Maine hosts one of the oldest scenic byway programs in the United States. Visitors and locals alike love exploring Maine Scenic Drives for breathtaking views and memorable road trips.
Because of this rich history, seven magnificent routes hold federal designations as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads.
In addition, six state-designated routes provide outstanding scenic corridors across the state.
These roadways offer historic significance, vibrant cultural highlights, thrilling outdoor recreation, and stunning landscapes.
From rugged granite coastlines to quiet northern pine forests, Maine delivers world-class road trip adventures.
Why Take These Maine Scenic Drives?
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Authentic Views: You escape busy highways to experience real fishing villages, quiet woods, and mountain notches.
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Local Flavors: These routes connect you directly to farm stands, seafood shacks, and family-owned country stores.
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Easy Outdoor Fun: You gain fast roadside access to hiking trails, boat launches, and wildlife viewing areas.
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Year-Round Charm: Every season offers something special, from summer ocean breezes to world-famous autumn foliage.
1. Acadia All-American Road
The 40-mile Acadia All-American Road holds a prestigious federal designation as an All-American Road.
Indeed, this status represents the highest standard among national scenic routes.
The route begins on Route 3 on the mainland.
Next, it crosses onto Mount Desert Island and travels through bustling downtown Bar Harbor.
From Bar Harbor, the drive rolls directly into the primary section of Acadia National Park.
Along the way, you will encounter crashing Atlantic surf at Thunder Hole and towering pink granite cliffs.
Furthermore, you can drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain for breathtaking panoramic ocean vistas.
Therefore, remember to reserve your vehicle summit pass online before visiting during peak summer and fall seasons.
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Main Route: Route 3 to Park Loop Road
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Distance: 40 miles
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Highlight Stops: Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond House, Cadillac Mountain Summit
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Contact Information: Acadia National Park Headquarters, (207) 288-3338
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Park Details: National Park Service Acadia
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Local Dining and Lodging: Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
2. Schoodic National Scenic Byway
If you want a quieter coastal alternative to Mount Desert Island, this byway is ideal.
The Schoodic National Scenic Byway explores the peaceful, less-developed mainland section of Acadia National Park.
This 29-mile route winds past sheltered harbors, working lobster docks, and dramatic rocky shorelines.
Consequently, you will pass through authentic maritime communities like Hancock, Sullivan, Winter Harbor, and Prospect Harbor.
Along the way, families can stop at interactive Kids Quest stations.
These educational stations teach young explorers about local ecology, granite quarrying history, and lobstering traditions.
Additionally, you can visit Schoodic Point to watch ocean waves collide forcefully against massive dark basalt dikes.
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Main Route: Route 1 to Route 186
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Distance: 29 miles
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Highlight Stops: Schoodic Point, Prospect Harbor Lighthouse, Sullivan Harbor Overlook
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Contact Information: Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, (207) 288-1310
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Educational Programs: Schoodic Institute
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Local Travel Details: Schoodic National Scenic Byway
3. Bold Coast National Scenic Byway
The Bold Coast National Scenic Byway offers 125 miles of wild, unspoiled coastal Downeast Maine.
This scenic drive invites travelers to discover vibrant maritime heritage, active fishing harbors, and untamed wilderness.
Specifically, the byway extends from Milbridge northeasterly through quiet coastal villages to Lubec.
Then, it skirts the dramatic shoreline of Cobscook Bay all the way to historic Eastport.
Along the road, you will pass sweeping wild blueberry barrens and expansive tidal saltwater marshes.
Moreover, you can hike along rugged sea cliffs that plunge straight into the Bay of Fundy.
Be sure to visit West Quoddy Head Light in Lubec to stand at the easternmost point of the nation.
Afterward, head into Eastport to view the Old Sow Whirlpool, the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere.
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Main Route: Route 1, Route 1A, Route 187, and Route 190
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Distance: 125 miles
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Highlight Stops: West Quoddy Head State Park, Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land, Downtown Eastport
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Contact Information: Downeast Coastal Conservancy, (207) 255-4500
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Route Maps: Bold Coast Scenic Byway
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Regional Guides: Visit Downeast Maine
4. Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway
Next, head inland toward the western mountains of Maine along the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway.
This 35-mile drive winds through scenic mountain passes and circles six pristine glacial lakes.
As a result, the route offers abundant four-season recreation, including boating, fly fishing, hiking, skiing, and snowmobiling.
During autumn, the surrounding mountain ridges burst into brilliant shades of crimson, gold, and orange foliage.
The greatest highlight of this drive is the famous Height of Land on Route 17.
This overlook provides breathtaking views across Mooselookmeguntic Lake and the surrounding Appalachian peaks.
Consequently, photographers consider Height of Land one of the most picturesque scenic viewpoints in New England.
Also, keep your eyes open during morning drives, because moose frequently feed along roadside bogs.
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Main Route: Route 4 and Route 17
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Distance: 35 miles
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Highlight Stops: Height of Land Overlook, Rangeley Lake State Park, Smalls Falls
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Contact Information: Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce, (207) 864-5571
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Visitor Center: Rangeley Lakes Chamber
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Outdoor Recreation: Rangeley Lake State Park
5. Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway
The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway follows an ancient trading corridor along Route 201.
This 78-mile route travels north through dense working forests from Solon directly to the Canadian border.
The roadway closely traces the Kennebec River and the historic path of Benedict Arnold’s 1775 expedition.
Along the drive, quiet river towns like Bingham and Jackman offer relaxing places to rest and eat.
Additionally, this corridor ranks among the finest locations in Maine for spotting wild moose.
You can stop at the Robbins Hill scenic overlook in Solon for sweeping views of the Kennebec Valley.
For thrill-seekers, the surrounding wilderness offers world-class whitewater rafting on the Kennebec and Dead rivers.
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Main Route: Route 201
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Distance: 78 miles
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Highlight Stops: Attean Overlook, Robbins Hill Scenic Area, Moxie Falls
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Contact Information: Upper Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce, (207) 672-4100
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Regional Tourism: Kennebec Valley Tourism
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State Byway Directory: Maine Scenic Byways Program
6. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Scenic Byway
Immerse yourself in the deep North Woods wilderness along the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Scenic Byway.
The route begins at the southern entrance of Baxter State Park near Millinocket.
Then, it winds north along Route 11 and the Penobscot River through the town of Patten.
Finally, the byway terminates near the northern entrance of Baxter State Park at Grand Lake Matagamon.
This scenic drive showcases majestic views of Mount Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine.
Outdoor opportunities include wilderness camping, remote canoeing, kayaking, cold-water trout fishing, and hiking trails.
Furthermore, the route provides easy access to the pristine Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
Make sure to visit the Lumbermen’s Museum in Patten to discover the rugged logging heritage of Maine.
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Main Route: Route 11, Route 159, and Grindstone Road
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Distance: 89 miles
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Highlight Stops: Shin Pond, Patten Lumbermen’s Museum, Ash Hill Scenic Overlook
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Contact Information: Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce, (207) 723-4443
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Chamber Services: Katahdin Chamber of Commerce
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Park Reservations: Baxter State Park Authority
7. St. John Valley Cultural Byway and Fish River Scenic Byway
Located in northernmost Aroostook County, this 134-mile combined corridor celebrates rich Acadian heritage and culture.
The route combines Maine’s first scenic byway, Fish River Byway, with its first cultural byway, St. John Valley Byway.
The St. John Valley segment follows the Canadian border between Dickey and Hamlin along a peaceful river valley.
Travelers drive past fertile potato fields, historic Catholic churches, and unique nineteenth-century Acadian log structures.
Meanwhile, the Fish River segment traverses rolling lands between the lakefront towns of Fort Kent and Portage.
This section rewards drivers with pristine vistas of Eagle Lake, Portage Lake, and colorful wildflower meadows.
In addition, stop at local roadside diners along the way to taste traditional Acadian buckwheat ployes.
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Main Route: Route 1, Route 11, and Route 161
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Distance: 134 miles
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Highlight Stops: Acadian Village in Van Buren, Fort Kent Blockhouse, Eagle Lake Public Overlook
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Contact Information: Northern Maine Development Commission, (207) 498-8736
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County Tourism: Visit Aroostook
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Heritage Preservation: Acadian Village Historic Site
Picturesque State-Designated Maine Scenic Byways
Besides the seven federal routes, Maine maintains six outstanding state-designated scenic byways.
These routes offer fantastic day trips filled with hidden gems and peaceful landscapes.
8. Blackwoods Scenic Byway (Route 182)
This 12.5-mile route connects Franklin and Cherryfield through a rugged forest corridor.
You will travel past quiet woodland ponds, hiking trails on Catherine Mountain, and inland blueberry barrens.
9. High Peaks Scenic Byway (Route 27)
This alpine drive runs from Kingfield through Carrabassett Valley to Eustis.
It passes beneath the towering slopes of Sugarloaf Mountain and follows the rushing Carrabassett River.
Plan your mountain adventures with the Sugarloaf Mountain Resort in Carrabassett Valley.
10. Moosehead Lake Scenic Byway (Route 15)
Beginning in Monson, this 59-mile route winds north through Greenville along the sparkling shores of Moosehead Lake.
You can stop in Greenville to board the historic 1914 steamboat Katahdin for a narrated cruise.
Book scenic lake tours with the Moosehead Marine Museum in Greenville.
11. Grafton Notch Scenic Byway (Route 26)
This 21-mile mountain pass cuts through the Mahoosuc Range between Newry and the New Hampshire border.
Travelers can easily explore dramatic roadside waterfalls, including Screw Auger Falls and Mother Walker Falls.
Download state trail maps through the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
12. Million Dollar View Scenic Byway (Route 1)
Located on Route 1 between Danforth and Orient, this 8-mile stretch delivers incredible panoramic scenery.
You can gaze across the Chiputneticook Chain of Lakes directly toward the rolling hills of New Brunswick, Canada.
13. Pequawket Trail Scenic Byway (Route 113)
Winding along the Saco River between Standish and Fryeburg, this drive explores the gentle foothills of western Maine.
The route showcases rural farm stands, historic covered bridges, and peaceful river canoe access points.
Find local area guides with the Greater Fryeburg Chamber of Commerce.
Practical Tips for Your Maine Road Trip
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Watch for Wildlife: Moose and white-tailed deer frequently wander onto forested roads during dawn and dusk hours.
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Prepare for Spotty Cell Service: Mobile coverage remains limited in remote northern and Downeast areas, so download offline maps.
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Check Seasonal Road Openings: High-elevation roads like Route 113 through Evans Notch close during winter and early spring.
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Support Local Businesses: Small country stores, roadside diners, and local craft shops rely heavily on seasonal travelers.
Start Planning Your Maine Adventure
Every one of these 13 scenic byways tells a unique story about Maine’s rich culture, history, and landscapes.
Whether you seek crashing ocean waves, serene mountain overlooks, or peaceful North Woods trails, the perfect route awaits you.
Grab your map, pick a starting point, and set out to explore the open roads of Vacationland today.
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