Take These 10 Country Roads In Maine For An Unforgettable Scenic Drive
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Michelle
Author
There are lots of ways to take in the beauty of Maine. The seemingly endless hikes, the incredible state parks, and the fact that there’s plenty of rocky coast are just a few of the reasons so many people love life here. But, while these are all certainly fantastic ways to appreciate what Maine has to offer, there’s nothing like taking in the sights from the road. The meandering country roads in Maine allow access to some of the most hidden, but beautiful, parts of the state. If you’ve got some time on your hands and aren’t in any hurry, you might want to hit the road to check out the best of the state by car. The Maine scenic routes here are the perfect roads to help you do that.
Milbridge, ME, USA
Lubec, ME, USA
This 125-mile route is one of the most robust on the list and will take you to places you've heard of, but may have never visited. You'll need a weekend for this, but it's worth it! No other area of Maine is quite like this portion of Downeast Maine and Coastal Washington County.
The route begins in the community of Milbridge and heads eastward along the coast to Lubec. From here, you'll go towards Cobscook Bay and on to Eastport. If you choose this trip, you'll be treated to Maine's incredible wild blueberry barrens, coastal forests and marshes. You'll have opportunities to stop and enjoy the many recreational trails that allow you to explore the land around you. This is also one of the best Jeep roads in Maine!
The route begins in the community of Milbridge and heads eastward along the coast to Lubec. From here, you'll go towards Cobscook Bay and on to Eastport. If you choose this trip, you'll be treated to Maine's incredible wild blueberry barrens, coastal forests and marshes. You'll have opportunities to stop and enjoy the many recreational trails that allow you to explore the land around you. This is also one of the best Jeep roads in Maine!
Peekaboo Mountain, Weston, ME 04497, USA
This is certainly not the only span of Route 1 that's a stunner, but it might be the one that's most "official." Hopping in the car for this one means views of East Grand, Brackett and Deering Lakes before reaching the byway's high point near the top of Peekaboo Mountain. If you want to continue, this route will ultimately lead you into Aroostook County or New Brunswick, Canada.
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Fish River, Fort Kent, ME 04743, USA
This 37-mile trip between Portage and Fort Kent will lead you to some of the best that Northern Maine has to offer. Take in the views of natural landscapes, including Mt. Katahdin and Eagle Lake and then take a few side trips to places like Fort Kent Blockhouse, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway and Aroostook State Park.
Golden Road, Golden Rd, Millinocket, ME 04462, USA
The 96-mile Golden Road was built by the Great Northern Paper Company and stretches from the St. Zacharie Quebec border crossing to the company's former mill in Millinocket. Much of this road is unpaved so make sure your car can handle the trip before heading out. If you go, you'll be treated to incredible views of Katahdin on the way. Begin the drive in Millinocket, head to Ambajejus Lake, then Greenville and on to Seboomook Lake. Lastly, you'll be heading towards the Saint-Zacharie border crossing.
Mount Abraham, Mt Abraham, East Central Franklin, ME 04983, USA
Kingfield, ME 04947, USA
This 50-mile Northern route connects Kingfield with Sugarloaf, Stratton and Eustis. Begin in Kingfield and follow the Carrabassett River for views of Mount Abraham and the Bigelow Range. Continue to the end and you'll be at the international border crossing in Coburn Gore. Some nice sights along the way include Sugarloaf for skiing, Moose Alley for bowling and maybe even a few steps along the Appalachian Trail for hearty folks.
Pequawket Trail, Brownfield, ME, USA
This 60-mile route makes for a lovely 2-hour trip in any season. If you do it soon, you can make a day of it and take a picnic, do some hiking and check out the local swimming holes. Throughout the trip along the Saco River and the Mountain Division Rail, you'll pass sustainable working farms, artisans and pure nature. The byway runs between Standish and Fryeburg.
Schoodic National Scenic Byway, US-1, Sullivan, ME 04640, USA
This trip is a good one to make if you're using Bar Harbor as a base. Make your way to Hancock and jump onto US-1. This 29-mile route will take you through the only mainland portion of Acadia National Park. Along the shoreline, there are plenty of beautiful lighthouses and nature, as well as views of Cadillac Mountain and Mount Desert Island. Along the way, make time to stop at the variety of places on the National Historic Register, including The Prospect Harbor Light and The Old Sullivan Store. Other nice options are Mt. Desert Island and Quarry Wharf. This is undoubtedly one of the best backroads near me and I think you'll find it as wonderful as I do.
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U.S. 201, US-201, Augusta, ME, USA
Route 201, QC-201, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC, Canada
Choose this route if you're a history buff or if you have a love of adventure, including the desire for a quick rafting trip along the way. You'll see evidence of the 19th and 20th-century lumber boom in many of the towns on this 78-mile route. In fact, most of the area is working forest and Route 201 continues to be an important trade route between Canada and the US. As you pass through these beautiful small towns, make sure to see one of the oldest, continually operating summer music theaters in the US, the Lakewood Theater in Madison.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Hauling Rd 1, Millinocket, ME 04462, USA
Baxter State Park, Millinocket, ME 04462, USA
Part of Maine's scenic byway system, this 89-mile trip is another one that will take you through the North Woods. On this trip you'll go from Baxter State Park to Millinocket where you'll hop onto Route 11 to Medway. Here you'll head North on Route 11, eventually following Route 159 to the northern boundary of Baxter State Park at Matagamon. You can access the byway from Exit 244 in Medway and Exit 264 in Sherman if you're traveling on I-95.
Rangeley Lake, Maine 04970, USA
Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Maine 04964, USA
This 52-mile route on State Routes 17, 16, and 4 surrounds Rangeley Lake and crosses the Appalachian Trail. The most memorable part is, perhaps, the view of Mooselookmeguntic Lake at the Height of Land. Depending on which season you make the trip, add a detour to Angel Falls, Coos Canyon, Rangeley Lakes State Park, Rangeley Logging Museum or Saddleback Mountain for skiing.
The scenic drives near me are my favorite way to clear my head and start fresh. Have you experienced this side of the state? Have you been on any of these Maine scenic routes? If so, we’d love to hear about your favorite stops along the way. Let us know in the comments!
Another way to take in the best of Maine is by checking out our favorite waterfalls road trip. It leads to some of the most incredible natural areas in the state. But, before you hop in the car to check it out, be sure you’ve got all the best road trip snacks!
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More to Explore
Country Roads in Maine
What are the best road trips through Maine?
The best road trips through Maine lead to some of the most fabulous attractions, sights, and views. Here are a few you should try next:
- The Scenic Maine Waterfall Loop: This 179-mile trip should take about four hours of driving time and leads to eight incredible waterfalls. From tall to small, each one is lovely.
- The Coastal Maine Lighthouse Road Trip: From Kittery to Southwest Harbor, the nine lighthouses on this journey represent some of the most important and beautiful lights in the state.
- The Ultimate Maine Whoopie Pie Road Trip: For those with a sweet tooth, this road trip is a must-do! It leads to all the best spots to find Maine's official state treat.
Are there any covered bridges in Maine?
There are plenty of lovely covered bridges in Maine you'll want to visit. A few to put on your list include:
- Watson Settlement Bridge, Littleton, Aroostook County: At 150 feet, this remote bridge is among the longest in the region. It was built in 1911 and is open for foot traffic only.
- Hemlock Covered Bridge, Fryeburg, Oxford County: Built in 1857, this is the oldest bridge in all of Maine. It spans the Old Course Saco River.
- Sunday River Bridge, Newry, Oxford County: Also known as Artist’s Bridge, it's not uncommon to see painters and other artists at the banks of the Sunday River taking in the beauty of this special bridge. It's especially lovely in the fall when the leaves change colors.