Best Motorcycle Roads & Destinations in Connecticut

If you are an out-of-state tourist looking to visit a new region or a resident of “the Constitution State” wanting to explore your home, this article will help you plan out your motorcycle trip through Connecticut. If you travel to the northern area, you will encounter Litchfield Hills, rolling landscapes, countryside villages, and abundant antique shops. Navigating in the central area, you will discover the Connecticut River Valley and what is left of old tobacco farms. Traversing the eastern area, you will ride alongside the edges of the Atlantic Coast.

This article is intended to provide a list of Connecticut’s famous motorcycle roads and destinations including supplementary information on this state’s motorcycle laws.

Distance: 80 miles
Time: 2 hours 1 minute
Start: Granby
End: New Milford

Departing westward from Granby via CT Route 219, you will pass by and through Salmon Brook Park, Enders State Forest, Enders Waterfalls, and Indian Council Caves. As you transition onto CT Route 318, you will pass in between Barkhamsted Reservoir and Lake Mcdonough.

While you are on U.S. Route 44, you will have the chance to check out the exhibits at the American Museum of Tort Law while you are passing through Winsted. Further along, as you head northwest, you can check out the Norfolk Historical Society or Haystack Mountain Tower.

Turning southward, you may be able to spot the race cars on the track located in Lime Rock Park. As you are on Cornwall Bridge Road, you will pass by the outskirts of Housatonic Meadows State Park which has the Hatch Brook Falls and Pine Knob Loop Trail.

As you travel parallel to the Housatonic River, you will continue to wind southward towards New Milford. You will pass by Kent Falls State Park, Pond Mountain Natural Area, and Emery Park.

Distance: 41 miles
Time: 1 hour 11 minutes
Start: North Woodstock
End: Suffield

As you ride westward from North Woodstock via CT Route 197, you will pass within proximity to Chamberlain and Black Ponds. Swerving onto CT Route 171, you will pass by Bigelow Hollow State Park and Bigelow Pond.

Continuing to head west on CT Route 190, you will pass by Nipmuck State Forest and Shenipsit State Forest. You can take a hike through Mountain Laurel Sanctuary if you wish to get a closer look at the greenery. If you wish to watch race cars tearing through asphalt, you can check them out at Stafford Motor Speedway.

If you are looking to have fun, you can check out the small attractions at Sonny’s Place. As you continue to travel via CT Route 190, you will ride beside Somersville Pond, Scantic River, and Powder Hollow Park.

Getting closer to Suffield, you will cross over Enfield-Suffield Veterans Bridge which will help you bypass the Connecticut River. You will also be able to spot Enfield Dam in the distance. 

Distance: 40 miles
Time: 1 hour 7 minutes
Start: Durham
End: Old Saybrook

Leaving Durham, you will head southeast until you reach the bend on CT Route 148. Along the way, you may find stands set up at the Durham Fair Grounds if you happen to be visiting during the right season. You will pass by Durham Meadows Hunting Area and Chatfield Hollow State Park.

You will then turn east while still staying on CT Route 148, you will pass by the bottom region of Cockaponset State Forest. When you meet CT Route 154, you will turn northward until you have to cross the Connecticut River by using East Haddam Swing Bridge.

On the other side, you will head southeast via CT Route 82 which will take you beside Palmer-Warner House, East Haddam Historical Society, Banningwood Preserve, and Mt. Archer. Turning south on CT Route 156, you will travel beside Beckett Hill State Park Preserve.

As you draw closer to Old Saybrook, you will cross the Connecticut River by traveling on Raymond E. Baldwin Bridge. Most of your surroundings will be farms, lakes, rivers, small towns, and villages. 

Distance: 83 miles
Time: 2 hours 1 minute
Start: Newport, RI
End: Newport, RI

In Newport, there are many historical establishments for you to check out including the Marble House, Seaview Terrace-Carey Mansion, the Breakers, Belcourt of Newport, Newport Art Museum, and Chateau-sur-Mer. Heading west via CT Route 138, you will cross the East Passage of the Narragansett Bay by utilizing Claiborne Pell/Newport Bridge.

After clearing Colonel Rodman Highway, you will head west via CT Route 102 which will take you beside Cuttyhunk Brook Preserve, Queen’s River Preserve, and Big River Management Area. You will then head northward on the right side of the loop which will pass by Audubon Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge.

Traveling on the top side of the loop, you will crest around the northern tip of Nicholas Farm Management Area and get close to the entrance to the Moosup Valley State Park Trail. Moving down on the left side of the loop, you will travel along the eastern edge of Pachaug State Forest. Close to the bottom, you will head up to the Beachdale Pond Observation Deck to get a good look at the surrounding wilderness.

Heading east on the bottom side of the loop, you will pass by Beach Pond and Hemlock Ledges Overlook. There are also plenty of trails to hike up such as Tippecansett Trailhead, Mt. Tom Trailhead, and J.B. Hudson Trailhead. You will then take the exact route back towards the start at Newport. 

Distance: 57 miles
Time: 1 hour 21 minutes
Start: Litchfield
End: Norfolk Historic District

Departing westward from Litchfield, you will find plenty of food establishments where you can grab a quick meal including Dunkin’, Toast & Co., and Bohemian Pizza & Tacos. If you are interested in admiring greenery, you can stop at the Litchfield Community Garden.

Traveling down on U.S. Route 202, you will come close to the outer edges of Mt. Tom State Park and should be able to make out the remains of Mt. Tom Tower in the distance. Turning around the bend onto CT Route 45, you will travel beside Lake Waramaug.

Continuing on the same route, you will clear another bend towards the northeast after you have passed through the town of Warren. You will pass in between both North and South Spectacle Ponds plus pass within the vicinity of Emery Park.

Turning towards the northwest, you will travel on U.S. Route 7 as you make the final push towards Norfolk Historic District. You will pass through Kent Falls State Park and Housatonic Meadows State Park. 

Distance: 60 miles
Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Start: West Ashford
End: West Ashford

Heading northeast as you embark from West Ashford, you will pass through the northwestern corner of the Natchaug State Forest You will then turn northward via CT Routes 198 and 171 which will take you to the left side of the loop. In the end, you will be close to the southeastern edge of Bigelow Hollow State Park.

Heading east on the top side of the loop, you will pass in between Black and Chamberlain Ponds. Turning southeast on the right side of the loop, you will pass by Roseland Cottage. When you have made it to South Woodstock, you will temporarily leave the loop.

When you are traveling up W Thompson Road, you will pass by West Thompson Dam and the bottom of West Thompson Lake. After making your way northward until you make it to Thompson, you will then begin to return using the same way you came without a slight alteration.

Making the return trip, you will head onto the bottom side of the loop along CT Route 171. You will travel within proximity to Linda J. Rapoport Memorial Preserve, Upper Bungee Lake, and Witches Woods Lake. The rest of the route should take you back through familiar territory.

Distance: 106 miles
Time: 1 hour 54 minutes
Start: Stonington
End: Greenwich

While you are still in Stonington, you can check out the exhibits at the Stonington Lighthouse Museum and Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House Museum. After you leave the city behind, you will begin to head west on Interstate 95.

While you are still closer to the mainland, you can visit Mystic Aquarium which is close to the Mystic River. You will pass by the Copp Family Park, Poheganut Reservoir, Smith Lake, and Groton Reservoir while you travel on the Jewish War Veterans Memorial Highway.

After crossing the Thames River by going over the Gold Star Memorial Bridge, you will continue following Interstate 95. Later on, you will cross the Connecticut River by going over the Raymond E. Baldwin Bridge.

As you continue on your way towards Greenwich, you will find many beaches that face the Long Island Sound. These include West Beach, Jacobs Beach, Short Beach, Jennings Beach, Burying Hill Beach, West Beach, etc.

Upon arriving in Greenwich, you can check out the art exhibits at Bruce Museum or you can check out the shopping district along Greenwich Avenue.

Distance: 16 miles
Time: 24 minutes
Start: Mansfield Center
End: Mountain Laurel Sanctuary

As soon as you leave Mansfield Center, you will find that the nearby area is full of natural scenery including Mansfield Hollow State Park, Schoolhouse Brook Park, Spring Hill Tract, Lion’s Memorial Park, and Mansfield Hollow Lake.

Heading north, you will encounter Mt. Hope Park as you travel parallel to Mt. Hope River. Further along, you will pass by the Church Farm Blue Trail, Rankin Preserve, Iron Mine Valley Preserve while skirting outside of Yale-Myers Forest. The remainder of the trip will take you straight up to Mountain Laurel Sanctuary after you have passed Lake Chafee and Morey Pond. 

Distance: 47 miles
Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
Start: Winchester
End: Windsor

Heading east in the direction of CT Route 8, you will pass by the northern edge of Burr Pond State Park. After you transition onto CT Route 8, you will be able to admire the natural scenery of Sue Grossman Still River Greenway.

Finally making it onto CT Route 20, you should be able to make out Algonquin State Forest and Charles Arnold Recreation Area in the distance. You will pass through Tunxis State Forest which is where you can find Falls Brook Falls. You will clear the northern bend around the northern point of Barkhamsted Reservoir.

Heading southeast towards Windsor, you will pass through and beside Hartland Recreation Area and Enders State Forest. Winding down towards Windsor, you can take a slight detour to check out the exhibits at the New England Air Museum. 

As you journey into Connecticut, keep in mind that riders 17 years old or younger must have either a three-quarter or full-face helmet.

Although adults are under no obligation to wear a motorcycle helmet, it would be unwise to do so because it increases the likelihood of suffering a head injury.

Motorcycle passengers traveling with you through Connecticut who are 17 years old or younger must also don a motorcycle helmet. There are no laws in Connecticut that lay out a set age limit to be permitted to ride.

A passenger can be seated in a sidecar or on a saddle. For the latter, it is also necessary to install footpegs. It is optional but recommended to Include handholds.

Because Connecticut law does not mandate that motorcycles be supervised for a safety/vehicle inspection, you will have to do a routine check at your discretion.

Always look over the entirety of your motorcycle to make sure you can be seen by pedestrians and drivers from a distance, can safely transition between lanes, and adjust your speed immediately.

Connecticut has forbidden lane splitting due to this maneuver positioning riders precariously close to cars, trucks, etc.

To become more familiar with the motorcycle laws in Connecticut, click this link right here.

Some riders do not want to be told what to expect before setting out on an adventure. They feel it would spoil the surprise and make their experience lackluster since they already have an idea of what they will encounter.

However, the short descriptions of the roadside attractions and routes do not begin to give the real locations justice. This article only told you what landmarks to look out for and the directions you need to follow.

The only way to truly take in the Alaskan sights is if you get your motorcycle ready to venture out and see it for yourself.