BEST MOTORCYCLE RIDES IN MAINE
What are the best motorcycle rides near me in Maine? Below is our list for the top 7 Maine motorcycle rides:
MOTORCYCLE RIDES NEAR ME IN MAINE
Below is our detailed list of the best motorcycle roads in Maine. Being the largest state in New England, there are tremendous amounts of motorcycle riding to discover. From iconic lighthouses to scenic ski mountains, ride through the tranquil towns, and of course, its fantastic coastal national park.
TIPS FOR MAINE MOTORCYCLE RIDES
Looking for places to ride motorcycles in Maine? Given it’s northern location in the US, the riding season here is typically from May to October. Peak autumn foliage arrives as early as September, which is a perfect time to explore these routes. Just be vigilant for large wildlife that may be on these Maine motorcycle rides, such as deer or moose.
IS THERE A HELMET LAW IN MAINE?
While you’re discovering these scenic motorcycle rides in Maine, bear in mind the state’s helmet law. Operators or passengers who are under 18, operators under a learner’s permit or who are within one year of completing a driving test,
and the passenger of an operator required to wear a helmet.
Read more:
legislature.maine.gov
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ACADIA NATIONAL PARK LOOP
ROUTES: Park Loop Rd
DISTANCE: 70 miles
TIME: 3 hours
The “Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast” has 27 miles of historic ME motorcycling roads to ride. These Maine motorcycle rides, including Park Loop Road, offer spectacular views of the national park Atlantic coast. Be sure to stop off at Thunder Hole, an inlet that has an intense booming sound when the tide rushes in. There are also some shorter hikes overlooking Sand Beach if you want to take a break from your Maine motorcycle trips and stretch the legs. There are many overlooks available to pause and take in the scenery. As with most other national parks, the road pavement is excellently maintained. Try this route early in the day to beat the traffic and enjoy one of the most scenic motorcycle routes near Bar Harbor, ME.
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
MADRID TO UPTON
ROUTES: ME-4, 17, 26
DISTANCE: 96 miles
TIME: 2 hours
One of the top Maine motorcycle rides can be found on this scenic route from Madrid to Upton. Start this motorcycle trip in Maine on Rt 4 in Madrid and connect to 17 south. The route features majestic overlooks of nearby mountains and lakes down to Rumford, ME. As you travel along the bend that makes up U.S. Route 2, you will be able to hike up Grafton Loop Trailhead or Mystery Mountain Trailhead, if you’re looking to do any hiking nearby. ME-26 offers some beautiful, open road scenery and carves up through Grafton Notch State Park. For more great Maine motorcycle rides, continue all the way up Rte 26 to Colebrook, NH. This is one of the
best motorcycle roads in NH
, as you’ll experience the awesome road past Dixville Notch.
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
MAINE HIGH PEAKS SCENIC BYWAY
ROUTES: ME-16, ME-27
DISTANCE: 67 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours
The Maine High Peaks Scenic Byway is definitely one of the top Maine motorcycle rides in the state. Start this scenic motorcycle route north along ME-16, which connects to ME-27 all the way to the Canadian border. You’ll coast on your motorcycle around the southern tip of Bigelow Preserve. As you continue to ride along Route 27, you’ll have scenic mountain views, including that of Crocker Mountain, Mt. Redington, and the popular ski destination of Sugarloaf Mountain. Stay on high alert for deer crossing, as there are posted “High Hit Area” signs posted on this road.
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
NEWFIELD TO GRAY
ROUTES: ME-11, 85, 26
DISTANCE: 50 miles
TIME: 1 hour
Newfield to Gray is one of our favorite Maine motorcycle rides that traverses the southern part of the state. This great motorcycle road in Maine moves into rolling farmland, open roads and through deep forests. The route passes alongside Sebago Lake, which is one of the largest lakes in Maine, and provides some enjoyable twists and hills as those traveling by motorcycle will take in some fantastic views along the way.
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
EXPLORE MORE >>
AROOSTOOK SCENIC BYWAY
ROUTE: ME-11
DISTANCE: 105 miles
TIME: 2 hours
The Aroostook Scenic Byway is one of the best hidden gem Maine motorcycle rides. Route 11 travels alongside Baxter State Park and is full of beautiful scenery with fun curves. The scenic motorcycle ride in Maine also features the diversity of some long stretches of road to enjoy. Just be sure to ride with caution, as there is an abundance of local wildlife which are commonly seen at the road’s edges. Moose are especially plentiful up this way, so stay alert and enjoy the great Maine motorcycle ride on the Aroostook Scenic Byway!
(photo: visitmaine.com)
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
STATE ROUTE 113
ROUTE: State Rt 113
DISTANCE: 30 miles
TIME: 45 mins
State Route 113 is an awesome Maine motorcycle ride that will take you along the NH border, just east of the White Mountain region. There’s some open mountain views in the Chatham area, but the scenic route gets quite technical once in the deep forest, as there are many tight turns along the narrow road in the middle portion of this route. Be sure to stop by the Cold River Overlook for beautiful mountain views.
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
SKOWHEGAN TO GREENVILLE
ROUTES: US-201, ME-6
DISTANCE: 121 miles
TIME: 2.5 hours
For a great Maine motorcycle route along the western mountains of the state, check out this ride from Skowhegan to Greenville. This part of US-201 is known as the Old Canada Road Scenic Byway. You’ll have an abundance of twists and turns as it follows the curves of the river. There’s also a lot of open straights to be able to take in the scenery. Take 201 north to Jackman and the turn right onto Route 15, which becomes ME-6 into Greenville. This route takes the rider along a scenic section of the Kennebec River Valley, then over to Moosehead Lake. Continuing south on Route 6, you can connect to 16 in Abbot to make a nice, long loop ride. Be sure to stop at the Robbins Hill Scenic Area, as well as the Attean Overlook in Jackman, ME.
(photo: visitkennebecvalley.com)
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Visit our friends at BikeWeekEvents.com to find local ME Motorcycle Rallies and all scheduled bike shows happening in Maine!
Yes. One of the best ways to see Maine’s roadside beauty is on a motorcycle. You’ll ride along its rugged coastline, and eastern mountainous region. Maine is also home to New England’s only national park, Acadia. It’s best to plan your ride from May to early October, as Maine’s winter weather starts early and lingers well into spring.
Due to its northern location in the Northeast United States, the best time of year to ride a motorcycle in Maine is in the summer. Some parts of Maine are actually much further north than Montreal, so snowfall arrives early in winter. Early fall is also a great time to ride, as the autumn colors become brilliant as early as September.
Most of Maine’s motorcycle roads consist of open roads with with good visibility. Drivers are courteous and well-aware of motorcyclists during riding season. On Maine’s more northern roads, there are many signs warning of moose crossings, so extreme caution should be used if riding these Maine motorcycle routes.
WHERE CAN I FIND SCENIC MOTORCYCLE ROUTES IN NEW ENGLAND?
GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is the place to find the best motorcycle roads and rides near Maine and New England. Discover more great motorcycle roads in New England with our detailed route descriptions and Google Maps links!
