Best Motorcycle Roads & Destinations in Vermont, United States

Going on a ride through Vermont or “the Green Mountain State” could be a good way to experience your first motorcycle trip or visit someplace new in the U.S. Much of the state’s terrain is covered in hilly and mountainous landscapes which are covered in forests of hardwoods and conifers. The roads you travel on have a combination of beautiful natural scenery and roadside amenities. A few notable natural landmarks to keep an eye out for include the Green Mountains, Hudson River, Lake George, and Lake Champlain.

To make the best use of your time, you may want to draft an initial plan for your route. You can decide which motorcycle roads and destinations in Vermont are worth visiting based on the information written below.

Distance: 160 miles
Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Start: Brattleboro
End: Burlington

Heading north out of Brattleboro, you will travel alongside the West River which will take you to Black Mountain Natural Area, Old Jelly Mill Falls, and Black Mountain Quarry. Winding around, you will come close to Townshend State Forest, Townshend State Park, and Fair Brook Stone Arch Bridge.

Further along, you will travel through the eastern edge of Green Mountain National Forest which includes Jamaica State Park, Ball Mountain Dam, and Hamilton Falls. As you coast outside Green Mountain National Forest, you will pass by Okemo State Forest, Lake Rescue, Echo Lake, Camp Plymouth State Park, Coolidge State Forest, and Coolidge State Park.

Traveling close to the northern region of Green Mountain National Forest, you will be within the vicinity of Granville Gulf Reservation State Forest, Roxbury State Forest, Warren Falls, and Mount Ellen. As you curve westward towards Burlington, you will travel in between CC Putnam State Forest, Little River State Park, Camel’s Hump State Park, Robbins Mountain Wildlife Management Area, and Huntington Gorge. 

Distance: 40 miles
Time: 1 hour 1 minute
Start: Brattleboro
End: Bennington

While you are still in Brattleboro, you can check out the exhibits at Brattleboro Museum & Art Center and the Estey Organ Museum. Leaving the city by heading west, you will pass by Whetstone Park and Living Memorial Park before you cross over Creamery Covered Bridge.

Approaching the halfway point, you will pass through and by Hogback Mountain Conservation Area and Molly Stark State Park. You may be able to check out the exhibits at the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum and the Art of Humor Gallery.

The last leg of the trip will have you passing the southern area of Green Mountain National Forest. You will come by Woodford State Park, Long Trail, Big Pond, and Roaring Branch Walloomsac Brook. You will then arrive in Bennington after clearing the wilderness.

Distance: 43 miles
Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
Start: Rochester
End: Hancock

Heading into the northern region of the Green Mountain National Forest, you will swerve through the dense forests as you travel along the bottom side of the loop. You may be able to go to Rochester School Forest if you take a slight detour north or head down to Brandon Town Forest when you temporarily exit the wilderness.

Turning north on the left side of the loop, you will travel along the western edge of the Green Mountain National Forest. You will come across Minnie Baker Trailhead, Lake Dunmore, Silver Lake, Silver Lake Trail, and Branbury State Park.

Turning east on the top side of the loop, you will re-enter the Green Mountain National Forest. You will be able to explore Robert Frost Wayside. If you are brave enough to take a motorcycle during the winter, you have the chance to try skiing or snowboarding at Rikert Nordic Center and Middlebury College Snow Bowl.

Distance: 74 miles
Time: 1 hour 44 minutes
Start: Wilmington
End: Killington

Departing northward away from Wilmington, you will travel along the eastern edge of the Green Mountain National Forest. You will swerve close to Dover Town Forest and Stephen Greene Municipal Forest within the first couple of miles.

Before you exit the Green Mountain National Forest, you will come across Jamaica State Park, Ball Mountain Dam, and Hamilton Falls. Exiting the wilderness, you will continue to travel on Vermont Route 100 which will have you pass by Okemo State Forest, Coolidge State Forest, and Killington Peak.

As you keep on curving along the road, you will eventually arrive in Killington.

Distance: 109 miles
Time: 2 hours 31 minutes
Start: Bloomfield
End: Alburgh

Traveling close to the national border between Canada and the United States, you will head westward on Vermont Route 105. Shortly after embarking from Bloomfield, you will come across Brighton State Park and Island Pond. As you temporarily divert onto Vermont Route 5A and U.S. Route 5, you will come close to Lake Salem, Lake Derby, and Clyde Pond.

Riding back onto Vermont Route 105, you will travel in between Lake Memphremagog and South Bay. After passing North Troy, you will encounter Jay Branch Gorge and Caleton Mountain. After you have passed the halfway point, you will travel parallel to the Missisquoi River.

Drawing closer to Alburgh, you will have the opportunity to check out Louie’s Landing, Charcoal Creek, and the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. After you cross Alburg-Swanton Bridge, you just have to continue until you make it to Alburgh.

Distance: 67 miles
Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Start: Bristol
End: Bristol

After you have left Bristol behind, you will swerve along Vermont Route 17 which will take you by Camel’s Hump State Park and Mount Ellen. Along the road itself, you will have the chance to explore Jerusalem Trailhead and Morrison Place.

Traveling south on Vermont Route 100 after passing Irasville, you will pass by Laurea Park, Bundy Modern, Warren Falls, Granville Gulf Reservation State Forest, and Moss Glen Falls. You will be riding alongside the eastern edge of the Green Mountain National Forest as you go towards Hancock.

Turning west, you will dive deep into the wilderness of the Green Mountain National Forest. If you are brave enough to take a motorcycle during the winter, you have the chance to try skiing or snowboarding at Middlebury College Snow Bowl and Rikert Nordic Center. You will also be able to explore Robert Frost Wayside.

Heading north, you will ride alongside the western edge of the Green Mountain National Forest. Aside from the Abbey Pond Trailhead, the rest of the trip should be largely uneventful as you make it back to Bristol.

Distance: 40 miles
Time: 1 hour
Start: Irasville, Waitsfield
End: Lake Champlain Bridge

Traveling westward on Vermont Route 17 away from Irasville, you will pass by the foot of Camel’s Hump State Park. You will also have the opportunity to explore the Morrison Place and Jerusalem Trailhead. You will only pass the northern tip of the Green Mountain National Forest which has Bartlett Falls and Eagle Park.

While you are riding atop Vermont Road and relatively close to East Branch Dead Creek, you will encounter several establishments including the Dead Creek Wildlife Area Visitor Center, the Dead Creek Wildlife Viewing Area, and the Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area.

Getting close to the Vermont-New York border, you will catch sight of D.A.R. State Park and Chimney Point State Park along the way. Though your final destination is Lake Champlain Bridge, you can continue if you wish to explore a little bit of New York. 

Distance: 19 miles
Time: 27 minutes
Start: Searsurg, VT
End: North Adams, MA

Starting in the southeast region of the Green Mountain State Forest, you will clear a wide corner and then turn southward via Vermont Route 8. If you decide to take your motorcycle during the winter, you may be able to attempt skiing or snowboarding at the Dutch Hill Ski Area.

Continuing in the same direction, you will cross over the Vermont-Massachusetts border. You will pass by Clarksburg State Park and Natural Bridge State Park as you progress towards your final destination. When you are in North Adams, you can check out the exhibits at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. 

Distance: 36 miles
Time: 47 minutes
Start: Middlebury
End: Poultney

If you choose to explore Middlebury, you can check out the exhibits at the Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History or the Mahaney Center for the Arts. Embarking southward, you will catch sight of Middlebury Falls as you exit the city.

Further along as head straight south, you will pass by Cornwall Swamp Wildlife Management Area, Lake Hortonia, Echo Lake, and Beebe Pond.

The last major natural sites and landmarks to keep an eye out for as you draw closer to Poultney include Lake Bomoseen, Castleton Town Forest, Crystal Beach, and Pine Pond. 

Distance: 133 miles
Time: 2 hours 44 minutes
Start: Waterbury Village Historic District
End: Waterbury Village Historic District

If you are still around the Waterbury Village Historic District, you may be able to visit Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard if you wish to see the resting place of ice cream flavors that are now gone. You also should be able to make out CC Putnam State Forest, Mount Mansfield State Forest, and Camel’s Hump State Park.

Traveling south via Interstate 89, you will travel parallel to the Winooski River during the first few miles of the trip. You will be within the vicinity of Berlin Pond, Berlin Town Forest, Northfield Village Forest, and Allis State Park as you continue to head down.

When you have made it to Woodstock, you can visit the exhibits on display at the Billings Farm & Museum. You can also spend time stretching your legs at Billing Park and Faulkner Park.

As you begin the return trip, you will travel north on Vermont Route 100, you will pass by Laurea Park, Bundy Modern, Warren Falls, Granville Gulf Reservation State Forest, Moss Glen Falls, Mount Cushman State Park, and Riley Bostwick Wildlife Management Area. You will also be riding alongside the eastern edge of the Green Mountain National Forest.

Distance: 50 miles
Time: 1 hour
Start: Burlington
End: Alburgh

While you are still in Burlington, you can check out the exhibits on display at the Fleming Museum of Art or the ECHO, Leah Center for Lake Champlain. Heading towards Interstate 89, you will pass just outside of the Centennial Woods Natural Area. After you cross over the Winooski River, you will come close to the Gilbrook Nature Area.

Continuing to head up while on Interstate 89, you will come close to Malletts Bay, Niquette Bay, Arrowhead Mountain Lake, and Aldis Hill Park.

For the final leg of the trip, you will be within the vicinity of Maquam Bay Wildlife Management Area, Louie’s Landing, and Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. After you have crossed Alburg-Swanton Bridge, you will have made it to Alburgh.

Following the guidelines laid out by the Commission of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, all riders in Vermont must possess a motorcycle helmet. Regardless of age, any rider who operates without a full-face or three-quarter helmet is violating the law.

Being seated behind you does not offer much protection for your passenger, so you must insist that s/he dress up in protective motorcycle wear. You are held responsible for any injuries your passengers suffer if s/he was not wearing a motorcycle helmet.

Based on how frequently you ride your motorcycle and the mileage you accrue, the motorcycle parts may begin to break down due to being repeatedly put under stress.

As it is difficult to gauge the integrity of the motorcycle parts while riding, you are required to have them examined at a state-approved inspection station. The image below gives you a checklist of the components necessary to travel safely on your motorcycle.

• Horn
• Wheels
• Tires 
• Fenders
• Handlebars 
• Front & Rear Brakes
• Controls
• Headlight 
• Tail Light
• Brake Light
• Turn Signals
• Exhaust System
• Muffler
• Rearview Mirrors

In Vermont, trying to lane split is considered a violation of the law.

If you want to know more specific facts about each section of the Vermont motorcycle laws, you can learn about it here.

Considering there is a lot of ground to cover when traveling through Vermont, you never know what you might encounter along the way. The starting and end points of a route usually are the highlights of the different highways. However, you may find quaint communities, national parks, or other interesting attractions along the way. Rather than speed along to your intended destination as fast as possible, take some time to stop and take in the view.