7 Most Scenic Drives in Maine
Maine's scenic byways have one rule: don't be in a hurry. Some are short enough to knock out before lunch. Others, like the Golden Road, will eat your whole day on nearly a hundred unpaved miles through active logging country and leave you wanting more. There are working harbors, ancient forests, and mountain summits with views into two countries. Seven drives, seven completely different Maines. The only question is what you're willing to stop for.
Bold Coast Scenic Byway
The drive most travelers know in Maine takes them to Acadia National Park. North of Mount Desert Island, though, the coast keeps going and gets quieter. The Bold Coast Scenic Byway runs through that overlooked stretch.
The route begins on US Highway 1 in Milbridge, with multiple access points from Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Bangor, Portland, and Belfast. The number of stops along the way is a real perk. Pause in Cherryfield to pick up some blueberries, or push through to Lubec to see the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. Several side roads off the highway lead to small fishing villages, all good for food and a chance to refuel.
Old Canada Road
Starting in Solon, the Old Canada Road follows Route 201 north toward Canada. The route is one of the more enjoyable Maine drives during the off-season, with several views of the Kennebec and Dead Rivers along the way that look their best in fall.
The 78-mile byway also has historical depth. Beyond the rivers, stops like the Bingham Free Meetinghouse and the Great Carrying Place north of Bingham add context. The Solon Hotel in Solon and The Sterling Inn in Caratunk make solid starting points or rest stops.
Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway
One of Maine's most secluded drives is the Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway. The route runs through Millinocket along Route 11 and the Penobscot River to Patten and onward toward Grand Lake Matagamon, passing the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument along the way. The byway is in the same general region as Baxter State Park, which sits a short distance to the west, but the byway itself is a public-road route and is not officially defined by Baxter's gates. The byway has more trails and wildlife viewing than most, which makes warm-weather travel the better bet. The trails themselves get more crowded than the roads do.
The roadside stops earn their place. Heading north on Route 11 brings panoramic views of Mount Katahdin from Ash Hill. Other landmarks include the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and the Katahdin Loop Road, just west of Ash Hill. From the byway, side roads lead west toward Baxter State Park's Matagamon Gate, the park's northern entrance.
Schoodic National Scenic Byway
The Schoodic National Scenic Byway runs through the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park and avoids most of the Bar Harbor crowds. Most travelers stick to Mount Desert Island, where the bulk of the park sits, so the Schoodic Peninsula stays quieter. Warmer months tend to play to the area's strengths.
The drive itself is only about 29 miles, but the stops will pull a longer day out of you. Frazer Point Picnic Area has views you won't find anywhere else nearby. About two and a half miles farther on, Schoodic Head climbs to roughly 440 feet and offers a sweeping vantage over the peninsula and surrounding waters. Other worthwhile stops include Winter Harbor for fishing boats coming in with the morning haul, the small village of Corea, and the reversing falls at Tidal Falls Preserve.
Million Dollar View Scenic Byway
The shortest route on this list is the Million Dollar View Scenic Byway. The drive starts in Danforth on Route 1 and covers only 8 miles. It runs along the Chiputneticook Lakes, an area filled with fishing holes, and includes several pull-offs for views into Canada to the east and Mount Katahdin to the west. The drive eventually reaches the area near Peekaboo Mountain's summit, with an overlook of Grand Lake and the western mountains of New Brunswick.
For such a short drive, the stops cover a lot of ground: fishing, kayaking, skiing, snowshoeing, and birdwatching are all available depending on season. The drive works year-round, with warmer or colder months suiting different preferences.
The Golden Road
The Golden Road is roughly 96 miles in total length. Whether the name comes from the road's value to the timber industry or the rumor that it cost a million dollars per mile to build, the route runs west from Millinocket to the Quebec border at the St. Zacharie Border Crossing, passing the Moosehead Lake region along the way. Most of it is unpaved.
The long stretch has plenty of stops along the way and one toll, since the road passes through the privately managed North Maine Woods. The toll is worth it, with stops like the Ripogenus Falls, Ripogenus Gorge, and Ripogenus Dam along the route. Inside the North Maine Woods portion, hundreds of campsites are available, with about a dozen accessible directly off the Golden Road.
One thing to know: the Golden Road serves active logging operations, and you will share it with logging trucks. Trucks have the right of way. Pull over when you spot one coming.
Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway
Crystal-blue lakes, alpine vistas, and dense forest define the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway. The diversity is one of its draws. The route moves from heavily wooded forest into farmland, past several chains of lakes, and along brisk mountain streams.
The byway has two main access points, Madrid and Byron. Madrid follows Route 4 to Rangeley, then turns toward Oquossoc and Route 17. Byron follows Route 17 in reverse. Stops include the Angel Falls Trailhead, Shelton Noyes Overlook, Piazza Rock Trailhead, Rangeley Lake State Park, and viewpoints of Saddleback Mountain.
Maine's roads tell different stories from drive to drive. Old Canada Road leans into history, the Million Dollar View into a quick payoff, the Schoodic and Katahdin byways into seclusion and wildlife. Whatever you want from a road trip, one of these seven drives probably has it. Pack accordingly and pick the one that catches your interest.
