Maine hwy 201 Waterville to N. been there? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

inbanshi · #1 12-20-2004, 10:39 AM

Has anyone driven this highway from Waterville north, going towards Quebec city? What is the road like? Good regular plowing?

I have to go up north, and this is the likely route I will take, but wondering about the road and weather...

TwitchKitty · #2 12-20-2004, 12:24 PM

It's a good road and well maintained for a road in rural Maine. It follows a river for many miles and so is a steady grade on that section. There is heavy recreational traffic on weekends and there are some interesting hangouts along the way.

You can probably do better on exchange before you leave or use a CC and/or an ATM in Canada, some are better than others. Don't use US dollars in Canada, the exchange is not as skewed as it was, but still.

Fill up with fuel as close to the border as you can, prices almost double across the line. Carry a spare tank if you have room. It is still a long way after you cross the border.

Take identification, once I went with only my pilot's license (no picture). The Canadians thought it was funny and were laughing in anticipation of the reaction of the US border guards on my return. They said the US has to let you back in without ID, it is law.

Speed limits tend to be low on the the other side but the highways more often pass the towns instead of going through the center of town so you still make good time.

It's a good trip, you should like it. I liked Ottawa best of the cities in North America. Quebec may be prettier, just going by looks.

inbanshi · #3 12-20-2004, 04:18 PM

Thanks for the great info. Fortunately, I can make it the distance of Ogunquit to Quebec round trip easily on one tank. I have been to Quebec before, but never in any part of Maine thats not a few miles from I95. I am looking forward to the drive.

djugurba · #4 12-20-2004, 04:31 PM

the Moose crossing signs are not kidding. clean your headlights, and don't look down to change the radio. Maine is great about keeping roads clear, but they also have a self-reliance ethic. You get yourself in trouble, you'd better be prepared to get yourself out.. Every year brings new stories of people found dead over a ditch in their car after the spring thaw. A basic survival kit is adviseable, as the population is sparse up there, and if you do have trouble, you might not see many people for a while. mylar emergency blanket, few powerbars, water, etc.

Gorgeous road! enjoy
k

KirkVining · #5 12-20-2004, 05:34 PM

Also, a bag of sand from Home depot, and a shovel. Box of kitchen matches. A small bottle of peppermint snapps - the stuff is like Prestone. A "mountain" sleeping bag. Your most likely major emergency event it going to be losing control of your car in a blizzard and going off on the shoulder or going down an embankment. You have to survive until a snow plow comes or until the weather clears and cars return the road. Minor emergency is just geting stuck, hence the sand and shovel. BTW- Quebec City from Ogunquit is a real out-in-the-boonies ride. No fooling on the moose. I'd say a better alternate Route is to take a 93 up there, but then you'll just hit the real boonie roads in Southern Quebec.

inbanshi · #6 12-26-2004, 10:31 AM

Thanks for the information everyone.

The ride was really nice. It was in the low teens most places, so there was a little ice on the roads in a few spots, but the road was very well maintained for the most part. Same on the Canadian side.

The route passes through the northern end of the Appalachain mountians. I had beed to parts of those mountains in every other state in the US. It was nice to finally see them in Maine. The road went along a mostly frozen river and provided some great views.

I made it the just over 600 mile trip on a tank, but got poor (30) mileage due to the wind and hills.