Driving to Maine

[deathtopumpkins]

I'll be heading up the Maine coast (to just east of Bar Harbor) in about 2 weeks, and have free reign of the roads. While I've already finalized my basic route (95 -> 295 -> 1 and then 1 -> 1A -> 395 -> 95 on the way back - although I may shunpike the turnpike if time allows) I am still open to some detours to see interesting stuff. I plan on, as time allows, making side trips to Acadia National Park and north to the 75 mph zone on 95.
If anyone knows of anything of interest along that route or has anything they want me to check on (i.e. old signs that might have been replaced) please, let me know!

[KEVIN_224]

Exit 36 of I-95 (Maine Turnpike) is I-195 East in Saco. That would take you to ME Route 5 and into Old Orchard Beach. However, since it's a resort town, you won't see much there until at least May. Even their Amtrak service is only seasonal.

[deathtopumpkins]

Yeah I've driven through OOB before. I'm pretty familiar with southern Maine (below and west of Portland), but this is my first trip north of there.

[Ian]

US 1 north of Portland is a very fun drive with plenty to see along the way. Here are some of the things that might be worth taking a look at...

-The L.L. Bean headquarters in Freeport.
-The Maine Idyll Motor Court just north of Freeport has this old neon sign.
-Brunswick is a neat town to drive through, you can take Pleasant Street east to ME 24 and follow that past the old Brunswick NAS and get back onto US 1 in Cooks' Corner.
-Old US 1 (Bath Road) between Cooks' Corner and Bath has several old signs, including an old black and white county line sign at the Cumberland/Sagadahoc County line (where the road crosses the New Meadows River).
-If you have some time to kill, you can take ME 209 south from Bath (which itself is a nice little town) and go check out Fort Popham (every summer, my family and I stay at a really nice resort not too far from there).
-You'll be driving through it on US 1, but Wiscasset is another nice small town, with a famous lobster shack (Red's Eats) that causes a giant traffic jam on US 1 during the Summer months.
-Another town you might want to see if you have time to kill is Boothbay Harbor, which is down ME 27.
-Business US 1 in Newcastle/Damariscotta has plenty of old signs like this and this. You also might be interested in driving down ME 130 to see the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.
-Moody's Diner and Gift Shop at the intersection of US 1 and ME 220 in Waldoboro is definitely worth a quick stop-by. You can even try a Moxie.
-Rockland is also another neat town you can drive through, and the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is pretty cool.
-The new(ish) Penobscot Narrows Bridge near Bucksport is really pretty cable-stayed bridge on US 1/ME 3.

Hope this helps!

[1995hoo]

If your travel takes you to or through Portland, do not take Exit 44 (the I-295 exit). Instead, go half a mile further to Exit 45, which is marked for the Maine Mall. Exit there and go maybe half a mile to the east and you'll see a loop-around ramp on your right for I-295. Take that ramp.

The reason for this is that Exit 44 carries a $1.00 toll but Exit 45 is toll-free. I'm not obsessed with shunpike routes, but when going a mere half a mile to a mile out of your way avoids the toll and doesn't even involve hitting any traffic lights, it's crazy not to do it.

See map link.

This only works on the northbound trip, BTW. When you go south you have to pay to enter the Turnpike regardless of which entrance you choose.


In terms of places to stop, the original LL Bean store in Freeport is usually worth a visit. It blows away the small stores they have elsewhere. Also, we have some family friends in East Sullivan (near Bar Harbor but on the mainland) who tell us that it's better to buy liquor in New Hampshire than in Maine if you need to do so–in fact they drive all the way down to the New Hampshire state store at the Portsmouth Traffic Circle rather than buying it locally. That's a 200-mile drive each way.

I believe the new cable-stayed Penobscot Narrows Bridge on US-1 that replaced the rickety old Waldo—Hancock Bridge has an observation deck INSIDE one of the towers. For a roadgeek trip I'd consider that a must-visit if it's open when you're there. (I have not been that way since the new bridge opened and I don't know what the hours are.)

[deathtopumpkins]

US 1 north of Portland is a very fun drive with plenty to see along the way. Here are some of the things that might be worth taking a look at...

-The L.L. Bean headquarters in Freeport.
-The Maine Idyll Motor Court just north of Freeport has this old neon sign.
-Brunswick is a neat town to drive through, you can take Pleasant Street east to ME 24 and follow that past the old Brunswick NAS and get back onto US 1 in Cooks' Corner.

Tempting, since I would assume this was the old alignment of US 1 before the expressway to the north was built, but I really want to see the Black Bridge (at least I think that's what it's called - it's the one-lane bridge that's suspended below a railroad trestle) that's right off the new US 1 alignment.

-Old US 1 (Bath Road) between Cooks' Corner and Bath has several old signs, including an old black and white county line sign at the Cumberland/Sagadahoc County line (where the road crosses the New Meadows River).

Now that might just be worth getting off route 1 for.

-If you have some time to kill, you can take ME 209 south from Bath (which itself is a nice little town) and go check out Fort Popham (every summer, my family and I stay at a really nice resort not too far from there).

Looks like a scenic drive. Definitely a potential if I'm not behind schedule.

-You'll be driving through it on US 1, but Wiscasset is another nice small town, with a famous lobster shack (Red's Eats) that causes a giant traffic jam on US 1 during the Summer months.
-Another town you might want to see if you have time to kill is Boothbay Harbor, which is down ME 27.

Looks like another scenic drive. Same as for ME 209.
Though I may end up saving some of these for future trips, because I'm sure there will be plenty.

-Business US 1 in Newcastle/Damariscotta has plenty of old signs like this and this. You also might be interested in driving down ME 130 to see the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.
-Moody's Diner and Gift Shop at the intersection of US 1 and ME 220 in Waldoboro is definitely worth a quick stop-by. You can even try a Moxie.

The lighthouse I'm definitely going to save because my mother wants to tag along on lighthouse trip(s), but the diner sounds like a good place to stop for lunch!

-Rockland is also another neat town you can drive through, and the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is pretty cool.
-The new(ish) Penobscot Narrows Bridge near Bucksport is really pretty cable-stayed bridge on US 1/ME 3.

I believe the new cable-stayed Penobscot Narrows Bridge on US-1 that replaced the rickety old Waldo—Hancock Bridge has an observation deck INSIDE one of the towers. For a roadgeek trip I'd consider that a must-visit if it's open when you're there. (I have not been that way since the new bridge opened and I don't know what the hours are.)

I would kill to stop at the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, as it is one of the reasons I chose this route, but the observation tower appears not to open until May so I'll have to settle for driving across it.

If your travel takes you to or through Portland, do not take Exit 44 (the I-295 exit). Instead, go half a mile further to Exit 45, which is marked for the Maine Mall. Exit there and go maybe half a mile to the east and you'll see a loop-around ramp on your right for I-295. Take that ramp.

The reason for this is that Exit 44 carries a $1.00 toll but Exit 45 is toll-free. I'm not obsessed with shunpike routes, but when going a mere half a mile to a mile out of your way avoids the toll and doesn't even involve hitting any traffic lights, it's crazy not to do it.

See map link.

This only works on the northbound trip, BTW. When you go south you have to pay to enter the Turnpike regardless of which entrance you choose.

That's the route I was planning to take, but I think I might just do Exit 44 and pay the $1.00 toll so I can have fully clinched I-295. Not sure, I haven't decided yet.

In terms of places to stop, the original LL Bean store in Freeport is usually worth a visit. It blows away the small stores they have elsewhere.

So I've heard. I have a friend from South Portland who is obsessed with that store.

Also, we have some family friends in East Sullivan (near Bar Harbor but on the mainland) who tell us that it's better to buy liquor in New Hampshire than in Maine if you need to do so–in fact they drive all the way down to the New Hampshire state store at the Portsmouth Traffic Circle rather than buying it locally. That's a 200-mile drive each way.

Heh, thanks for the tip but that won't be an issue, since A) I'm driving the entire time and B) I'm not quite legally old enough to purchase alcohol yet.

Thanks for your suggestions, guys. If I don't end up doing any of these stops this trip there's always the next one, because I really like the state of Maine and will try to be back many times.

[KEVIN_224]

1995HOO is indeed correct! Concord Coach Lines does that same shunpike bit all the time when heading into South Portland and Portland from Boston.

As for north of Portland, have you ever been to the Maine State House (capitol)? Soon after the Maine Turnpike portion of I-95 ends, there's Exit 109 (US 202/ME Routes 11, 17 and 100) for Western Avenue. Head east on that for a couple of miles. Once you hit the rotary, head right onto State Street (US Route 201/ME Route 27). The Blaine House (governor's residence) is on the right side. The capitol dome will be right in front of you.

[OracleUsr]

I thought the Rockland Breakwater lighthouse was a bit of a disappointment.  You have to walk along an uneven, rocky pier out to the lighthouse, and then you can't very easily take pictures of it.

[Beeper1]

A few miles south of Brunswick on ME-24 is the world's only cribstone construction bridge.  It connects Bailey Island to the mainland and alows the tide to pass through the structure.

[deathtopumpkins]

Now that is something I would definitely want to see!

[1995hoo]

....

If your travel takes you to or through Portland, do not take Exit 44 (the I-295 exit). Instead, go half a mile further to Exit 45, which is marked for the Maine Mall. Exit there and go maybe half a mile to the east and you'll see a loop-around ramp on your right for I-295. Take that ramp.

The reason for this is that Exit 44 carries a $1.00 toll but Exit 45 is toll-free. I'm not obsessed with shunpike routes, but when going a mere half a mile to a mile out of your way avoids the toll and doesn't even involve hitting any traffic lights, it's crazy not to do it.

See map link.

This only works on the northbound trip, BTW. When you go south you have to pay to enter the Turnpike regardless of which entrance you choose.

That's the route I was planning to take, but I think I might just do Exit 44 and pay the $1.00 toll so I can have fully clinched I-295. Not sure, I haven't decided yet.....

The clinching aspect is why I mentioned the difference on the southbound route. Since you have to pay the toll regardless of which entrance you use, the southbound trip is the time to go through there if you're seeking a clinch, unless of course you have in mind to use different routes in each direction for other clinch purposes (perfectly understandable when the purpose of your trip is roadgeeking–whereas last time I was in that area, we were going to and from the Cat Ferry to Nova Scotia and the Portland driving was after/before the 10-hour drive from/to home, so scenic detours were not in the cards).

[deathtopumpkins]

Yup, I'm planning on sticking to the Turnpike southbound so as to clinch it rather than duplicating the drive on 295 through Portland.

Honestly though, I think I may just call this one close-enough. I mean is there really anything interesting I'd miss seeing on that tiny stretch of 295?

[NE2]

Honestly though, I think I may just call this one close-enough. I mean is there really anything interesting I'd miss seeing on that tiny stretch of 295?

A toll booth.

[Ian]

Honestly though, I think I may just call this one close-enough. I mean is there really anything interesting I'd miss seeing on that tiny stretch of 295?

A toll booth.

And an emergency signal.

[deathtopumpkins]

Honestly though, I think I may just call this one close-enough. I mean is there really anything interesting I'd miss seeing on that tiny stretch of 295?

A toll booth.

Naw, really?
That was a very insightful comment. I feel so much more knowledgeable after reading it. Thank you!

[Alps]

Honestly though, I think I may just call this one close-enough. I mean is there really anything interesting I'd miss seeing on that tiny stretch of 295?

A toll booth.

Naw, really?
That was a very insightful comment. I feel so much more knowledgeable after reading it. Thank you!

Wow, that was a very sincere reply. I feel like you contributed so much to this thread by posting it. Thank you!

[deathtopumpkins]

Honestly though, I think I may just call this one close-enough. I mean is there really anything interesting I'd miss seeing on that tiny stretch of 295?

A toll booth.

Naw, really?
That was a very insightful comment. I feel so much more knowledgeable after reading it. Thank you!

Wow, that was a very sincere reply. I feel like you contributed so much to this thread by posting it. Thank you!

Considering that this is a thread that I started to ask for input on something and get suggestions from other people on the forum, I feel like I am well entitled to complain about stupid comments like that, especially considering who it came from and how much he contributed. 

[Alps]

Honestly though, I think I may just call this one close-enough. I mean is there really anything interesting I'd miss seeing on that tiny stretch of 295?

A toll booth.

Naw, really?
That was a very insightful comment. I feel so much more knowledgeable after reading it. Thank you!

Wow, that was a very sincere reply. I feel like you contributed so much to this thread by posting it. Thank you!

Considering that this is a thread that I started to ask for input on something and get suggestions from other people on the forum, I feel like I am well entitled to complain about stupid comments like that, especially considering who it came from and how much he contributed. 

And the answer is that you're missing very little. Besides the toll booth, signal, and clinching 295, that's it. So it's not exactly snarky. It's not like there's a water park with a loop-de-loop there.

[NE2]

Well, you know, there could be a giant pumpkin off the the side.

[Mts83]

I'm kinda surprised nobody has mentioned the Delorme Map store in Yarmouth... its RIGHT off exit 17 from I-295 on US-1. Eartha, the worlds largest and revolving rotating globe is there, along with an awesome map store containing all of Delorme's products as well as Maine-area topos etc. Its definitely worth a stop!

Further north, there's definitely a lot of old signage along/off US-1 and Coastal US-1 going east of Ellsworth. If you have time make sure you check out Quoddy Head (in some ways even more impressive than Acadia!) to see the easternmost point of the US monument and lighthouse, as well as Gullivers Hole (theres some reversing falls in this area as well). If you take a drive up US-1 from ME-189 you'll hit the 45N "halfway to the Northpole/Equator" monument on the side of US-1 which is also pretty cool. Already mentioned, the Penobscot-Narrows bridge is definitely a must-see, as is the old Waldo-Hancock bridge running right next to it. The bridge is slated for demolition this summer, so it might be one of the last chances to see it, it has a lot of character. There's a little area to pull into on the south side of the bridge that allows you to get a good view of the span. There's really no shortage of stuff to do...

[deathtopumpkins]

Honestly though, I think I may just call this one close-enough. I mean is there really anything interesting I'd miss seeing on that tiny stretch of 295?

A toll booth.

Naw, really?
That was a very insightful comment. I feel so much more knowledgeable after reading it. Thank you!

Wow, that was a very sincere reply. I feel like you contributed so much to this thread by posting it. Thank you!

Considering that this is a thread that I started to ask for input on something and get suggestions from other people on the forum, I feel like I am well entitled to complain about stupid comments like that, especially considering who it came from and how much he contributed.  

And the answer is that you're missing very little. Besides the toll booth, signal, and clinching 295, that's it. So it's not exactly snarky. It's not like there's a water park with a loop-de-loop there.

See, that's all I wanted to know. I didn't expect "a water park with a loop-de-loop", but I quite obviously knew there was a toll booth there. What I didn't know was that maybe, for example, there was some really old sign after the toll booth or something, so I figured I would ask to make sure, not realizing that certain people just aren't capable of genuine polite replies.

And Mts83, thank you, I MUST stop at the Delomre store, and those types of things you pointed out were just the things I wanted to know about. I'll probably try and snag pictures of things like the Halfway to the North Pole sign.

[Ian]

I'm kinda surprised nobody has mentioned the Delorme Map store in Yarmouth... its RIGHT off exit 17 from I-295 on US-1. Eartha, the worlds largest and revolving rotating globe is there, along with an awesome map store containing all of Delorme's products as well as Maine-area topos etc. Its definitely worth a stop!

How did I miss this? I've passed by the store every year when I go up to Maine and never had the chance to stop in. I might have to do it this summer.