In the original determination for choosing the roadpath route, the requirements were simple: (1) The roadpath must be a hard surface road; (2) The roadpath must be contiguous across the entire route, (3) The roadpath must not be an Interstate Highway (or any highway which would exclude bicycles) and (4) The roadpath route, in describing the "Northern" and/or "Northernmost" Highways, has as a definition, those highways which remain within the United States nearest to the USA/CAN border without crossing into Canada.

This contiguous roadpath traverses a distance of 4,872 miles, with the western terminus end at the Cape Flattery Trailhead in Neah Bay, Washington, a foot path to the northern most lighthouse in Washington and the eastern terminus end at the West Quoddy Head where a lighthouse of the same name is located and this point is the easternmost point in the United States.

This is a brand new National Scenic Byway, one which has its origin found within my personal desire to travel (as a recreational passage) across the top of the United States. In the fall of 2025, I left the west coast of Washington state headed eastbound on this roadpath with the desire to drive and document the route, recording the specific highways traveled, as well as locations for camping and/or overnighting. I was only able to drive to the state of Minnesota before the temperatures plummeted to near freeze at night, causing me to turn right and drive south to a warmer region (south Texas) for the winter.

Then, in the middle of February 2026, with the temperatures in south Texas soaring into the eighties, I departed my winter hiatus to begin my northbound Journey On™ through North America, traveling east by northeast through the Interior Lowlands Region, then into the Appalachian Mountains Region where I turned northeast into and through New England to the eastern terminus of this new National Scenic Byway, is the easternmost point in the lower 48 states, a coastal lighthouse know as West Quoddy Head Lighthouse located not far from the town of Lubec, Maine, from whence I will begin the logistical eastbound drive of the North Tier Route.

Traveling westbound, upon leaving West Quoddy Head, the Northern Tier Route (NTR) leaves the lighthouse property on South Lubec Road heading west at first, then north and continues north until this road t′s into SH 189 (Lubec Road), which, at this intersection the NTR turns left onto SH 189 and continue in a southwest direction until arriving in Whiting, Maine where this state highway t′s into US Highway 1 (US 1).

Next, the NTR turns right onto US 1 (South River Road in Whiing, Maine) and continue northbound on US 1 for another 254 miles until arriving at the US 1, first mile monument (47.24866424056802, -68.60218841142549), across the street from Rock′s Family Diner in Fort Kent Maine.

At this location, it would be nice to walk into the family restaurant for a nice plate of Pootins, and Acadian speciality dish. I did and I really enjoyed the meal. After eating, I return to the jammer and then continue on the NTR by driving south out of Fort Kent on state highway 11 (SH 11), drive south to Medway, then a hard right to continue on SH 11 (also SH 157) and cross the East Branch Penobscot River, then through East Millinocket, Maine, then through Millinocket, and out the west side of Millinocket, still on SH 11 continue south on SH 11 to Milo, Maine. Then, at Milo, Maine, the NTR leaves SH 11 (which goes south to Bangor, Maine) and travels west from Milo on SH 6 to and through Dover-Foxcrost where SH 15 crosses the river and departs to the south, but the NTR continue west on SH 6 only to arrive at the Low′s Covered Bridge over the Piscataquls River, which also has a small picnic area. Then, the NTR continues west on SH 6 as it travels along the north side of the Piscataquls River until the town of Guilford where SH 6 crosses over the Piscagaguls River right at a small dam. Immediately after crossing the river, SH 6 turns right onto Elm Street and continues on the south side of the river until crossing back to the north side right after going through the village of Abbot. North of Abbot, SR 6 leaves the Piscataguls River and and continues north to Monson, and the NTR continues north for another four miles and crosses the newest alignment of the Appalachian Trail at (45.331160031938225, -69.53543275095389) which is also a trailhead parking area.

Heading north from the trailhead, the NTR follows SH 6 to and through Greenville, Moosehead (where the east outlet of Moosehead Lake heads down to the Kennebec River), then Rockwood Dam (where the west outlet leaves Moosehead Lake and heads down to the Kennebec River), next the village of Rockwood. Upon leaving Rockwood, the NTR follows SH 6 as it continues westward to Jackman, Maine and t′s into US 201 just south of where the Moose River flows out of Wood Pond on its eastern course to Moosehead Lake.

From Jackman, Maine, the NTR follows US 201 south to Caratunk, where the Appalachain Trail fords the Kennebec River from Carrabasset to the south and then travel north to Lake Herbron and crosses just four miles north of Monson. Next, the NTR travels south on US 201, crosses the Kennebec River just before arriving in North Anson where the NTR then turns west on SH 16 towards and through Kingfield where SH 27 joins SH 16 and travels northbound to and through Carrabasset, Bigelow and Stratton, Maine. Upon arriving in Stratton, SH 27 continues northward to the Canadian border, while SH 16 turns southwest to Rangeley on Rangeley Lake, continues westward to Wilsons Mills near the state line and after passing through this village, crosses the state line into New Hampshire at coordinates 44.8621040, -71.0466013.

Maine / New Hampshire State Line

Easternmost Point in the US

Upon leaving Conway, New Hampshire, I will be driving for quite a long time before I can even begin the Northern Tier Route (NTR). First I must drive nearly three hundred miles across the lower coastal region of the state in order to arrive at the beginning of this route, which takes more than five hours is I were to drive it non-stop. However, anyone who reads my journal posts likely knows that I never travel non-stop (once did when I was young and always in a hurry to be somewhere, but now, I always take my time and enjoy the ride.)

The following photos are some of those taken during the first day of this traverse while in the state of Maine. If I were to add to the route 688 miles, the number of miles that were necessary to drive in order to arrive at the eastern terminus of the NTR, which was about 300 miles, as well as that side trip to Mount Desert Island, then I have driven more than one thousand miles while I was in the state of Maine.

These photos are the first part of the 300 mile (approach trail) drive, which drive was along Maine′s south coastal region ending on my arrival at the Town Clock in the Village Green of Bar Harbor.

More to come!