GREAT MOTORCYCLE ROADS IN MASSACHUSETTS
The Best Roads Are Here!
WHAT ARE THE TOP 10 MOTORCYCLE ROADS IN MASSACHUSETTS?
- Mohawk Trail (72 miles)
- New Marlborough to Southwick (30 miles)
- Quabbin Reservoir Loop (54 miles)
- Heath to S Deerfield (44 miles)
- Route 105 (29 miles)
- Westport Loop (15 miles)
- Route 119 (13 miles)
- Dartmouth Loop (27 miles)
- Newburyport to Cape Anne (41 miles)
- Cape Cod on Route 6A
Below is our detailed list for the best motorcycle rides in Massachusetts! Though considered one of America's smallest states, MA offers a surprising diversity of landscapes while riding a motorcycle - from windswept beaches to forest-covered mountains. See all that Massachusetts has to offer on these motorcycle routes, complete with road descriptions and direct Massachusetts motorcycle map links.
MOHAWK TRAIL
Route 2
DISTANCE: 72 miles
TIME: 1 hour 40 min
Some of the best roadside scenery in Massachusetts can be seen along the famous Mohawk Trail, which runs east/west along the northern part of the state. This great motorcycle ride in MA began as a Native American trade route, and there are great views alongside the Connecticut and Deerfield River. The best part of this road is from the NY border to the MA-202 area. You'll pass through some great towns such as Shelburne Falls and N Adams as well as the Mohawk Trail State Forest.
NEW MARLBOROUGH TO SOUTHWICK
MA-57
DISTANCE: 30 miles
TIME: 1 hour
This east/west MA motorcycle route runs along the southern portion of Massachusetts, and offers varying elevation rises and great scenery. The ride is at its best near Sandisfield State Park, and continues with some excellent long curves over by Granville State Forest. Autumn is probably the best season to ride here, as the foliage colors are brilliant after early October. This is one of the more open stretches of back-road you can find in the whole state, making this a great motorcycle ride in Massachusetts!
QUABBIN RESERVOIR LOOP
ROUTES 202, 122, 32A
DISTANCE: 54 miles
TIME: 1 hour 15 min
This Massachusetts motorcycle road loops around the Quabbin Reservoir, and offers some great riding in the central part of the state. From Route 122, connect to MA-32A in Petersham south to Hardwick. Route 32A is a quieter road with tight curves and much less traffic than MA-202, and there's some beautiful, scenic farmland along the southern portion of this road. There's a great scenic overlook along MA-202 to stop by, and check out the New Salem Convenience store for a sandwich and great service!
HEATH TO S DEERFIELD
ROUTES 116, 8A
DISTANCE: 44 miles
TIME: 1 hour 15 min
There's great mountain and river views to be seen along this northwestern Massachusetts motorcycle route, along with some considerable elevation changes. Route 8A is little-known gem which continues north into Vermont. Its a small, narrow mountain road that leads through deep woods along the Mill Brook creek. South of Route 2, there are some beautiful farmland views, with elevation changes. Scenic Route 116 opens up with some vast flowering fields, and some fantastic curves. While much less popular than the Mohawk Trail, this is considered by many as the absolute best motorcycle road in all of Massachusetts.
ROUTE 105
MA-105
DISTANCE: 29 miles
TIME: 1 hour
Between Boston and Cape Cod are some great motorcycle routes in Massachusetts. One of which is MA-105, which will take you alongside the numerous ponds in Lakeview, MA. There are some nice, long stretches just south of Halifax. Some of this is through quiet suburban towns, but a great section of this Massachusetts motorcycle road is in the forested area between the Great and Little Quittacas Ponds. The road is newly paved as of 2021, and you'll ride along with some beautiful lake views and deep forest.
WESTPORT LOOP
HORSENECK RD, HIXBRIDGE RD, MAIN RD
DISTANCE: 15 miles
TIME: 30 mins
This quiet beach loop showcases Westport's farmland and ocean view roads, as you loop around Horseneck Beach Reservation area. There are some great views of the Atlantic on Beach Rd, across bridges, and overlooking marinas. Be sure to include the causeway road to Gooseberry Island included in the map link. This route is best to ride in the summer, as its always a few degrees cooler in this part of the state near the ocean. But its a lesser known gem with minimal traffic, allowing motorcyclists to enjoy riding this great Massachusetts motorcycle road!
ROUTE 119
MA-119
DISTANCE: 13 miles
TIME: 20 mins
One of the best motorcycle rides in Massachusetts is Route 119 from the NH border to the Townsend area. There's winding, tight curves through the forested area of northern Massachusetts. After which, the road opens up nicely with lake views closer to the NH border. The section of this route in Massachusetts is relatively short at 13 miles, but this motorcycle road stays great all the way through New Hampshire into Brattleborough, VT.
DARTMOUTH LOOP
DISTANCE: 27 miles
TIME: 1 hour
Ride along this quiet MA motorcycle route among some of Dartmouth's best roads. This motorcycle ride features rivers, farmland, with beautiful ocean and marinas views. There are a few side roads on this route, so just click on the map link below for the direct Google maps route and enjoy the ride!
NEWBURYPORT TO CAPE ANNE
ROUTES 1A, MA-127
DISTANCE: 41 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours
Tour “America’s Oldest Seaport" from the great town of Newburyport to down and around the Cape Anne peninsula just north of Boston. There's scenic beaches, fresh seafood, stunning vistas and narrow, winding roads connecting it all. There's some tight turns along the quaint Route 127, and some nice open stretches of farmland in the Newbury area along 1A (all of which are included among the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway.) Ride this fantastic Massachusetts motorcycle route to experience a wide variety of scenic diversity in the upper northern portion of the state. Keep riding north to ride the awesome state beach area of New Hampshire's Route 1A.
CAPE COD ON RTE. 6A
ROUTE 6A
DISTANCE: 30 miles
TIME: 1 hour
While many visitors ride the main Route 6 to tour Cape Cod, it's not necessarily the best road to take. Route 6A is a better option to motorcycle through Cape Cod. From Sandwich, ride east to Orleans. You'll see more of the Cape's marshes, state park preserves and quaint towns the Cape is known for. If riding to the northern tip, Route 6 will take you there, alongside Cape Cod's National Seashore.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Massachusetts a good place to ride a motorcycle?
Massachusetts has a variety of roads from the hilly and forested Berkshire Mountains to the ocean-side roads of Westport and Cape Cod to the east. Being a northeastern state, the best motorcycle riding is between April to November, as the cold and snow starts in December and can linger until March.
Do I have to wear a helmet on a motorcycle in Massachusetts?
According to Massachusetts law, every person operating a motorcycle or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle or in a sidecar attached to a motorcycle must wear a helmet.
What is the best motorcycle ride in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts Route 2 (also known as the Mohawk Trail) is the most popular road in the state for motorcycle riders. A lesser known fantastic motorcycle ride consists of Route 116 and Route 8A, which crosses the Mohawk Trail. It leads from South Deerfield, MA to Vermont, and is one of the best motorcycle rides in the state.
Where Do I Find Great Motorcycle Roads in New England?
GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is the place to find the best motorcycle roads and routes in New England. Discover great motorcycle rides in the states of New England with our route descriptions and Google Maps links!
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