You’re standing on the edge of the Maine coast, looking northeast, and you know Canada is right there. It feels like you could almost touch it. But getting to Nova Scotia from Maine is one of those trips that looks simple on a map and turns into a "choose your own adventure" novel the second you start booking. I’ve seen people blow three days of their vacation just trying to navigate the Bay of Fundy. It's beautiful, sure, but it’s also a logistical beast.
Honestly, most people mess this up. They either drive the whole way and realize halfway through New Brunswick that they've spent ten hours looking at trees, or they book the ferry without checking the seasonal schedules and end up stranded in Bar Harbor.
The CAT Ferry: Is It Worth the $600?
If you want the fastest way to get to Nova Scotia from Maine, you’re looking at The CAT. This is the high-speed catamaran that runs from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth. It’s fast. It’s sleek. It’s also incredibly expensive.
Expect to pay a premium. For a couple with a standard SUV, you’re easily looking at $500 to $700 for a round trip. That’s a lot of lobster rolls. But here’s the thing: the crossing takes about 3.5 hours. If you chose to drive from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, you’d be behind the wheel for roughly 9 to 10 hours, covering over 600 miles. You have to ask yourself if your time is worth $60 an hour. For some, it is. For others, the drive through the Saint John River Valley is part of the charm.
The CAT doesn't run year-round. It’s a seasonal beast, usually operating from late May through mid-October. If you’re planning a "winter wonderland" trip in December, the ferry isn't an option. You’re driving. Period.
Customs and the "Bar Harbor Shuffle"
The terminal in Bar Harbor is small. It’s efficient, but it’s still an international border. You need your passport. You need your NEXUS card if you have one. Don't be the person who gets to the ramp and realizes their paperwork is at the bottom of a suitcase in the trunk. The crew will not be happy.
Driving the "Long Way" Around
Let's talk about the drive. Leaving Maine and heading into New Brunswick via I-95 is the standard route. You’ll cross at Houlton or Calais. I prefer Calais. It’s more scenic, and you get to hit St. Andrews by-the-Sea on the way up.
Once you’re in Canada, the road opens up. The Trans-Canada Highway is well-maintained, but it can be mind-numbing. You’ll pass through Moncton, which is basically the "hub" of the Maritimes. This is where you make a choice. Do you head straight for the Nova Scotia border at Amherst, or do you take the "hidden" shortcut?
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The Saint John to Digby Secret
Technically, this isn't Nova Scotia from Maine directly, but it’s the hybrid move. You drive from the Maine border to Saint John, New Brunswick (about an hour and a half from Calais). From there, you take the Fundy Rose ferry. It’s a traditional ship, not a high-speed cat. It takes you across to Digby.
Why do this?
- It’s cheaper than the Bar Harbor ferry.
- Digby is the scallop capital of the world. Seriously, eat the scallops.
- You get a break from driving without the massive price tag of the high-speed boat.
Why the Bay of Fundy Ruins Your Plans
The tides here are the highest in the world. We’re talking 50 feet of vertical movement. This matters for your trip to Nova Scotia from Maine because it dictates when certain coastal roads are accessible and when the ferries can dock comfortably in extreme weather.
If there’s a massive storm in the North Atlantic, the CAT gets cancelled. It’s a catamaran; it sits high and moves fast, which makes it susceptible to swells. I once met a family who had their ferry cancelled three days in a row due to fog and high seas. They ended up driving the loop anyway, but they lost their hotel deposits in Halifax. Always, always have a "Plan B" drive route saved in your offline Google Maps.
The Reality of Gas Prices and Currency
You cross that border and suddenly "gallons" become "liters." The math gets fuzzy. In 2024 and 2025, gas prices in Nova Scotia have consistently tracked higher than in Maine. If you’re driving a gas guzzler, fill up in Calais or Houlton before you cross. You’ll save twenty bucks easily.
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Also, credit cards. Use one with no foreign transaction fees. Canada is almost entirely cashless now. Even the smallest craft breweries in the Annapolis Valley take tap-to-pay. You don't need a thick stack of Canadian "loonies" and "toonies" anymore, though they’re fun to look at.
Logistics You’ll Actually Need
- Arrive early: For the Bar Harbor ferry, they want you there 60-90 minutes before departure. They aren't joking. If you’re late, the gate stays shut.
- Pets: You can bring them. They usually stay in the car or in a designated kennel area on the boat. Check the ArriveCAN requirements (though they’ve relaxed lately, rules for pets can still be specific).
- The Bridge: If you decide to visit Prince Edward Island on your way to Nova Scotia, remember the Confederation Bridge. It’s a toll bridge, but you only pay when you leave the island.
Halifax vs. The South Shore
Once you finally arrive in Nova Scotia from Maine, where do you go? Most people head straight for Halifax. It’s a great city. The boardwalk is world-class. But if you took the ferry to Yarmouth, you’re actually closer to some of the best coastal scenery in the world.
Don't rush to the city.
Drive the Lighthouse Route.
Visit Shelburne.
Go to Lunenburg—the whole town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and looks like a movie set because, well, it often is.
Things Nobody Tells You About the Border
The border guards at Calais are usually pretty chill, but they will ask you about fire wood. Do not bring Maine firewood into Canada. Pests like the Emerald Ash Borer are a massive concern for the forests in the Maritimes. They will seize it, and they might fine you. Buy your bundles at the campground in Nova Scotia.
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Also, pepper spray. In the US, it’s a self-defense tool. In Canada, it can be considered a prohibited weapon if it’s designed for use against humans. If you have "bear spray," that’s usually fine, but keep it in the trunk and declare it.
The Best Time to Make the Trip
September is the sweet spot. The crowds in Bar Harbor have thinned out. The humidity in Nova Scotia has dropped. The water in the Bay of Fundy is at its "warmest" (which is still freezing, let’s be real). Most importantly, the ferry is still running, and the fall colors start hitting the Annapolis Valley.
Actionable Steps for Your Journey
- Book the Ferry Early: If you’re taking The CAT, spots for vehicles sell out weeks in advance for July and August.
- Download Offline Maps: Cell service in rural New Brunswick and parts of the Nova Scotia shore is spotty at best. Don't rely on a live data connection for navigation.
- Check the Schedule: The CAT does not run every single day in the shoulder season. Verify your dates on the Bay Ferries website before booking your Maine hotels.
- Exchange a Little Cash: While cards are king, if you find a roadside stand selling "dulse" (salty dried seaweed) or fresh blueberries, they might be cash-only.
- Pack Layers: You can be sweating in 80-degree heat in Bar Harbor and shivering in a 50-degree fog bank halfway across the Atlantic.
The trip to Nova Scotia from Maine is a rite of passage for New Englanders. It’s a transition from the rugged North Woods to the salty, Celtic soul of the Maritimes. Whether you take the high-speed boat or the long road through the pines, just make sure you’ve got your passport and a hunger for seafood. You're going to need both.
Practical Next Steps: Check the current sailing status on the Bay Ferries website for the Bar Harbor to Yarmouth route. If the ferry is booked, map out the route from Calais, Maine, to Moncton, New Brunswick, as your primary driving alternative. Ensure your vehicle insurance covers international travel; most US policies do for Canada, but a quick call to your agent will confirm you're protected once you cross the border.