I've driven the highways and back roads of Maine from southern to central Maine, as far north as Baxter State Park, the Moosehead Lake region and the Rangeley Lake region and from the coast to the White Mountains between Maine and New Hampshire. Here are my top 10 favorite routes to drive in those areas to see fall foliage, in no particular order:
- Route 1 from Bath to Brunswick (in both directions) is a short ride but very colorful at peak. For a longer drive, continue south on Route 95 from Brunswick to Yarmouth and back.
- Route 17 from Rockland to Augusta.
- Route 17 from Rumford to Rangeley: includes the stunning view from Height of Land, overlooking Mooselookmeguntic Lake.
- Route 22 from Portland to Route 35 in Bonny Eagle, then Route 35
north to Standish, continuing back to Portland on Route 25 East.
- Route 127 South from Bath through Arrowsic and Georgetown all the
way to Five Islands.
- Route 105 from Camden to Hope and North Appleton, then Route 131
North to Searsmont, then Appleton Ridge Road south to Route 131 in
Union, then Route 17 to Rockland.
- Route 3 all around Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island (Bar
Harbor), including going to the top of Cadillac Mountain.
- Route 27 from Farmington to Kingfield.
- Route 201 from Augusta to Waterville, Skowhegan, Solon and Bingham
to Jackman, near the Canadian border. This is one of the longer rides,
but it's well worth it. The Jackman area offers long vistas of mountains full
of color, and 201 spends a lot of time running along the mighty Kennebec
River.
- Route 15/6 north from Greenville along the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake to Rockwood (don't miss Mt. Kineo in Rockwood), continuing west on Route 15/6 to Jackman. On your return, take Route 201 to Augusta (see above). Before leaving Greenwood, drive up Squaw Mountain to Squaw Ski Resort for breathtaking views along the way and from the top, looking out over Moosehead Lake.
