The Best Scenic Drives in Maine

Some of the best of Maine is seen from the road. After three decades running Maine’s resource guide, these are the scenic drives we recommend – from Acadia’s famous loop to the wild Bold Coast, matched to the kind of scenery you want.

Coming from Boston? Our Maine road trip from Boston guide lays out the route by drive time.

The best scenic drives in Maine are the Park Loop Road in Acadia, Route 1 along the coast, Route 17 to the Height of Land near Rangeley, the Bold Coast Downeast, Route 201 to Jackman, the Pemaquid peninsula, and Grafton Notch near Bethel. The Park Loop Road is the best overall, Route 1 the classic coastal drive, and Route 17 the best mountain view. Each is covered below.

How we picked: we looked for drives worth taking for the scenery itself, not just as a way to get somewhere, and we spread the list across Acadia, the Midcoast, the western mountains, Downeast and the North Woods so there is a drive for every kind of trip. Drive times depend heavily on season and traffic, so treat our ranking as a guide to scenery, not a schedule.

Our quick picks:

• Best overall: the Park Loop Road in Acadia, a 27-mile loop
• Classic coastal drive: Route 1
• Best mountain view: Route 17 to the Height of Land
• Best remote coast: the Bold Coast, Route 191
• Best north-woods drive: Old Canada Road, Route 201, 78 miles
• Best short coastal drive: Pemaquid Point
• Best western-mountains drive: Grafton Notch, Route 26

Fall color usually shows up first in the north and the western mountains and later along the coast, so plan a foliage drive around the date, not the calendar year. See our Maine fall foliage drives for routes and timing.

1. The Park Loop Road (Acadia)

The Park Loop Road (Acadia) is the best scenic drive in Maine. This 27-mile loop through Acadia National Park takes in Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond, and the summit road up Cadillac Mountain. No other drive packs this much dramatic coastal scenery into a single loop.

You need an Acadia entrance pass, and part of the loop is one-way. Driving up Cadillac Mountain, which rises to 1,530 feet, takes a separate vehicle reservation in season: for 2026 the park required one from May 20 through October 25, at $6 per vehicle, booked online at Recreation.gov. Rules and dates change each year, so check the park’s reservation page. If you would rather not drive, the fare-free Island Explorer bus runs seasonally from late June to mid-October.

2. Route 1 Along the Coast

Route 1 Along the Coast is the classic Maine coastal drive. US Route 1 runs the length of the Maine coast, from the southern beaches through Camden, Rockland, and Belfast up to Downeast. It is the quintessential Maine road trip – working harbors, lobster shacks, and ocean views the whole way. Slow and often crowded in summer, but that is the point.

Expect slow stretches through busy village centers such as Wiscasset and Camden in July and August, and build in stops instead of trying to cover long distances in a day. Our most charming small towns and best coastal towns guides cover where to stop.

3. Route 17 to the Height of Land (Rangeley)

Route 17 to the Height of Land (Rangeley) is the best mountain-and-lake drive. The Height of Land overlook on Route 17 near Rangeley delivers what many consider the single finest view in New England – a sweeping panorama over Mooselookmeguntic Lake to the western mountains. Spectacular any season, unforgettable in fall.

Looking for the best water to visit? See our guide to the best lakes in Maine.

For directions, parking and when to go, see our full Height of Land guide.

The overlook is a roadside pullout rather than a park, so you can stop on your own schedule. Foliage on the high ground typically turns before the coast does, which makes the western mountains a good first stop for fall color.

4. The Bold Coast (Route 191, Downeast)

The Bold Coast (Route 191, Downeast) is the best remote coastal drive. Far Downeast near Cutler and Lubec, Route 191 traces a wild, rugged, uncrowded coastline of cliffs and spruce – the Maine coast as it was before tourism. Ends near West Quoddy Head, the easternmost point in the US.

Expect long gaps between gas stations and restaurants Downeast, so fill the tank and pack food before you leave the Machias area. The Cutler Coast Trail on our best hikes in Maine list is the best place to leave the car, and our Downeast road trip guide puts the Bold Coast in a longer route.

5. Route 201 (Old Canada Road) to Jackman

Route 201 (Old Canada Road) to Jackman is the best north-woods drive. This National Scenic Byway climbs through the western mountains and North Woods toward the Quebec border, following the Kennebec River past Wyman Lake with almost no traffic. Vast, wild, and beautiful.

The byway is 78 miles and takes about three hours without stops. It passes Solon, Bingham, Caratunk, The Forks and West Forks on the way to Jackman, and the Kennebec and Dead rivers meet at The Forks, a hub for whitewater rafting. Moxie Falls, near The Forks, makes a good stop; see our best waterfalls in Maine.

6. Pemaquid Point Peninsula

Pemaquid Point Peninsula is the best short coastal drive. The drive down the Pemaquid peninsula (Route 130) ends at one of Maine’s most beautiful lighthouses, perched on dramatic striated rock ledges. A perfect half-day scenic loop off Route 1.

Pemaquid Point Light stands on striated rock ledges and appears on Maine’s state quarter, and the former keeper’s house holds the Fishermen’s Museum. Hours and fees vary by season, so check before you go. For more lights along the coast, see our best lighthouses in Maine.

7. Grafton Notch (Route 26, Bethel)

Grafton Notch (Route 26, Bethel) is the best western-mountains drive. Route 26 through Grafton Notch State Park near Bethel passes waterfalls, gorges, and mountain views – Screw Auger Falls and Old Speck frame one of the prettiest mountain drives in the state.

Mother Walker Falls and Screw Auger Falls are short walks from Route 26, and the Appalachian Trail crosses the notch. The drive runs through Grafton Notch State Park, which is also on our best state parks in Maine list.

Best Scenic Drives in Maine: FAQ

What is the most scenic drive in Maine?

The Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park is the most scenic drive in Maine – a 27-mile loop past Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, and up Cadillac Mountain. Route 1 along the coast and Route 17 to the Height of Land near Rangeley are the next most scenic.

What is the best coastal drive in Maine?

US Route 1 is the classic Maine coastal drive, running the length of the coast through Camden, Rockland, and Belfast. For a wilder, more remote coastal drive, Route 191 along the Bold Coast Downeast is unmatched.

What is the best fall foliage drive in Maine?

Route 17 to the Height of Land near Rangeley is the best fall foliage drive in Maine, with sweeping mountain-and-lake views. See our Maine fall foliage drives guide for the full seasonal routes and timing.

Do you need a reservation to drive up Cadillac Mountain?

During the season, yes. A vehicle reservation is required only to drive Cadillac Summit Road, not for other parts of the park or if you arrive on foot, by bike or by taxi, and you also need a park entrance pass. For 2026 the reservation was $6 per vehicle and required from May 20 through October 25. Dates and prices change from year to year, so check the park’s website for the season you plan to visit.

Planning a longer trip? See our one-week Maine road trip itinerary, our Downeast road trip, and our best things to do in Maine. MaineGuide.com has been Maine’s resource guide since 1995.

More Maine guides: Most Beautiful Towns · Best Things to Do · Best Time to Visit · Prettiest Foliage Towns · Best Beaches · Best Coastal Towns · Best Lighthouses · Best Small Towns · Best Hikes · Most Charming Towns · Best State Parks · Best Seafood · Best Islands · Best Waterfalls · Best Fall Activities · Best Wildlife Watching

Our details come from the National Park Service and the Maine Department of Transportation byway description, checked in October 2026. Seasons, fees and road conditions change, so confirm before you drive.