The Comfort Inn Ellsworth - Bar Harbor is the practical option for travelers who want to save money or who find Bar Harbor sold out at the dates they need. Ellsworth is the last sizable town before the bridge to Mount Desert Island, about 20 miles from Bar Harbor, and it offers a cluster of chain hotels, grocery stores, restaurants and services at generally lower prices than the island. This hotel is a standard, reliable member of the Comfort Inn family, with clean rooms, a free breakfast in most cases, wifi and parking at the door. It will not give you views or atmosphere, but it does give you value and convenience, particularly for visitors who arrive late or leave early, who are driving from Bangor or points south, or who are traveling in a group and want a reliable bed. The drive to the park entrance is under an hour in most conditions, although summer traffic on Route 3 can add time.
The trade-offs
Staying in Ellsworth means a 30 to 45 minute drive each way to reach Bar Harbor and the park, and summer congestion on Route 3 and the Trenton causeway can stretch that. You will not be walking to restaurants and tours, and you will need a car or a rideshare.
In exchange you get lower nightly rates, fewer minimum-stay rules, easier parking and access to supermarkets, outfitters and fuel stations, so it is a reasonable base for self-guided visitors who plan early starts. The Island Explorer does not generally run from Ellsworth, so plan your own transport.
What the town offers
Ellsworth has a small historic downtown on the Union River with cafes and shops, a few restaurants and the Birdsacre wildlife sanctuary. It is also the gateway to Schoodic Peninsula to the east and to Blue Hill and Deer Isle to the south, so it works for road trippers who plan to cover more of Downeast Maine. If you intend to take a trolley tour or whale watch from Bar Harbor, factor in parking costs and early arrival times in town.
Who it suits
Budget-minded families, groups, drivers who want easy parking, late arrivals from the airport at Bangor and travelers who book at the last minute. It is less suitable for those who want to experience the Bar Harbor atmosphere, evenings in the village or sunrise on Cadillac Mountain without a long drive. To balance the choice, consider splitting your stay between Ellsworth and a night or two at an inn in Bar Harbor. Book early for summer and October, and check what the breakfast includes.
Why stay here
- ✓Free breakfast in most rates
- ✓Wifi
- ✓Free parking at the door
- ✓Clean standard rooms
- ✓Close to supermarkets and restaurants
- ✓Gateway to Schoodic and Blue Hill
- ✓About 20 miles from Bar Harbor
- ✓Value rates compared with the island
Good questions
How far is Ellsworth from Bar Harbor?+
About 20 miles, usually 30 to 45 minutes by car, longer in summer traffic.
Is it a good choice for budget travelers?+
Yes, rates are generally lower than on the island and parking is easy, though you will need a car.
Does the shuttle run from Ellsworth?+
The Island Explorer generally serves the island and Schoodic, not Ellsworth, so plan to drive or arrange a ride.