Maine Scenic Drives and Byways

One of the most enjoyable things to do on Maine vacations is to simply take a quiet sightseeing ride along Maine scenic drives and byways. If you do, I am certain that you will not be disappointed!

Awaiting you en route, will be postcard perfect scenery.

Certain to catch your attention as you travel Maine scenic byways in Downeast Maine will be the...

...quaint fishing villages, working harbors, and rocky cliffs hiding secluded beaches, all set along a backdrop of magnificent island mountains.

Further inland, among tiny rural communities...

...hundreds of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams decorate a landscape of wide-open meadows, rolling hillsides, miles of heavily forested land, gorgeous state parks, and some of the most stunning mountain scenery in New England.

Maine scenic drives and byways will also take you past popular Maine tourist attractions, historic sites and landmarks, and an abundance of Maine wildlife.

Gray Owls, Bald Eagles, bear, deer, fox, lynx beavers and of course...

...the famous Maine moose, all call this part of the country home, and generously share it with outdoorsman and adventure lovers who enjoy all that is has to offer.

Scenic byways in Maine pass directly through regions that are ideal for hiking, biking, boating, canoeing, kayaking, camping, swimming, fishing, hunting...

...bird watching, white water rafting, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and many other outdoor wilderness activities.

Pretty Maine scenic drives and byways sightseeing is most popular from late May until early October, when the leaves are on trees - with Maine foliage drives being the most spectacular.

However, on winter accessible roads, traveling through a winter wonderland and seeing snow capped mountains in the distance can make winter Maine scenic travel absolutely enchanting.

Where are the best scenic drives in Maine? That will be for you to decide...

Maine Scenic Byways, National Scenic Byways

In all, there are thirteen specifically dedicated scenic roads in Maine. Nine of these roads are Maine Scenic Byways, three are National Scenic Byways, and one has been designated as an All American Road...

...nearly all of them are scenic inland Maine drives.

Whichever one of these Maine scenic roads you choose to travel, you can be assured that they will provide unparalleled opportunities for Maine sightseeing...

...and will meet the America Byways designation criteria, as being "gateways to adventures where no two experiences are the same."

Aroostook Byways

The uniqueness of Maine's wilderness is ever present in Aroostook, Maine's largest and northernmost county. Aroostook lies bordered north, east and west by Canada.

Fish River Scenic Byway (Router 11): From Portage to historic Fort Kent - on the St. Johns River and the Canadian border - Route 11 travels in a northerly direction. It offers outstanding views of Mount Katahdin, Eagle Lake, miles of forest land and beautiful open meadows.

Distance: 37 miles - Map
Time: 1 hour

Saint John Valley Cultural Byway: Also known as the La Route Culturelle de la Vallee St-Jean, various intersecting routes along the Canadian border and Saint John River Valley provide an excellent glimpse into Maine Acadian heritage.

Distance: 92 Miles - Map (unavailable)
Time: Day trip

More Maine scenic drives and byways...

Downeast and Acadia Byways

Named from the Downeast tack that sailors used to navigate to the northern coast of Maine, Downeast Maine has a spectacular blend of ocean and mountain scenery.

Acadia Scenic Byway: Also known as the Acadia All American Road, Route 3 and the Park Loop Road, in Acadia National Park, provide stunning vistas of Mount Desert Island, Frenchman Bay and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

Distance: 40 miles - Map
Time: 3 hour

Blackwoods Scenic Byway (Route 182): Route 182 connects Cherryfield - the self-proclaimed "Blueberry Capital of the World - to Franklin, as it passes by Spring River Lake and Tunk Lake, and small town rural life that is surrounded by Maine's natural beauty.

Distance: 12.5 miles - Map
Time: .5 hour

Million Dollar View Scenic Byway (Route 1): With a southerly starting point in Danforth, Route 1 travels 8 miles north providing wonderful views of Grand Lake, Brackett Lake and Longfellow Lake, Mount Katahdin and Peekaboo Mountain, and eastward toward New Brunswick, Canada.

Distance: 8 miles - Map
Time: 1 hour

Schoodic National Scenic Byway: Passing through Schoodic Peninsula to Schoodic Point and onto Prospect Harbor, this scenic Maine National Byway provides magnificent views of the Maine coast, Mount Desert Island and Cadillac Mountain. Portions of the route pass through the only portion of Acadia National Park that is on the mainland.

Distance: 29 miles - Map
Time: 1.5

More Maine scenic drives and byways...

Kennebec and Moose River Valley Byways

An outdoorsman's paradise, known as the Kennebec and Moose River Valley region, lies along a portion of the 150 mile Kennebec River and scenic Route 201.

Old Canada Road Scenic Byway (Route 201): Beginning in Bingham, Route 201 travels north along the Kennebec River onto Sandy Point at the Canadian Border. Caratunk, The Forks, Jackman, and surrounding areas along the route, are favorites for backcountry adventure.

Distance: 78 miles - Map
Time: 3 hours (realistically, allow a day to enjoy)

Seboomook Scenic Byway: The Seboomook Byway travels Route 15 through the Moosehead Lakes region from Greenville to Jackman, with portions of the route passing alongside Moosehead Lake.

Distance: 59 miles - Map
Time: Depending on stops, allow several hours

More Maine scenic drives and byways...

Maine Lakes and Mountains Byways

The western portion of the state and Maine Lakes and Mountains region is abundant with four season recreation and dramatic scenery.

Grafton Notch Scenic Byway: Beginning just a short distance from Sunday River Ski Resort, in Newry Maine, Route 26 travels towards the New Hampshire border passing through dramatic vistas of Grafton Notch State Park.

Distance: 21 miles - Map
Time: 3 hours

Pequawket Trail Scenic Byway (Route 113): The Pequawket Byway begins in Standish, and until it reaches Fryeburg, it follows a route that runs close to the Saco River. As the road continues north to Gilead it offers incredible distant glimpses of Mount Washington, New Hampshire and close range views of the White Mountain National Forest in Maine.

Distance: 60 miles - Map
Time: 2 hours, or a full day to enjoy

Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway: With part of this scenic route traveling along the Appalachian Mountain chain, Routes 4 and 17 wrap themselves around Rangeley Lake and Mooselookmeguntic Lake. They provide stunning vistas, in particular from an area on Route 17 known as the Height of Land.

Distance: 52 miles - Map
Time: 2.5 hours, or a full day to enjoy

State Route 27 Scenic Byway: Beginning in Kingfield, near Sugarloaf Mountain, Route 27 heads northwesterly through Carrabassett Valley and onto Eustis. It then travels through incredible Maine wilderness before reaching Coburn Gore at the international border

Distance: 47 miles - Map
Time: 1.5 hours

The Mahoosucs Scenic Touring Loop: Although NOT listed as a Maine Scenic Byway, the Mahoosucs scenic drive is well worth noting. This spectacular 100-mile ride winds through parts of Maine and New Hampshire. Along they way, traveling through forests, past parks and trails, scenic vistas, and many other points of interest.

Distance: 100 miles - Map
Time: Varies depending on stops

More Maine scenic drives and byways...

The Maine Highlands Byways

Also known as the Katahdin-Moosehead region, The Maine Highlands lie center state, with the dramatic Mount Katahdin as a centerpiece.

Grindstone Trail Scenic Byway: Three highway segments comprise this historical route that begins in Medway, and culminates at Matagamon Lake and the northern entrance to Baxter State Park. Parts of the highway run parallel to the East Branch of the Penobscot River and the route offers spectacular views of Mt. Katahdin and the Appalachian Mountain range.

Distance: 59 miles - Map
Time: Depending on stops, allow several hours

Seboomook Scenic Byway: The Seboomook Byway travels Route 15 through the Moosehead Lakes region from Greenville to Jackman, with portions of the route passing alongside Moosehead Lake.

Distance: 59 miles - Map
Time: Depending on stops, allow several hours

You may also be interested in:
Detailed State of Maine Map
Maine Tourist Attractions
Places to Visit in Maine
Maine Weather Forecast

Maine Scenic Drives and Byways Information Resources

Information about Maine National Scenic Byways and Maine Scenic Byways is provided in part by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, and by...

...the Maine Department of Transportation website, www.exploremaine.org.

The Maine DOT website not only provides useful information on every scenic drive in Maine, including...

...route highlights, side trips and wonderful descriptions of what you can expect to see along the way, but the site also offers a wealth of information on Maine...

...walking and biking trails, Maine ferry transportation service, train travel in Maine, commuter services (including park and ride - maintained by the Maine DOT and the Maine Turnpike Authority), and bus service in Maine.

Please note... The Maine scenic byway maps that are linked to via this website, are the property of the Maine DOT. Maps are their property and cannot be copied or reproduced without their consent.

Also... Before embarking on Maine scenic drives and byways adventures, check with the Maine DOT - exploremaine.org - for possible road closures.