Build your perfect Maine itinerary—coast, mountains, and small towns.
Build your perfect Maine itinerary—coast, mountains, and small towns.
If you’re looking for unforgettable scenic drives in Maine, you’re in for something special. Maine is not just a destination — it’s a road trip paradise. With over 3,500 miles of coastline, dramatic mountains, charming harbor towns, lighthouses, lakes, forests, and some of the most spectacular fall foliage in the country, Maine offers some of the most picturesque driving routes in the United States.
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a fall foliage road trip, or a summer coastal adventure, these Maine scenic drives deliver breathtaking views, hidden gems, and memorable stops at every turn.
Below are the best scenic drives in Maine that every traveler should experience at least once.
Route: Kittery to Bar Harbor
Best For: Coastal views, lighthouses, seaside towns
No list of scenic drives in Maine would be complete without Route 1, the iconic Maine coastal drive. This legendary highway hugs the Atlantic coastline and passes through postcard-perfect fishing villages, historic harbors, lobster shacks, and rocky ocean cliffs.
Route: 27-mile loop inside Acadia National Park
Best For: Mountains, ocean cliffs, sunrise views
The Acadia National Park Loop Road is one of the most stunning scenic drives in Maine — and arguably in the entire country. This carefully designed road winds through granite peaks, dense forest, and along rugged ocean cliffs.
Route: Rangeley to Height of Land overlook
Best For: Mountain views, fall foliage, lakes
If you’re searching for the best Maine fall foliage drive, this is it. The Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway is famous for its dramatic mountain vistas and mirror-like lakes surrounded by forests that explode with color in autumn.
The Height of Land overlook offers one of the most photographed views in Maine — sweeping mountains and lakes stretching to the horizon.
Route: Newry to Upton (Route 26)
Best For: Waterfalls, gorges, mountain forests
Less crowded but incredibly beautiful, the Grafton Notch Scenic Byway is a favorite among locals. This route cuts through a mountain pass with waterfalls, hiking trails, and deep gorges.
Route: Route 1 between Camden and Belfast
Best For: Harbor views, small towns, photography
This shorter stretch of Route 1 may be one of the prettiest coastal segments in the state. Camden’s harbor, often called the “Jewel of the Coast,” leads into rolling hills and ocean views on the way to Belfast.
Climb Mount Battie in Camden State Park for a panoramic view you’ll never forget.
Route: Greenville around Moosehead Lake
Best For: Wildlife, forests, remote beauty
This drive showcases Maine’s wild interior. Moose sightings are common, and the road wraps around Maine’s largest lake, offering quiet beauty far from tourist crowds.
Perfect for travelers seeking solitude and authentic wilderness.
Route: Route 201 from Solon to the Canadian border
Best For: Rivers, history, fall colors
Following the Kennebec River, this drive combines history and nature. Once a trading route for Native Americans and early settlers, today it’s one of the most peaceful scenic drives in Maine.
Rafting companies, overlooks, and forested stretches make it a memorable journey.
Waterfalls, fewer crowds, blooming forests
Coastal beauty, boating towns, blue skies
World-class foliage, crisp air, mountain colors
Snowy forests, quiet roads, frozen lakes
Whether you follow the coastline, climb into the mountains, or explore Maine’s deep forests, these scenic drives in Maine offer something extraordinary for every traveler. Map out your route, pack your camera, and prepare for one of the most beautiful road trips in America.
Maine isn’t just a place you visit.
It’s a place you drive, feel, and remember forever.
A modern, practical guide to planning Maine trips—built for speed, clarity, and bookings.
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