Though the Nutmeg State is small, it offers some of the most beautiful scenery and best motorcycle roads in the Northeast. Whether you’re itching for some twisty mountain roads, a coastal cruise, or a peaceful drive through quaint New England towns, you’ll find the perfect route here. We’ve curated this collection of our 10 favorite Connecticut Motorcycle Rides for your safe, scenic weekend adventures.
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1. Northern Border Run
Distance: 35 miles
Time to Ride: 1-2 hours
This route through some of northern Connecticut’s small back roads offers fall foliage, spring greenery, and everything in between. Passing through small, quaint towns and covering winding, forested stretches of smooth, well-maintained road, the Northern Border Run is a biker’s dream. You’ll start in North Woodstock, a sleep little town in Northeastern CT, and wind your way through portions of the Nipmuck State Forest and the Chenipsit State Forest on your way toward Enfield. The majority of this ride is open, curvy roads without many stops, but Stafford Springs offers good food and fuel if you need a pit-stop along the way.
2. Northern Appalachian Mountains Ride
Distance: 102 miles
Time to Drive: Half a day or more
Skip across to the northwestern corner of the state to tour Connecticut’s northern Appalachians. This road covers some of the best scenery in the state and follows a portion of the Appalachian Trail along the way. You’ll start in Granby, then wind your way through the Tunxis State Forest toward North Canaan. The route then turns south, following Rt. 44 to Salisbury. You’ll skirt the New York state line in Sharon, CT, pass through Kent Falls state park, then enjoy the twisty, winding road back down to New Milford. Plenty of campgrounds, small towns, amenities, and other stops along the way make this the perfect multi-day trip if you’re up for a longer adventure.
3. Litchfield Loop
Distance: 50 miles
Time to Ride: 2 hours – half a day
For a shorter loop in the Northeast Connecticut mountains, the Litchfield loop covers beautifully-maintained, low-traffic roads and picturesque scenery in a relatively short loop. You could make this a quick two-hour jaunt or make a day of it, depending on how much wandering and exploring you want to do among Litchfield’s historic sites, Kent’s small shops and restaurants, and the state parks along the way.
4. Durham to Old Saybrook
Distance: 39 miles
Time to Ride: 1-3 hours
Southern CT is home to twisty, winding roads, friendly small towns, and beautiful rural landscapes. For an easy half-day ride, travel from Durham down toward the Connecticut river via Routes 79 and 148. After crossing the river on Hwy 92 just north of Gillette Castle State Park, you’ll veer south toward Lyme, then follow a short stretch of I-91 to Old Saybrook, where you’ll want to stop to see the Lynde Point Lighthouse and possibly sink your toes into the soft sand at Rocky Neck State Park. Expect a lot of tight bends and sweeping curves on this route.
5. Eastern CT and Western RI Loop
Distance: 64 miles
Time to Ride: Half a day or more
For fall foliage, serene farmland, and coastal vistas, you can’t beat this loop that covers parts of eastern Connecticut and western Rhode Island. This is one of the most scenic drives you’ll find in southern New England. Stop in Beach Pond State Park and Arcadia State Park to soak up the fresh forest air, catch glimpses of several lakes and streams as you cruise, and meander over and around the rolling hills characteristic of the area. Once you arrive in Newport, don’t hesitate to stop for some of the best seafood you’ll ever eat and take a walk on the Newport Cliffwalk, the most popular attraction in Rhode Island, before heading back.
6. Northeast Country Loop
Distance: 44 miles
Time to ride: about 1 hour
The Northeast Country Loop is perfect if you’re more interested in a beautiful drive than in amenities along the way. Enjoy 44 miles of winding, meandering two-lane roads through hills, forests, and wildlife–just don’t expect many places to stop! This loop begins in Ashford, then travels north to the lower edge of the Nipmuck State Forest before looping east and back south again, passing through the small, sleepy towns of Woodstock and Eastford along the way. Expect fairly well-maintained roads throughout, and try this route in the fall for breathtaking foliage!
7. Classic Countryside Tour
The Classic Countryside Tour is the perfect way to experience quintessential Connecticut countryside at its finest. Winding through small, picturesque towns, forested landscapes, and rolling farms speckled with lakes and streams, this route gives you a taste of the best of Connecticut. You’ll begin in Torrington and take Rt. 44 to New Hartford, a cozy village on the banks of the Farmington River. You’ll then pass through the Lake McDonough Recreation area via Route 19, pass through West Hartland and the pristine Tunxis State Forest, then curve back south toward Riverton. The scenic drive offers plenty of places to stop along the way, whether you’re into hiking, bookstores, historic sites, or quaint downtowns.
8. State Route 169 (CT Scenic Byway)
Distance: 36 miles
Time to Ride: 1 hour – half a day
The CT State Route 169 scenic drive travels north to south through forests, beautiful small towns, and historic farmsteads. You’ll travel from North Woodstock, just south of the Massachusetts border, down to Lisbon–and with countless potential stops along the way, you could easily make a day of it. The scenic byway is a particularly beautiful ride during the fall colors of September and October. Stop in Pomfret for a delicious meal at the Harvest Restaurant and spend some time at the nearby Mashamoquet Brook State Park along the way!
9. Connecticut Coast Scenic Drive
Distance: 71 miles
Time to Ride: 2-6 hours or more
Explore Connecticut’s coastal sights on this beautiful drive that takes you through Mystic, Bluff Point State Park, Old Saybrook, and the Whitfield House. You’ll curve along the coves and inlets that dot the coast of the Long Island Sound, and with plenty of places to stop and explore, stretch, and eat along the way, it would be easy to stretch this drive to a day-long tour. Well-maintained, relatively low-traffic roads keep you out of the busiest commercial centers, and the motorcycle-friendly towns along the way offer easy access to parking, considerate drivers, and friendly smiles all around.
10. Rt. 89 North
Distance: 16 Miles
Time to Ride: 30-40 minutes
This short stretch of country road passes the Mansfield Hollow Dam, follows the Hop River for a couple of miles, then curves through forested woodland interspersed with small farms. Though it’s a short hop, it’s gorgeous–especially during the fall–and it offers a few low-key parks and other stops along the way. The Ashford Dairy Bar is a must-stop for ice cream, and makes this stretch of road a natural choice to add to your route. The winding road is full of gentle curves (nothing that requires too much concentration) and very low traffic, making it an easy, no-stress ride.