Maine Road Trip

The Ultimate Maine Road Trip Guide: Routes, Food & Expert Planning

Your Perfect Maine Road Trip Starts Here

Welcome to Maine, “Vacationland.” It’s not just a slogan on a license plate; it’s a promise. This is a state built for adventurers, explorers, and anyone who believes the best way to see a place is with a full tank of gas and an open agenda. (Hint: public transit options are limited in most parts of the state, so driving is typically to get around).

A Maine road trip is a classic American experience. It’s the scent of salty air mixing with pine. It’s pulling over for a lobster roll at a roadside shack that hasn’t changed in 50 years. It’s cresting a hill to a jaw-dropping overlook of mountains and lakes. It’s also winding, two-lane roads, spotting a moose at dusk, and realizing just how big this beautiful state truly is.

As a Maine-based travel planner, I’ve spent years exploring every scenic byway and coastal village. I built this guide for you to use as a starting point to plan your own adventure, but if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by all the options… feel free to send me an email.

For now, let’s hit the road.

Find Your Perfect Route: Maine’s Top Road Trips

Maine is too big to tackle all at once. The best approach is to pick a region and explore it well. Here are my top-recommended routes, from the world-famous coast to the quiet wilderness.

Maine road trip map showing route along US 1 from Kittery to Bar Harbor

1. The Classic Coast: U.S. Route 1

  • Best For: First-timers, lighthouse lovers, and seafood fanatics.
  • The Route: Kittery/Portland to Bar Harbor. If you are driving from the south you would start in Kittery. If you are driving from any other direction or flying, I might suggest starting this route in Portland.
  • Details: This is the Maine you’ve seen on postcards. You’ll hop from one charming town to the next, with the ocean in your sights most of the time. On the southern coast you will pass through sandy beaches in places like Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, or Scarborough and then spend some time in Maine’s biggest city, the foodie paradise of Portland. As you head north, the coast gets more rugged and rocky. Explore the coastal gems of Rockland and Belfast, before using Bar Harbor as your gateway to the stunning Acadia National Park or just a great downtown area experience.
  • Top sights: Portland Head Light (Cape Elizabeth), the Rockland Breakwater (Rockland), and Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. 
  • What towns should you stop in? I have highlighted 4 potential stopping points either for checking out further or staying the night. Of course, there are many other towns along this path that you could spend hours or days exploring. The 4 locations along this route are Portland, Rockland, Belfast, and Bar Harbor. In each of these you will find multiple lodging options and plenty of dining variety. For activities, these coastal cities have water recreation, including whale-watching tours, sailing, ferry rides, and fishing, in addition to arts and cultural options such as museums, shops, and shows.
Maine road trip map showing route along US 2 from Bethel to Bangor

2. Western Lakes & Mountains: U.S. Route 2

  • Best For: Fall foliage, stunning vistas, and escaping the crowds.
  • The Route: Bethel to Bangor
  • Details: When Mainers want to “get away,” this is often where they go. This trip swaps salty air for the scent of pine and balsam fir. See mountains, trees for miles and have unlimited opportunity for hiking, biking, skiing, ATVing, and leaf-peeping. Just north of Bethel you will find Screw Auger Falls and Mother Walker Falls just a short walk from the road – a beautiful area of rocks, streams, and waterfalls. As you travel east, you will come through Rumford, Wilton, and Farmington, all areas which are worth stopping in to explore their industrial histories and the other shops and restaurants catering to travelers. Beyond that you will pass through Skowhegan (which has an awesome gear lending library for anyone wanting to do outdoor recreation) and Newport, on your way to Bangor. In Bangor, there is much to explore and see including some popular spots like the Paul Bunyan statue or Stephen King’s house (yes, there are really bats and spooky creatures built into the fences and visible from the sidewalk).
  • What towns should you stop in? The stops along this Maine road trip route are: Bethel, Farmington, Skowhegan, and Bangor. All of these have downtown areas that are charming and walkable. Besides Bangor, these other stops may have more limited dining options to suit your tastes, but there are lodging accommodations and enough activities and places to explore if you decide to stop for the night. You will find plenty of managed hiking trails and camping sites along this route, as well as winter recreational options, depending on the season you are in.