Rockland is about 80 miles (130 kilometres) northeast of Portland by US Route 1. The drive takes about 90 minutes. There is no passenger rail service to Rockland; the nearest Amtrak stop is Portland, Maine.
The Concord Coach bus service runs between Boston's South Station and Rockland (and on to Belfast) once or twice daily, stopping at Portland and Brunswick en route. The journey from Boston takes about four hours.
The Maine State Ferry Service runs boats from the Rockland Ferry Terminal to Vinalhaven (70 minutes) and North Haven (70 minutes) year-round. These are working ferries that take passengers, vehicles, and freight — not tour boats — and are a practical way to visit the islands.