The Strangest Road Names in Maine and How They Got Them
Traveling through Maine, you might find yourself chuckling or scratching your head at some of the odd road names that pepper the map. Take a drive to Freeport, about 20 miles north of Portland, where you’ll find “L.L. Bean’s Boot Road.” While not officially marked, locals use this nickname for the stretch leading toward the iconic L.L. Bean flagship store. It’s a nod to the city’s retail heritage, immortalizing the outdoor gear that’s practically synonymous with Maine. Strolling through the Freeport Outlets and the nearby Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park trailhead, you’ll understand how rugged outdoor adventure culture meets quirky local humor. Fall is an especially magical time here when the foliage turns fiery red and orange, contrasting beautifully with the coastal breeze.
Travel farther north to Millinocket, roughly 70 miles northwest of Bangor, and you might encounter “Twisted River Road,” a winding route that follows the Penobscot River’s meanders. This road really lives up to its name, twisting sharply alongside the water as you near the entrance to Baxter State Park. The park’s Knife Edge trail, a challenging 5-mile loop that climbs to Mount Katahdin’s summit, offers some of the most dramatic wilderness hikes in Maine. Here, the road’s odd moniker reflects the landscape’s wild, untamed nature. Summer mornings are perfect for this area—cool, misty, and alive with birdcalls—setting a mystical mood that explains the road’s serpentine identity.
In Bar Harbor, on Mount Desert Island about three hours northeast of Portland, you’ll discover “Bubble Rock Road,” a tiny lane leading toward Acadia National Park’s famed Bubble Rock boulder. This glacial erratic perched precariously on the edge of South Bubble Mountain is a favorite hike destination. The Bubble Rock Trail is an easy 1.5-mile round-trip offering panoramic views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains. The road’s funny name captures the playful spirit of the area, a quirky entrance to a landscape shaped by glaciers and time. Autumn, when Acadia’s forests explode in color, provides the most breathtaking backdrop for this jaunt.
Further inland near the town of Rangeley, about 80 miles northwest of Augusta, the “Moose Alley” road lives up to its name in more ways than one. Driving this route through the Rangeley Lakes region, visitors often spot moose grazing in the wetlands. The area is a hotspot for wildlife photography and fishing, with several trailheads for moose-watching hikes like the Bald Mountain Trail. At 2.1 miles round-trip, this moderate hike rewards visitors with sweeping views of the lakes and forests—a perfect vantage point for spotting the elusive animals that inspired the road’s name. Early morning or twilight in late spring through early fall is the best time to catch moose activity here.
On the coast near Rockland, roughly 70 miles northeast of Portland, lies “Foggy Lane,” a small, winding street tucked into the city’s historic district. Rockland’s maritime climate often blankets this area in dense fog, giving the road an eerie, mysterious vibe. It’s a short walk from the Farnsworth Art Museum, home to an impressive collection of American art with a focus on Maine’s coast and culture. Walking Foggy Lane at dawn or dusk connects you to the atmospheric conditions that have inspired countless painters and writers. The interplay of fog and historic architecture creates a scene that’s hauntingly beautiful and distinctly Maine.
In the town of Lubec, the easternmost point in the United States, about 110 miles east of Bangor, you’ll find “Screaming Billy Road.” The name’s origin is debated, but local lore tells of a lighthouse keeper’s whistle echoing across the water during fierce Atlantic storms. Nearby, the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse stands as a stoic sentinel at the edge of the continent, offering tours and sweeping views of the Bay of Fundy’s dramatic tides. Summer and early fall bring clearer skies and calmer seas, ideal for ferry rides to nearby Campobello Island, just across the border in Canada. The road’s eerie name perfectly captures the wild, windswept spirit of this remote coastal landscape.
Back near Portland, in the quaint town of Cape Elizabeth, “Two Lights Road” leads visitors to Two Lights State Park, named after the twin lighthouses that once stood sentinel on the rocky coast. The park offers easy coastal trails, picnic spots, and dramatic ocean views at the meeting point of Casco Bay and the open Atlantic. The road’s name recalls the maritime heritage woven into the town’s identity. Winter brings crashing waves and dramatic skies, a favorite for photographers and solitary walkers seeking a rugged sea experience that feels far from urban bustle.
Finally, near the small mountain town of Bethel, about 70 miles northwest of Portland, “Hell’s Corner Road” snakes through dense woods and quiet farmland. The name has a shadowy past tied to local legends about tough terrain and spirited settlers. Not far from here, the Sunday River Ski Resort offers world-class slopes in winter and invigorating hiking trails in summer, like the Moderate White Mountain Trail, known for its wild blueberries and scenic vistas of the Mahoosuc Range. The rugged landscape around Hell’s Corner Road invites outdoor enthusiasts year-round, blending mystery with natural beauty.
Each of these oddly named roads in Maine offers more than just a quirky moniker. They serve as gateways to some of the state’s most memorable landscapes, historic sites, and cultural touchstones. Driving these routes is like traveling through chapters of Maine’s story—where nature, history, and local lore converge in the most unexpected ways. Whether winding beside a river, climbing a mountain, or skirting the Atlantic’s edge, these roads beckon curious travelers to explore the rich tapestry of places that make Maine uniquely enchanting.