The Unspoken Rules of Maine Backroads Every Local Should Know

Maine has thousands of miles of backroads. Those roads that are less traveled often will get you where you're going a bit faster than you would if you took the main roads. They're typically maintained by the town, rather than county or state public works.

These roads have five unspoken rules about driving on backroads in Maine that you should know about.

Give a Wave

If you live in a rural town with backroads, you may very well know many of the people in your town and even recognize their cars as you pass them in the opposite direction. When I was a kid riding with my Dad in his truck in the Oxford Hills, her must have waved to at least 5 different people on our typically short drives. It's just a friendly thing to do.

Keep to the Right

Rural roads are usually narrower than the main roads, and some, like Nichols Street in South Paris, which is seen above, don't have center lines. So be sure to stay as far to the right as you can to avoid any possible collisions.

Don't Wave People Through Intersections

This goes for all roads, really, but it happens more often at rural interactions than on the main roads, which usually are controlled by traffic lights.. If you come to an intersection with stop signs and arrive at the same time as another driver,  don't wave the other person through. If anyone misinterprets your wave, a collision could occur. The person on the right or turning right has the right-of-way. Let them take it.

READ MORE: The 25 Intersections in Maine That Had The Most Crashes in 2024

Watch Out For Kids Playing

I grew up on a rural street, and we often played right in the street, yelling "CAR!" when a car started to approach.. We weren't smart. On rural roads kids could be riding bikes, playing ball, or doing any other of things that could be dangerous if they are too close to or even in the road. Keep an eye out for kids playing.

Watch For Animals in the Road

I live on a rural road and every summer, deer come into our backyard looking for food. We get several animals that wander through our backyard, including skunks, raccoons, groundhogs, and occasional stray cats. People tend to drive fast by our house, and if you hit a large animal like a deer, it won't be pretty. Expect some work in the body shop.