The 7 Best Scenic Drives in Maine
Maine offers some of the most beautiful scenic drives on the East Coast! Trust me, I have driven around many scenic byways, and the ones in Maine always come out on top. Whether you want to explore the coastline, mountains, or lakes, Maine has it all!
And the best part? The scenic drives in Maine are beautiful year-round and offer activities for every season. I have driven most of these in every season, so I know you will enjoy them no matter when you visit. This guide will review everything you need to know about the best scenic drives in Maine so you can add them to your bucket list!
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Tips for Exploring the Scenic Drives in Maine
Give yourself plenty of time to drive and explore the scenic drives. You can explore the scenic byways without stopping, but the stops are what makes them incredible! There are so many hikes, waterfalls, and overlooks on the scenic drives in Maine, and I recommend giving yourself more time than you think you will need to explore them. Many of these scenic drives in Maine have quaint towns nearby where you can find accommodation in and make your trip a weekend getaway.
Get gas and food before you begin your drive. Although some scenic drives have gas stations and restaurants along the route, many stretches do not. I recommend filling up on gas and getting everything you’ll need before beginning the drive.
If you are visiting in the winter, make sure to pack layers and have a vehicle with four-wheel drive. Not all roads require a four-wheel-drive vehicle, but it’s always good to have it just in case. Some must-see sights along the scenic drives are on unpaved or unmaintained roads, so a four-wheel-drive vehicle is a must for those.
If you are visiting in the summer or fall, begin your drive early. The summer and fall are the most popular times to visit Maine, and the scenic drives will have crowds. Starting early in the day will allow for more time to explore, and you will avoid most crowds in the morning.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Many of these places have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away when you finish the hike. If they don’t have trash bins, hold onto your trash until you can dispose of it properly.
When to Explore the Scenic Drives in Maine
Winter
Winter is an underrated season to explore the scenic drives in Maine. Many people visit Maine in the winter to ski and snowboard, but it offers so much more!
The scenic drives will be a lot less crowded than the rest of the year, and you will have the beautiful coast, frozen lakes, or snow-covered mountains all to yourself. Winter is one of my favorite times to enjoy a scenic drive in Maine.
Spring
If you are someone who loves the smell of blooming flowers and trees, you should explore the scenic drives in Maine in the spring. Although winter can linger through early spring, you can enjoy the valleys and coast becoming green and vibrant with wildflowers in late spring.
Spring is also one of the best times to visit waterfalls along the scenic drives because the snowmelt increases the water volume. I try to visit any waterfalls on my bucket list in spring because they are stunning that time of year!
Summer
Summer is one of the most popular times to visit Maine and explore its scenic drives. If you enjoy hiking and warm weather, you should explore Maine’s scenic drives in the summer!
You can enjoy beautiful hikes throughout the state or take a dip into the ocean. You will not be short of things to do along the scenic drives in the summer.
Fall
Fall is the most popular time to visit Maine because the vibrant fall foliage takes over everything. The beauty of visiting Maine in the fall is every road turns into a scenic drive. Since fall is the most popular time to visit Maine, I recommend exploring the scenic drives early to avoid most crowds.
The Best Scenic Drives in Maine
Acadia All-American Road
Length: 40 miles
Scenic drive information: Acadia All-American Road
The Acadia All-American Road is probably one of the most popular scenic drives in Maine. This scenic drive follows along the coast on Mount Desert Island through Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, and Acadia National Park.
The Acadia All-American Road is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Maine because it brings you to the rocky coastline, through old-growth forests, and around mountains. If you are visiting Acadia National Park, make sure to drive the entire length of the Acadia All-American Road!
Must-see sights along the Acadia All-American Road:
Sand Beach
Thunder Hole
Otter Cliffs
Jordan Pond
Cadillac Mountain
Schoodic National Scenic Byway
Length: 29 miles
Scenic drive information: Schoodic National Scenic Byway
If you are looking for a less crowded version of the Acadia All-American Road, I highly recommend driving the Schoodic National Scenic Byway! The 29-mile scenic drive travels along the coast in a commonly forgotten section of Acadia National Park on the Schoodic Peninsula.
The Schoodic National Scenic Byway offers the same beautiful coastal views as the Acadia All-American Road but with fewer crowds. It is one of my favorite coastal scenic drives in Maine because the views rival those in Acadia National Park. And it has fewer crowds!
Must-see sights along the Schoodic National Scenic Byway:
Frazer Point
Schoodic Point
Schoodic Head
Blueberry Hill
Raven’s Nest
Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway
Length: 78 miles
Scenic drive information: Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway
The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway is one of my favorite scenic drives in Maine. It travels from the Canadian Border to Solon, Maine, offering stunning views, waterfalls, and hikes.
I love this scenic drive because the views are endless, and it is less crowded than others in Maine. It is a popular destination in the winter because of the fun snowmobiling trails, but I love visiting in the fall and summer.
Although it is in the northern section of Maine, it is worth the long drive! The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway will reward anyone who travels through this remote area of Maine.
Must-see sights along the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway:
Attean Overlook
Holeb Falls
Cold Stream Falls
Moxie Falls
Grand Falls
Houston Brook Falls
Moosehead Lake Scenic Byway
Length: 59 miles
Scenic drive information: Moosehead Lake Scenic Byway
The Moosehead Lake Scenic Byway travels from Jackman to Kokadjo near the Canadian border and is another one of my favorite scenic drives. It travels along many stunning lakes, offering miles of beautiful views of Moose River, Brassua Lake, and Moosehead Lake.
You can easily add this to your road trip after you finish driving the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway. If you are willing to drive to a remote section of Maine, this scenic drive will reward you with many stunning views and things to do!
Must-see sights along the Moosehead Lake Scenic Byway:
Moosehead Lake
Mount Kineo
Lily Bay State Park
Little Wilson Gorge
Big Wilson Cliffs
Borestone Mountain Trail
Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway
Length: 36 miles
Scenic drive information: Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway
The Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway is one of my favorite scenic drives in Maine because the views are incredible. If you are looking for a scenic drive perfect for year-round adventures, the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway is it!
The 52-mile scenic drive wraps around Rangeley Lake and the surrounding mountains, providing stunning views. The Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway is the perfect place for hiking, camping, snowmobiling, skiing, boating, and seeing wildlife. I have driven it in every season, and the views never get old.
Must-see sights along the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway:
Height of Land
Rangeley Lakes State Park
Small Falls
Cascade Stream Gorge
Angel Falls
Saddleback Mountain
Bald Mountain Trail
Piazza Rock
Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway
Length: 89 miles
Scenic drive Information: Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway
The Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway is one of the most remote scenic drives in Maine, but it is worth the drive. This scenic drive offers some of the most beautiful views in Maine, especially of the state’s tallest mountain, Mount Katahdin. Mount Katahdin is one of the most iconic mountains in New England because it is at the end of the Appalachian Trail and has a rocky peak.
This area will leave you in awe and is worth the long drive! I recommend allocating a few days to explore the area, so you can see everything it has to offer! If you are looking for one of the most scenic drives in Maine and don’t mind driving to a remote area, the Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway is perfect!
Must-see sights along the Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway:
Ash Hill
Grindstone Falls
Shin Falls
Baxter State Park
Mount Katahdin
Katahdin Falls
Debsconeag Ice Caves
Grafton Notch Byway
Length: 21 miles
Scenic drive Information: Grafton Notch Scenic Byway
The Grafton Notch Byway is a stunning scenic drive near Newry, Maine. The scenic drive travels through Grafton Notch State Park and near Lake Umbagog. There is so much to do along this 21-mile scenic drive, so make sure to give yourself at least a day to explore it. If you are looking for a scenic drive in Maine with many hikes and waterfalls, the Grafton Notch Byway is for you!
Must-see sights along the Grafton Notch Byway:
Screw Auger Falls
Step Falls
Old Speck Mountain Trail
Puzzle Mountain Trail
Eyebrow Trail
Table Rock Trail
If you want to plan a trip to explore the scenic drives in Maine, this guide is a great place to start! It has everything you need to know about the most beautiful scenic drives in Maine!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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