U.S. Route 2 (US 2) in the U.S. state of Maine is a principal east–west route through the central portion of the state, extending from the New Hampshire border in Gilead to the town of Houlton less than a quarter mile from the Canadian border.
From Bangor, the road begins following the Penobscot River northward, passing through Orono, crossing the river just south of the main campus of the University of Maine on Marsh Island. In Old Town, the road crosses the river again, staying to the east bank of the river through Mattawamkeag, crossing the Mattawamkeag River, then heading northward through the rest of the county and into Aroostook County, heading due north from Macwahoc, eventually meeting up again with I-95 near exit 286 in Oakfield, before crossing back at exit 291 in Smyrna. From Smyrna, the road travels due east into Houlton, sharing a concurrency with US 1 for just under one-half mile (0.80 km) before heading east and terminating just north of Houlton International Airport at I-95 exit 305, the last exit before it changes to Route 95.[2]
History
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2012)
The original path of the road near the Houlton Airport did not turn around what is now the north–south runway, instead going straight on what is now Old Woodstock Road, over the eventual path of the runway, and crossing Airport Drive just south of the exit, meeting at the old U.S. Customs station, 200 yards (180 m) due south of the current one. The corresponding Canadian road also has closed, ending 0.4 miles (0.64 km) further from the border than it once did. The roadway paths are still visible on satellite imagery.