivers and lakes of Wharton State Forest make for excellent fishing, whether you choose to cast a line from the shore or from a boat. You can also steer a kayak or canoe along the waterways and get a new perspective on this wild land. If you’re looking to stretch your legs after a long drive, you’ll find no end of hiking trails, including the 50-mile long Batona Trail.

No one could blame you for feeling tired after all that exploration. For once, even the kids might be out of energy. So why not pitch camp at Atsion Family Campground? This campground can accommodate RVs up to 22 feet in length, and although there are no hookups, isn't that half the fun of camping? You will find a dump station and flush toilets on site, and each campsite is equipped with a fire ring and a picnic table. Reservations are accepted here and are a good idea in the busy summer months.

If you time your trip just right, you may be able to see a race at Dover International Speedway before you reach your final destination of Ocean City. The noise of the engines and the roar of the crowd is enough to thrill anybody - not just the kids. Check the website for details of upcoming races and events.

While at the Speedway, you won’t be able to miss its most famous mascot, Miles the Monster. This 42-foot tall fiberglass behemoth rises from the ground just outside the racetrack, brandishing a car in his hand. Even if there are no races when you visit, a photo opportunity with Miles is something you shouldn’t pass up. The monster even made a run for president in 2012, though unfortunately, he failed to secure the necessary votes to lead the country.

Ocean City is now only a few miles down the road. But if you want to stay for the night, Dover International Speedway offers camping on the Monster Mile. This can be a good option if you’ve witnessed an evening race and indulged in some of the freely available alcoholic beverages at the stadium.