List of auto trails in Maine

Auto trails in Maine
Map
Maine's early highway system
System information
Maintained by MaineDOT
Highway names
InterstatesInterstate x (abbreviated I-X)
US HighwaysU.S. Route x (abbreviated US-X)
StateState Route x or Route x (abbreviated SR X)
Lettered routesRoute x
System links

Maine was one of the first states to mark their state highway system. From 1914 to 1925, Maine used a system of lettered highways to designate cross-state routes. This system was the first of its kind in the United States coordinated by a single state,[citation needed] predating Wisconsin's system by three years.[citation needed] In 1919, this system was supplanted by a series of auto trails officially created by the State Highway Commission, though it is unclear as to whether this system completely supplanted the lettering system. Both systems were abandoned by 1925 in favor of the New England interstate highway system.[citation needed]

List

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In 1919, the Maine Automobile Association and the Maine State Highway Commission collaborated to create a series of state-designated auto trails. The system posed a stark contrast to the auto trail systems of other states, which were often private endeavors, with improvements by these booster organizations ranging from simple marked poles to paving and maintenance of the road. It is unclear which routes listed below existed at what times.

Route Colors From Through To Lettered route Replacement (1925) Modern designation Notes
Atlantic Highway Blue New Hampshire Line Kittery, Wells, Kennebunk, Scarborough, Portland, Yarmouth, Brunswick, Bath, Wiscasset, Waldoboro, Rockland, Belfast, Searsport, Bangor, Ellsworth, Hancock, Millbridge, Jonesboro, Machias, Dennysville, Perry, Robbinston Calais A, C, D, L, M, N Route 1 US 1
Longfellow Highway Yellow New Hampshire Line Bethel, Bryant Pond, West Paris, South Paris, Norway, Poland, Gray Portland O, S Route 15 US 2, SR 26
Theodore Roosevelt International Highway White

Red

White

New Hampshire Line Fryeburg, Bridgton, Naples, Raymond, North Windham, Highland Lake Portland B Route 18 U.S. 302
Grafton Notch Highway White

Yellow

New Hampshire Line Upton, Newry Bethel T, O Route 26 US 2
International Trail Red Brunswick Gardiner, Augusta, Waterville, Skowhegan, Norridgewock, Anson, Solon, Caratunk Plt, Jackman Station Canada (Québec) Line Q, H Route 20 U.S. 201, U.S. 201A
Aroostock Trail White

Blue

Fairfield Clinton, Pittsfield, Newport, Bangor, Old Town Lincoln I, K Route 100, 15, (24) US 2, (US 1) 1923: Extended to Houlton, then Mars Hill, Presque Isle, Caribou, Van Buren, Madawaska to Canada (New Brunswick) Line
Capital Way Blue

White

Portland Lewiston Augusta E Route 100 SR 100, US 202
Kennebec-Penobscot Trail Orange

White

Augusta South China, Liberty, Searsmont, Belmont Belfast R Route 102 US 202, SR 3
Mount Desert Trail Yellow

White

Ellsworth Hulls Cove Bar Harbor M Route 183 SR 183, SR 3
Brunswick-Greenville Highway Green

White

Newport Dexter, Dover, Guilford, Abbott, Monson Greenville J Route 104 SR 7, SR 23, SR 6
Poland Springs-White Mountain Trail Green Naples Casco, Poland Mechanic's Falls Route 116 SR 111

References

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