BEST MOTORCYCLE RIDES IN MASSACHUSETTS

ROUTE: MA-2
DISTANCE: 72 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

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. Highlights of this curvy motorcycle ride includes Natural Bridge State Park, the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls and the panoramic vistas of the Connecticut River from the French King Bridge. The Mohawk trail is a beautiful motorcycle ride with high speed sweepers as well as the most entertaining hairpin turn in the whole state in North Adams, MA. You’ll have stunning mountain views, rushing rivers, dense forests and rolling farmland. The road pavement quality is almost immaculate, making it one of the most famous Massachusetts motorcycle rides!


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ROUTE: MA-57
DISTANCE: 28 miles
TIME: 1 hour

If you’re looking for a roller coaster ride by motorcycle, MA-57 is the motorcycle road for you! Pick up MA Rte. 57 from New Marlborough and head east 30 miles to Southwick. This MA motorcycle route runs along the southern portion of Massachusetts, and offers various elevation changes among some 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 a fantastic time to ride here, as the foliage colors are brilliant after early October. The red and orange colors offer a beautiful backdrop as you navigate the dips and turns among the hillsides of western Massachusetts. If you take this road from west to east, there’s a few sections where you can get the best views of the hills. Going this way, the road gets more technical towards the end. This scenic motorcycle road in Massachusetts will offer the rider everything from long stretches, to sweeping curves as well as tight turns overlooking the Berkshire hills. For a longer loop ride, check out one of the best motorcycle rides in Connecticut on the Tunxis State Forest route just south of here.


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ROUTE: US-202, MA-9, 122
DISTANCE: 54 miles
TIME: 1.5 hourd

This Massachusetts motorcycle road loops around the Quabbin Reservoir, and offers some great riding in the central part of the state. You can start this loop ride from Interstate 90 and follow MA-32 in Palmer, MA. Once you get on 32A, most of the road is beautifully maintained as of 2023. Route 32A is also a quieter road than MA-202 with much less traffic. You’ll navigate around tight turns and there’s some beautiful, scenic farmland along the southern portion of this road. MA-122 allows the motorcycle rider to open up the throttle a bit more as there’s more open straight-a-ways. 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! When completing the loop on MA-9, check out the Quabbin Reservoir Visitor Center for the best view of this scenic body of water.


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ROUTES: MA-116, MA-8A
DISTANCE: 44 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

The route from Heath to South Deerfield is one of our top favorite Massachusetts motorcycle rides! 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. Your speed will be a bit on the slow side here, as this is an intimate ride with quiet landscapes, but the mountain hillside scenery is gorgeous. South of Route 2, there are some beautiful farmland views, with elevation changes. Scenic Route 116 opens up a bit more with curves in the Plainfield area, as you ride alongside regions of vast flowering fields. The section of road between South Deerfield and Ashfield is a winding delight. There’s constant twists and turns that will have you smiling for every moment on this fantastic road. While much less popular than the Mohawk Trail, this is considered by many as the absolute best motorcycle road in all of Massachusetts.


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ROUTES: MA-1A, 127, 133
DISTANCE: 90 miles
TIME: 2 hours

Tour “America’s Oldest Seaport” from Salisbury to down and around the Cape Anne peninsula. 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 Newbury and Essex along 1A (all of which are included along 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. Be sure to include Atlantic Road included in the map link. This hidden gem offers fantastic oceanside scenery on a curvy road just southeast of Gloucester’s town center. For longer riding up north, continue past the MA state line and follow 1A for one of the best motorcycle roads in New Hampshire !


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ROUTES: 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. It’s a fun little detour and a great place to catch the sunset. 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! This loop ride is very close to one of the best motorcycle roads in Rhode Island on RI-77. That road will lead you to Sakonnet Point, and will offer more serene riding with oceanside views.


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ROUTE: MA-6A
DISTANCE: 30 miles
TIME: 1 hour

While many visitors ride the main State 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. You’ll see more of the Cape’s marshes, state park preserves and quaint towns the Cape is known for. Also known as the “Old King’s Highway”, MA-6A is one of the most historic byways in the United States. Pick up this great motorcycle ride from the town Sandwich, just after the Sagamore Bridge. This region will bring you past open marshlands near Sandwich Harbor. As you ride east to Orleans, the narrow road will treat you to some sweet little curves that are a lot of fun to navigate. If riding to the northern tip, continue onto State Route 6, which will take you alongside Cape Cod’s National Seashore. The historic towns, shops and cafes all maintain the character of the Old King’s Highway, and is one of the best roads to take by motorcycle in Massachusetts!


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GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is the place to find the best motorcycle roads and rides near MA and the New England. Discover more great motorcycle roads in the New England with our detailed route descriptions and Google Maps links!