Scenic Drives in Maine
Routes
60
Avg Distance
292 mi
Avg Drive
5h 44m
Destinations
36
Maine has 60 routes that score 7 or higher on our drive quality scale — roads where the scenery and terrain actually make the drive worth doing. Average distance: 292 miles.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$3.99/gal
Diesel: $4.80/gal
Typical trip cost
$35–$170
One-way, ~292 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~102 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-07-13
Climate through the year: Maine
Maine peaks at around 80°F in Jul and cools to 32°F / 16°F in Jan. Wettest month is Oct at ~5.3 in of rain.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 16 | 3.5 | 18.6 |
| Feb | 35 | 17 | 3.5 | 16.6 |
| Mar | 42 | 26 | 4.1 | 13.6 |
| Apr | 54 | 35 | 4.4 | 2.8 |
| May | 64 | 46 | 3.7 | — |
| Jun | 74 | 55 | 4.2 | — |
| Jul | 80 | 61 | 3.4 | — |
| Aug | 79 | 60 | 3.6 | — |
| Sep | 71 | 52 | 3.8 | — |
| Oct | 60 | 41 | 5.3 | 0.2 |
| Nov | 48 | 32 | 4.3 | 2.3 |
| Dec | 38 | 22 | 4.5 | 14.6 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for ME — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
- Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
- Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Scenic Routes
Dayton, ME → Chicago, IL
Through: Nashua New Hampshire → New York City
Van Buren, ME → Sanford, ME
Through: Brunswick
Biddeford, ME → Frenchville, ME
Through: Patten
York Beach, ME → Presque Isle, ME
Through: Portland
Biddeford, ME → Caribou, ME
Through: Presque Isle
Sanford, ME → Easton, ME
Through: Portland → Presque Isle
Caribou, ME → Saco, ME
Through: Brunswick
West Scarborough, ME → Limestone, ME
Through: Presque Isle
Caribou, ME → Gorham, ME
Through: Brunswick
Madawaska, ME → Auburn, ME
Caribou, ME → Scarborough, ME
Through: Brunswick
Caribou, ME → Westbrook, ME
Through: Brunswick
Caribou, ME → City of Portland, ME
Through: Brunswick
Portland, ME → Madawaska, ME
Through: Presque Isle
South Portland, ME → Caribou, ME
Through: Presque Isle
Presque Isle, ME → Saco, ME
Through: Brunswick
South Portland, ME → Washburn, ME
Through: Presque Isle
Fort Fairfield, ME → West Scarborough, ME
Through: Brunswick
Caribou, ME → Portland, ME
Through: Brunswick
Easton, ME → Biddeford, ME
Through: Brunswick
Scarborough, ME → Fort Fairfield, ME
Through: Presque Isle
Sanford, ME → Ashland, ME
Through: Augusta → Portland → Patten
Lewiston, ME → Van Buren, ME
Through: Waterville → Bangor → Presque Isle
Fort Fairfield, ME → South Portland Gardens, ME
Through: Brunswick
Caribou, ME → Falmouth, ME
Through: Brunswick
Presque Isle, ME → Scarborough, ME
Through: Brunswick
West Scarborough, ME → Easton, ME
Through: Presque Isle
Auburn, ME → Fort Kent, ME
Through: Patten
Scarborough, ME → Easton, ME
Through: Presque Isle
Brunswick, ME → Fort Kent, ME
Through: Patten
Presque Isle, ME → South Portland, ME
Through: Brunswick
South Portland, ME → Easton, ME
Through: Presque Isle
Falmouth, ME → Presque Isle, ME
Houlton, ME → Sanford, ME
Through: Brunswick
Mars Hill, ME → Scarborough, ME
Through: Brunswick
Auburn, ME → Caribou, ME
Through: Presque Isle
Brunswick, ME → Caribou, ME
Through: Presque Isle
Caribou, ME → Lewiston, ME
Washburn, ME → Auburn, ME
Biddeford, ME → Eastport, ME
Through: Brewer
Biddeford, ME → Houlton, ME
Presque Isle, ME → Brunswick, ME
Lewiston, ME → Easton, ME
Through: Waterville → Bangor → Presque Isle
Hodgdon, ME → South Portland Gardens, ME
Through: Brunswick
South Portland, ME → Hodgdon, ME
South Portland Gardens, ME → Eastport, ME
Through: Brewer
Lewiston, ME → Mars Hill, ME
Through: Waterville → Bangor → Presque Isle
Biddeford, ME → Calais, ME
Through: Brewer
Woodland, ME → Biddeford, ME
Through: Brunswick
West Scarborough, ME → Calais, ME
Through: Brewer
City of Portland, ME → Lubec, ME
Through: Belfast
Sanford, ME → Jonesport, ME
Through: Augusta → Portland → Belfast
Lubec, ME → South Portland, ME
Through: Waterville → Bangor → Kittery +1 more
City of Portland, ME → Calais, ME
Through: Brewer
Caribou, ME → Waterville, ME
Hodgdon, ME → Lewiston, ME
South Portland, ME → Calais, ME
Through: Brewer
Eastport, ME → Lewiston, ME
Portland, ME → Calais, ME
Through: Brewer
Sanford, ME → Medway, ME
Through: Augusta → Portland