Best Scenic Drives to See Fall Foliage in Maine
Photo: Robert Jones via Pixabay
The Pine Tree State delivers rewarding autumnal views. Escape the daily grind and immerse yourself in fall backdrops when you take one of these scenic drives with your partner or a couple of friends.
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Katahdin Moosehead Trip
Catch a glimpse of Moosehead Lake, the state’s largest lake, while taking in the gorgeous fall color. If you’re lucky you might see a moose or bear that calls this area home.
Maine Living suggests a six-hour route that includes the lake, as well as Moxie Falls and Mount Kineo. Start your journey in Skowhegan on Route 201, then take Route 15 toward Jackman. You’ll then take Routes 7, 2, and 151 to the lake part of the drive before taking Route 150 back to Skowhegan.
Midcoast Maine Coastal Drive
For a three-hour drive along the coast, start and end your route in Wiscasset. Per Maine Living, take Route 1 to Newscastle, then Routes 130 and Route 32 as you head north. You’ll then follow Routes 220, 97, and 1 to backtrack toward Camden and near where you started the drive.
Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway
Take a 52-mile joy ride through the central-western part of the state to enjoy stunning fall color complemented by the blue hue of the Rangeley Lakes area. Besides hiking, you can also kayak, boat, bike, camp, and fish to enhance your day trip.
Baxter State Park
Sprawling over about 200,000 acres, Baxter State Park boasts quintessential New England fall foliage that you won’t want to miss. With forests, mountains, creeks, and waterfalls, the varied geography will keep your hikes exciting. Feel free to bring a dog since the park trails are pet-friendly, per All The Rooms contributor Rebecca Pittore.
Belgrade Lakes Drive
For a 3.5-hour excursion, Maine Living suggests starting in Augusta and taking Route 201. The route weaves through Winthrop and the Belgrade Lakes regions for breathtaking scenery. Once you’ve taken enough pictures to satisfy your love for fall color, take Route 27 back toward your journey’s start in Augusta.
Make your fall drives thrillingly creepy when you listen to one of these spooky podcasts. And refresh yourself on how to safely handle autumn driving challenges you might encounter on these Maine routes.
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Whitney Russell resides in Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her “beaver” of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. See more articles by Whitney.