Payless Car Rental
Bangor

Navigating from baggage claim to the rental car area at Bangor International Airport is typically very straightforward. After collecting your luggage, look for the prominent signs directing you toward "Ground Transportation" and "Rental Cars." The rental counters, including Payless, are conveniently located within the terminal building, so you won't need to take a shuttle. Once you complete your paperwork at the counter, the staff will direct you to the adjacent parking lot where the rental vehicles are staged for pickup, usually just a short walk from the terminal doors.

To ensure a smooth pickup after a late flight, it's wise to confirm the Payless location's operating hours at Bangor airport ahead of your travel day. The most important step is to include your flight number in your car rental reservation. This allows the rental staff to track your flight's status and anticipate your arrival, even if it's delayed. Having this information on file helps the team prepare for your arrival and can significantly streamline the pickup process after hours.

The main baggage claim area is the most convenient and logical meeting point for your group at Bangor International Airport. It's a spacious, well-marked area that everyone arriving will pass through to collect their luggage. You can gather everyone and their bags there before designating one or two people to head to the rental car counter. This prevents the counter area from becoming crowded and ensures no one gets lost while you finalize the rental agreement.

For a straightforward drive into downtown Bangor, the best route is to follow the main airport exit road, Godfrey Boulevard, until it intersects with Hammond Street (Route 2). Take a right onto Hammond Street and continue heading east for about two miles. This road will lead you directly into the heart of downtown Bangor, passing major landmarks and eventually bringing you near the waterfront. It's a primary thoroughfare with clear signage, making it an easy drive for those new to the area.

The road system immediately around Bangor airport is relatively simple, but the first key decision point is accessing Interstate 95. As you leave the airport on Godfrey Boulevard, you will see signs for I-95 North (towards Orono) and I-95 South (towards Portland). Having your GPS or navigation app ready before you start driving is the best way to ensure you choose the correct on-ramp for your destination. Pay close attention to these initial highway signs to avoid a wrong turn right at the start of your trip.

Immediately after leaving the airport area, you'll find numerous options for supplies along Union Street and Hammond Street, the two main roads connecting BGR to the rest of the city. Within a five-minute drive, you'll encounter several large grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores. Simply head east on either of these main roads, and you will have plenty of safe and easy places to pull in, park, and stock up on whatever you need for your journey.

The most practical place to get organized is right in the rental car pickup lot itself. Before you even leave the parking space, you can take the time to install car seats, arrange luggage, and get snacks and drinks situated for the kids without any traffic pressure. If you prefer more space, a large retail parking lot, like a nearby supermarket on Union Street, offers a safe, low-traffic environment where you can take a few extra minutes to get everyone settled comfortably before hitting the main road.

When returning your vehicle to Bangor airport, the most common mistake is missing the dedicated turn-off for "Rental Car Return" and accidentally following the signs for "Departures" or "Passenger Drop-off." This often requires circling the entire airport loop again. As you approach the airport terminal, slow down and stay in the appropriate lane, looking specifically for the rental return signage, which typically directs you to a separate entrance before the main terminal curb.

For a morning flight, it's a good rule of thumb to plan your arrival at the airport rental car return lot about two hours before your scheduled departure. This provides a comfortable buffer to complete the vehicle return process, gather your luggage, and walk to the terminal for check-in and security. While the process at a smaller airport like Bangor is often quick, building in this extra time helps eliminate any stress related to potential queues or unexpected delays.

The most direct and least complicated route from the airport area to the Bangor waterfront is via Hammond Street. After leaving the airport, take Hammond Street east and follow it for approximately two miles. It will merge with Union Street and then lead you directly into the downtown core. As you approach the Penobscot River, Hammond Street intersects with Main Street, putting you right in the center of the waterfront district where most hotels are located.

To avoid the hassle of time-limited street parking, the best option for exploring downtown Bangor is to use one of the public parking garages or long-term surface lots. The Pickering Square Parking Garage, located right in the city center, is a popular and convenient choice that allows you to pay for several hours or the whole day. Parking here allows you to leave your car in one spot and comfortably explore the waterfront, shops, and restaurants on foot.

Hammond Street is one of Bangor's primary commercial and commuter corridors, so you should expect increased traffic during typical morning and evening rush hours (around 7:30-9:00 AM and 4:00-6:00 PM). The area around Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center can also experience congestion during shift changes. It's wise to allow a little extra travel time if you're driving through these zones during peak periods, but otherwise, the traffic flow is generally manageable.

To avoid post-concert traffic jams, consider parking in a downtown Bangor garage, such as the one at Pickering Square, and walking across the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge to the amphitheater. While there is parking closer to the venue, it can be very slow to exit after the event. Parking downtown and enjoying the short walk allows for a much quicker departure, as you'll be away from the immediate congestion and can access main roads more easily.

The most straightforward route is to take Interstate 95 North from Bangor for about 10 miles to Orono. For university events, the Kelley Road exit (Exit 191) or the Stillwater Avenue exit (Exit 193) are typically the best options, with signs directing you toward the campus. On a busy game day, be sure to leave Bangor at least 45-60 minutes earlier than you normally would to account for heavy traffic volume approaching the exits and on the local roads leading to the university.

For official university events, the University of Maine typically designates specific lots for visitor and event parking, so be sure to follow the signs as you arrive on campus. On busy days, these lots can fill up quickly. Some visitors choose to park in public lots in downtown Orono and then walk to campus, which can be a good strategy to avoid the most intense traffic right at the university. Always check posted signs for any parking restrictions to avoid a citation.

The drive from Bangor to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center at Acadia National Park typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes without significant traffic. To arrive before the park gets crowded, especially during the peak summer and fall seasons, you should plan to leave Bangor no later than 7:00 AM. This should get you to the park entrance well before the main rush, giving you a better chance to find parking at popular spots like Sand Beach or the Jordan Pond House.

The city of Ellsworth is the perfect midway point for a break on your drive from Bangor to Bar Harbor. Located about 30 minutes from Bangor along the main route (Route 1A), Ellsworth serves as the commercial hub for the region. You'll find numerous gas stations, large grocery stores, fast-food chains, and local cafes right on the main road. It's an ideal and convenient place to refuel both your car and your family before continuing the final leg of your journey to Mount Desert Island.

A comfortable day trip schedule would involve leaving Bangor around 8:00 AM to arrive at the park by 9:30 AM. This gives you a full day to drive the scenic Park Loop Road, visit a key attraction like Cadillac Mountain or Jordan Pond, and enjoy lunch in Bar Harbor. To keep the day relaxed, plan to start your drive back to Bangor between 4:00 and 5:00 PM, which gets you back before it gets too dark and avoids the worst of the dinner rush traffic leaving the island.

Arriving mid-day in peak season means on-street parking will be nearly impossible to find. The best strategy is to head directly to one of the larger, long-term public parking lots located on the edge of the downtown area. From there, you can easily walk to the main shops and restaurants. An even better option is to park at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center just outside of town and use the free, convenient Island Explorer shuttle bus to get into Bar Harbor and around the park.

First, you must secure a vehicle reservation online in advance, as they are required for sunrise access to Cadillac Mountain. The drive up the mountain road is paved and well-maintained, but it is winding with no streetlights. The key is to drive slowly and cautiously, using your low-beam headlights. Plan to leave Bangor at least 90 minutes before the scheduled sunrise time to allow for a relaxed, unhurried drive up the mountain in the dark.

When driving on Mount Desert Island, especially on the Park Loop Road, expect roads that are narrower than typical highways and often winding. You must share the road with many cyclists and pedestrians, so maintaining a lower speed and a high level of awareness is crucial. Wildlife, particularly deer, is very common, so be especially vigilant during the early morning and at dusk. Patience is key, as traffic often moves slowly due to sightseeing.

For a more tranquil coastal experience, head south of Ellsworth toward the Blue Hill Peninsula and the town of Stonington. This area offers stunning coastal scenery, charming small towns, and significantly less traffic and parking congestion than the Bar Harbor area. The drive from Bangor is scenic and straightforward, taking you through rolling countryside before reaching the classic Maine coastline. It's an excellent alternative for a peaceful day of exploration.

The drive from Bangor to the Baxter State Park area is very straightforward, primarily following Interstate 95 north to Millinocket. The journey takes about 1.5 hours. However, Millinocket is the last town with reliable services. Before heading toward the park entrance, it is essential to fill your car with a full tank of gas and stock up on all the food, water, and supplies you'll need for the day, as there are no stores or gas stations once you pass through town.

Your key planning point is the town of Millinocket. This is the last reliable stop for services before you enter the more remote Katahdin region. Before you continue on to Baxter State Park or any trailheads, make it a priority to stop in Millinocket to get a full tank of gas. It's also the place to visit a grocery store for snacks, sandwiches, and plenty of water, as amenities are non-existent inside the park itself.

During peak fall foliage, major routes leading to scenic areas, especially Route 1A toward Acadia and Route 15 toward Moosehead Lake, can experience significant traffic slowdowns, particularly on weekends. To avoid the heaviest congestion, try to plan your scenic drives for weekdays. If you must travel on a Saturday or Sunday, start your day as early as possible, aiming to be on the road by 8:00 AM to get ahead of the main wave of leaf-peepers.

After a winter storm, drivers should be extra cautious on bridges and highway overpasses, such as those on I-95 and I-395, as they freeze before other road surfaces. Some of the steeper hills within Bangor's city streets can also become slick and challenging. Main roads are typically well-plowed, but it's always wise to reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and allow for much longer stopping times when conditions are icy.

Deer and moose are most active at dawn and dusk, making these the most hazardous times for driving on rural roads outside of Bangor. When traveling during these low-light hours, significantly reduce your speed and actively scan the sides of the road for any signs of movement. Using your high beams when no other cars are present can help you spot an animal's reflective eyes sooner, giving you more time to react and brake safely.

Cell service can become unreliable once you travel into the more rural parts of Maine. The most important precaution is to download maps of the region to your phone for offline use before you leave Bangor. This ensures your GPS navigation will continue to work even without a cellular signal. It's also a good practice to review your route beforehand and have a general sense of the major roads and towns along your path.

On many rural routes outside Bangor, especially northward, you will encounter large logging trucks. It's important to give them plenty of space, as they are very heavy and require a much longer distance to stop. Avoid following too closely, as this can limit your visibility. If you need to pass one, only do so on a long, straight stretch of road with clear visibility, ensuring you have ample time and space to complete the maneuver safely.

A great scenic loop is to drive south from Bangor on Route 1A to the coastal city of Ellsworth. From there, you can explore a portion of Route 1 east or west before heading inland on Route 46 through the town of Bucksport. This route will eventually connect you back to I-395 to return to Bangor. This loop offers a wonderful mix of coastal views, historic towns, and rural Maine countryside, all within a manageable day trip.

The most direct and easy-to-navigate route to the coast is via Interstate 395 East from Bangor, which seamlessly becomes Route 1A South. You can simply stay on this road all the way to Ellsworth, which is considered the gateway to Mount Desert Island and the Downeast coast. This route requires very few turns and is well-signed, making it a stress-free option for reaching popular coastal destinations like Bar Harbor.

The downtown area of Bangor has a grid of one-way streets that can be confusing for first-time visitors. The area around the intersection of Main Street, Hammond Street, and Central Street requires particular attention. When driving downtown, it's best to have a GPS active and pay close attention to street signs indicating one-way traffic. Driving slowly and being prepared for lanes that may suddenly become turn-only will help you navigate the city center smoothly.

The easiest way to cross the Penobscot River between Bangor and Brewer is by using the Interstate 395 bridge (the Penobscot Bridge). This route helps you bypass most of the downtown traffic lights and congestion. While the two downtown bridges are also options, they are more susceptible to traffic backups during peak commuter hours. Using I-395 provides a quicker and generally less stressful connection between the two cities.

When you arrive at your hotel, pull into the designated check-in or loading area, even if it's only for a few minutes. Have one person from your party go inside to check in while the driver stays with the vehicle. Once you have your room key, you can quickly unload your luggage onto the curb with your party, and then the driver can proceed to the hotel's designated parking area without blocking traffic for an extended period.

Bangor International Airport has a designated cell phone lot where you can wait for free until your arriving passengers have collected their luggage and are ready at the curb. The lot is located just a minute or two from the terminal. Waiting here is far more efficient and less stressful than repeatedly circling the passenger pickup area, and it helps keep traffic flowing smoothly at the terminal.

A great approach is to dedicate your arrival day to settling in and exploring sights within Bangor itself, such as the waterfront or Stephen King's house. Plan your longest day trip, for example to Acadia National Park, for the next full day, leaving early to maximize your time. Use your third day for another, shorter excursion or to revisit any local Bangor spots you enjoyed before your departure. This structure balances a major outing with more relaxed local discovery.

The most efficient strategy is to park your car once in a central location and explore on foot. Choose a public parking garage, like the Pickering Square Garage, or a long-term surface lot in the downtown area. From there, the waterfront, dozens of unique shops, and a wide variety of restaurants are all within an easy and pleasant walking distance. This approach saves you the time and frustration of trying to find a new parking spot for each destination.

For popular trailheads, especially in places like Acadia National Park, parking lots can fill up extremely early, often before 9:00 AM on weekends in the summer or fall. Arriving early is your best bet for securing a spot. Roads leading to more remote trailheads can sometimes be unpaved gravel, so it's important to drive slowly and cautiously. Later in the day, parking may become available as early hikers leave, but it's less predictable.

During heavy rain or fog, your top priorities should be to reduce your speed and increase the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Always turn on your headlights to improve your visibility to other drivers. Be particularly cautious in low-lying areas near the Penobscot River, where fog can become exceptionally dense. On I-95, move to the right lane and drive at a speed that feels safe for the conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit.

The most efficient sequence is to first drive to the "Departures" curb at the main terminal. Here, you can drop off all your passengers and unload all the luggage. While your party proceeds to the check-in counter, the driver can then take the car, now empty, and follow the signs for "Rental Car Return." This avoids the difficulty of managing luggage in the rental lot and allows the driver to complete the return process quickly and unencumbered.