Homemade hard ice cream, or the perfect swirly soft-serve cone, with sprinkles (or jimmies), everyone has their favorite go-to spot nearby to grab a cone.

While some of the bigger local ice cream companies like Gifford's and Fielder's Choice have many options in many towns, some ice cream spots are worth getting in the car and driving a bit to get to, because the payoff is just that sweet!

Here are 7 Maine ice cream stands worth taking a road trip for this summer.

1.) Houlton Farms Dairy Bar-Houlton

If you're heading "Up North," a stop at Houlton Farms Dairy Bar is a must! Located at 25 Commonwealth Avenue in Houlton, this beloved little ice cream stand has been around since the 1930s. They're closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but they're open the rest of the week, Wednesday through Saturday, 3 PM till 8 PM, and Sundays from noon till 8 PM.
2.) Wahl's Dairy Port-Bucksport

If you're heading to Fort Knox or the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, make sure you stop at Wahl's Dairy Port at 79 Main St. in Bucksport. They've been serving folks delicious soft-serve for over 70 years!

3.) Butterfield's Ice Cream-Dover Foxcroft

For over 70 years, this fabulous little ice cream stand has occupied a spot at 946 West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft. And for just that long, they've been serving up heaping helpings of homemade ice cream to folks who have had a hankering for their frozen goodies.
4.) Pugnuts Ice Cream and Gelato Shop-Surry

One of Maine's newer ice cream spots, you can find Pugnuts at 1276 Surry Road, not far from the Surry store. They've got a ton of interesting flavors, and if you can't get them at the shop, there are many local stores that have started carrying Pugnuts Gelato for sale.
5.) Ben & Bill's Chocolate Emporium- Bar Harbor

Located right on the main drag, at 66 Main Street in Bar Harbor, Ben & Bill's not only offers a ton of great ice cream flavors--and even a protein ice cream option!-- but they also have a huge red lobster you can snap a selfie with while you're there.
6.) Dorman's Dairy Dream-Thomaston

You can find this seasonal spot at 189 County Road in Thomaston. With HUGE scoops of ice cream and the same person making the same recipes for over a decade, Dorman's has been a part of coastal Maine summer memories for many in the area.

7.)  Lakeshore Restaurant- Dexter

While it's well-known for its seafood and burgers, many love the Lakeshore restaurant at 16 Crockett Road in Dexter for their ice cream and their view! It's worth taking a ride for, simply to eat a cone while you're looking out over the lake!

What's your favorite spot to travel to for a great scoop? Let us know!