Best Scenic Drives in Maine

Discover Maine's most breathtaking scenic drives, each dotted with stunning landscapes from coastal vistas to beautiful forests, crystal-clear lakes, and majestic mountain views.

Our Favorite Scenic Drives in Maine

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Our rankings are based only on editorial opinion, not any commercial consideration.

View of the Maine coastline at Acadia National park.

Acadia All-American Road

🚗 30 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 30 minutes

Easy

This beautiful round drive will take you on a loop route through Acadia National Park, offering stunning views of the coastline, forests, and mountains.

Panoramic view of Rangeley Lake in Maine, surrounded by autumnal trees viewed from the top of a hill

Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway

🚗 45 miles ⏱️ 1 hour

Easy

This drive is a stunningly scenic route through the western mountains of Maine, offering breathtaking views of lakes, mountains, and wildlife.

Sunny view of Portland's head lighthouse, Cape Elizabeth, Portland, Maine

Maine Coastal Highway 1

🚗 305 miles ⏱️ 7 hours

Moderate

Stretching from York to Calais, this iconic coastal drive passes through charming towns, picturesque harbors, and beautiful beaches.

Sunset over the lake, with tree silhouettes in the foreground in Northern Maine

Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway

🚗 75 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 40 minutes

Moderate

Running to the Canadian border, this scenic route follows the Kennebec River and winds through historic towns, beautiful forests and pretty lakes.

Beautiful red and white striped tower and white building of the West Quoddy Head during sunset

Bold Coast Scenic Byway

🚗 110 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 20 minutes

Moderate

Get ready for beautiful coastal scenery from Milbridge to Eastport; this route offers rugged landscapes, lighthouses, and small fishing villages.

Golden sunlight filtering through forested hills during a calm autumn day in Maine

Grafton Notch Scenic Byway

🚗 20 miles ⏱️ 40 minutes

Easy

Enjoy driving on a beautiful stretch through the Mahoosuc Range and past stunning Grafton Notch State Park, with access to waterfalls and hiking trails.

Winter Harbor Lighthouse with dramatic views of Atlantic Ocean waves crashing in on a sunny day

Schoodic National Scenic Byway

🚗 30 miles ⏱️ 1 hour

Easy

A relatively short and stunningly scenic drive around the Schoodic Peninsula, across Acadia National Park, featuring rocky coastlines and small towns.

A closeup of a seaplane in Moosehead Lake, Greenville, Maine

Moosehead Lake Scenic Byway

🚗 65 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 40 minutes

Moderate

This scenic route around Moosehead Lake provides opportunities to see wildlife, especially moose, and beautiful landscapes, especially near Greenville.

Autumnal view of the mountains with orange and red foliage visible on the trees in Maine

Pequawket Trail Scenic Byway

🚗 60 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 30 minutes

Moderate

Winding through the White Mountains and the Saco River Valley, this drive features forested landscapes, charming small towns, and stunning mountain views.

Reflection of green trees and the dramatic clouds in the sky over calm Crooked Brook

10.

Million Dollar View Scenic Byway

🚗 10 miles ⏱️ 10 minutes

Easy

This short drive is known for stunning views of the Chiputneticook Lakes and the beautiful landscape bordering Canada, as well as the Million Dollar scenic overlook.

Views of the scenic mountain in the distance with a forested valley at its feet on a sunny day in Maine

11.

Katahdin Woods & Waters Scenic Byway

🚗 90 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 30 minutes

Moderate

Take this scenic drive to admire the beautiful views of Mount Katahdin, Maine's highest peak, and the surrounding lakes and wilderness areas.

Scenic view of the mountain across a meadow with dramatic clouds visible in the sky

12.

High Peaks Scenic Byway

🚗 50 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 10 minutes

Moderate

This route winds through the rugged terrain of Maine's western mountains, offering breathtaking views of peaks, charming small towns, and beautiful fall foliage.

The white wooden exterior of the Cherryfield Academy building with trees in the background on a cloudy day

13.

Blackwoods Scenic Byway

🚗 20 miles ⏱️ 25 minutes

Easy

This drive features blueberry barrens, rugged granite coastline, unspoiled New England charm, and offers scenic mountain views with exposed granite ledges.

The dark brown wood exterior of the Blockhouse section of the historic fort in Maine

14.

Fish River Scenic Byway

🚗 135 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 5 minutes

Easy

Bordering Canada, this is a scenic driving route through historic towns of Aroostook County, known for its rolling farmland, lakes, and views of Mount Katahdin.