Many times in my books, Rhe Brewster takes Route 1 to get to various places: Boston, Portland, Presque Isle. So it’s a natural for me to tell you about this scenic route.
U.S. Route 1 starts in Key West, Florida, making it the longest 
north-south road in the United States, and it is a major north–south state highway which serves the eastern part of Maine . It parallels the Atlantic from New Hampshire to Portland, Belfast to Calais, and then to the St. Croix River, Houlton and Fort Kent. The portion along the ocean, known as the coastal route, provides scenic views of the rugged Maine coast and lighthouses.
U.S. Route 1 has always been the premier tourist destination in the State of Maine. From 
Kittery, Route 1 follows the beautiful southern coastline all the way to Eastport, and then to Calais and then it turns and heads North through Danforth and an awesome million dollar view of East Grand Lake and heads through Presque Isle and on to the St. John Valley. All along the way, there are state parks, a national park, antique shops, historic forts and lighthouses, gift shops, and seafood restaurants, and so much more that I cannot list them all here.
Initially, way back when, US 1 south of Calais was part of the Atlantic Highway and became Route 1 when the New England road marking system was established in 1922. The northward continuation from Calais was later designated as part of Route 24; in 1925 Maine transferred to US 1 to a better-quality inland route between Bangor and Houlton. This changed in 1926, when the inland shortcut — now generally followed by Interstate 95, became part of US 2. US 1 was then assigned to the Bangor Bypass and became the coastal route. It must have been a confusing time to be driving in Maine!
Here’s just the tip of the iceberg of what you can see on US 1:
Saco – has the largest amusement and water park in Maine.
Kenneybunkport – Kennebunkport is best known for its popular summer
residents… President and First Lady George and Barbara Bush. Both Kennebunk and Kennebunkport offer a wealth of history, arts, hospitality and five long and beautiful sandy beaches.
Freeport – home of L.L. Bean and 120 upscale factory outlets.
Bar Harbor – gateway to Acadia National Park (see A in this series)
Boothbay Harbor – where we spend our vacations. Spectacular coast, kyacking, paddle boarding, sailing,
so 66 isn’t the only route for kicks, this one certainly can claim top spot..
and the views are stunning.
Another fine post, Noelle – Thank You once again
Big Hugs
john
Funny you should mention Rt 66 – I’ve always wanted to follow what was left of it! Thanks for following, John. We aim to please, so I hope the rest of the posts are as interesting!
We used to drive up and down Route 1 (and 1A) from NH into southern ME all the time when we lived in NH. The views are amazing. Kittery Point is fun to visit for the shopping but my favorite place was a lobster spot on Chauncy Creek. It was BYOeverything. All they sold steamed lobster and corn on the cob, but you got to eat right on water.
Sounds like a lobster place to add to our list. YUM!
I’m going to have to nod my head and smile and admit that all of this is new to me. I don’t know anything about the east coast of my own country, let alone that of USA.
No problem. We aren’t even teaching kids geography any more!
I was terrible at geography to begin with. 😛
It sounds like a lovely drive. In fact, I believe I was on it several years ago. 🙂
It is a great drive, but slow because it’s two lane and runs through towns with traffic.
This looks very pretty! I would love to travel it, just for the scenery 🙂
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary – Epics from A to Z
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Thanks for stopping by! If it weren’t for the fact it is two lane and runs through every town imaginable, I would, too!
Fab photos. One day we hope to visit the USA, using a campervan, so this could be useful! ~Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com
The country is so huge, I think you could do the east coast pretty well by trundling up the eastern seaboard on Rt. 1. Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve heard so much of Kenneybunkport, and now I get to read in detail here, from my very own expert friend. 🙂 Route 1 sounds fascinating, Noelle. One of these day, you’re going to have to write non-fiction, at least once. You’re amazing at gathering and presenting data in such great interesting detail.
I did a piece on lobsters for Coastal Style magazine – can’t remember when. It might be nice to do something on traveling US I, although I’m sure others have done it. Thanks for the compliment!
One of my favorite drives, especially north of Freeport up to Bar Harbor. Boothbay is also one of my favorite places, especially Ocean Point. So many great little lobster shacks that would rival the food in the best restaurants anywhere. Thanks for sharing one of the most beautiful places to visit in this country.
I agree on that drive! We might get to Bar Harbor this summer, but I have so many places to research, it could be difficult to squash it in. We love eating lobsters on the dock in Boothbay Hahbah!
I think I might have to do some research on seafood shacks through Maine. I wonder if I might be able to claim the expenses on my taxes…:)
What a fabulous idea! You could limit it to just lobsters, but then there are the delicious clams, and the oysters and the….
Thank you, Noelle, for stopping by my blog and the like. I love Maine and used to go there a lot when I was a little girl. I continued to go many summers for a week in Wells or Ogunquit on the Marginal Way. I haven’t been there in a while. Need to go back! It is just beautiful! Love your photos!
If you are a down Mainer, even part time, we definitely need to keep in contact!