Riding New Jersey
New Jersey motorcycle rides: the Skylands, the Pine Barrens and the shore
New Jersey motorcycle rides are better than most people expect. The northwest corner has mountains, lakes and the Old Mine Road through the Delaware Water Gap, the Pine Barrens are a huge stretch of quiet forest roads, and the shore runs all the way down to Cape May. This page covers the best roads, when to ride, the helmet and lane splitting rules, events, and riding New Jersey with the free Rippin' app.
- Helmet law
- All riders
- Lane splitting
- Not legal (2026)
- Prime season
- May to Jun, Sep to Oct
- Rippin'
- Free, turf wide open
Why ride New Jersey
Why New Jersey motorcycle rides surprise people
New Jersey is the most densely populated state, and its turnpikes and parkways have the reputation to match. But get off the highways and the state has three very different kinds of riding within a couple of hours of each other.
The northwest, the Skylands, is ridges, lakes and forest: Sussex and Warren counties, High Point, the Kittatinny Ridge and the Delaware Water Gap. This is where New Jersey's curves are. The Delaware River forms the western border, with river towns like Lambertville and Frenchtown along it.
The south is flat. The Pine Barrens cover a big part of the inner coastal plain with sandy, pine-lined roads and small crossroads towns, and the shore runs down the Atlantic edge through Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May counties. South Jersey riding is about long, quiet roads, shore towns and the run down to Cape May.
The roads
The best motorcycle roads in New Jersey
From one-lane river roads to barrier-island bridges, these nine are New Jersey's well-known rides.
- Old Mine Road (Delaware Water Gap)Runs along the New Jersey side of the Delaware through the national recreation area, past Millbrook Village and the Walpack area. Narrow, one lane in places, rough in spots and deeply wooded. Sections can close, so check with the park before you go.
- NJ 23 to High Point State ParkClimbs northwest through Sussex County to High Point State Park, home to the highest point in New Jersey and its monument. Curvy and scenic near the top. Weekend traffic thickens around the lakes on the way.
- NJ 94 through Warren and Sussex countiesRuns northeast from the Delaware Water Gap area through Blairstown and farm country toward Newton and Vernon. Rolling hills, farm stands and small towns, a classic Skylands connector.
- NJ 29 along the DelawareFollows the river north from Trenton through Lambertville toward Frenchtown, with the Delaware and Raritan Canal alongside for much of the way. Easy curves and river views. Rock fall and flooding can close sections.
- Palisades Interstate ParkwayRuns north from the George Washington Bridge along the top of the Hudson River cliffs into New York. Wooded and scenic right next to the city, with overlooks across the river. No trucks, but heavy commuter traffic at rush hour. Keep going north for Hudson Valley riding.
- NJ 72 through the Pine BarrensCrosses the Pinelands from Four Mile Circle toward Manahawkin and the causeway to Long Beach Island. Long, nearly straight and lined with pines. Sand drifts onto the shoulder and the edges of the lane.
- CR 563 through Wharton State ForestRuns through the heart of the Pine Barrens past Chatsworth toward Green Bank. A quiet county road with sandy shoulders, few services and plenty of deer.
- Ocean Drive (Cape May County)Hops down the barrier islands from Ocean City through Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor and the Wildwoods to Cape May, crossing a string of bridges, some of them tolled. Salt air, sea breeze and summer traffic.
- Cape May-Lewes FerryThe ferry from Cape May to Lewes, Delaware turns a South Jersey ride into a two-state loop. It carries motorcycles; reserve ahead in summer. See the Delaware riding page for the other side.
When to ride
When to ride in New Jersey
New Jersey's best riding is May and June, then September and October. Fall color comes first to the Skylands, usually in October, and the shore is at its best after Labor Day, when the crowds thin out but the weather is still warm.
Summer is hot and humid, and the Garden State Parkway and every road to the beach jam up on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings. Ride the shore early or midweek.
Winter brings snow and ice, especially in the northwest hills, and salt on every road. Spring means potholes. Hurricane season runs June through November, and coastal storms and nor'easters can flood shore roads and barrier-island bridges.
The rules
New Jersey helmet and lane splitting laws
Helmets. New Jersey requires a helmet for all riders. See the IIHS helmet law overview for the current rule.
Lane splitting and filtering. As of 2026, New Jersey law doesn't allow lane splitting or filtering. Several states are changing their laws, so check before you ride.
This is a summary, not legal advice. Laws change, so check the New Jersey statute or the New Jersey MVC before you ride.
Riding calendar
New Jersey motorcycle events and bike nights
New Jersey's riding calendar is packed with bike nights, dealer events, charity rides and toy runs, and the shore towns draw plenty of riders in late summer and fall. For the big national rallies, North Jersey is a few hours from Americade in Lake George (New York, June) and Laconia Motorcycle Week (New Hampshire, June), and South Jersey riders head down the coast for the Myrtle Beach bike rallies (South Carolina, May) and Daytona Bike Week (Florida, March). The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride runs in cities worldwide each May. Check each organizer for dates.
The Rippin' events map covers the whole US, with hundreds of bike nights, meets, rallies and charity rides. RSVP in the app, follow repeating meets, and post your own. Shops and clubs can list events too. More on motorcycle events in Rippin'.
Live from the app
New Jersey on Rippin' right now.
0 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in New Jersey on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
No New Jersey events are on the Rippin' map yet. Know a bike night, rally or charity ride? Post it in the app under Meets, or have the organizer add it, and it shows up here and on the map for every rider nearby.
No New Jersey roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.
Local knowledge
Riding tips for New Jersey
- JughandlesMany New Jersey highways use jughandles: to turn left, you exit to the right and loop around. Know where your turn is before you reach it.
- TollsThe Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, the Atlantic City Expressway and the river crossings all charge tolls. Plan how you'll pay before you go.
- Bears and deer up northBlack bears and deer live in the Skylands. Dawn and dusk on wooded roads in Sussex and Passaic counties call for extra care.
- Sand in the pines and at the shorePine Barrens roads and shore streets collect sand at the edges and in corners. Stay in the clean part of the lane.
- Wind on the bridgesCauseways and barrier-island bridges catch strong crosswinds off the ocean and the bays. Give yourself room.
Rippin' in New Jersey
How the free Rippin' app works in New Jersey
Rippin' started in Southern California, and New Jersey is early, with few riders and roads in the app so far. For a state this crowded, that's a rare thing: most of the turf map is open, and every part of the game is free.
Turf. Close a loop and the land inside becomes your turf on the live map. A Skylands loop on NJ 23 and NJ 94, or a Pine Barrens loop out of the shore towns, makes a strong first claim. How Turf Wars works.
Poker stops. Diners, shore bars, cafes and dealerships can become a poker stop. Ride up and the stop deals you a card, no QR codes. More on poker runs.
Roads. Add a favorite road with Create a Segment, and a person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live with your name on it. Read how roads get added.
Group rides and squads. Start a squad, plan the ride, and keep everyone on one live map with group rides, which helps when traffic lights and jughandles split the group.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in New Jersey?
For curves and scenery, Old Mine Road through the Delaware Water Gap and NJ 23 up to High Point. For an easy ride, NJ 29 along the Delaware or Ocean Drive down the Cape May County islands.
When is motorcycle season in New Jersey?
Roughly April through October, with May, June, September and October the best. The shore is at its best after Labor Day.
Is lane splitting legal in New Jersey?
As of 2026, New Jersey law doesn't allow lane splitting or filtering. Several states are changing their laws, so check before you ride.
Do you have to wear a helmet in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey requires a helmet for all riders. Laws change, so check the current statute before you ride.
Is there a free motorcycle app for New Jersey riders?
Yes. Rippin' is free on iPhone and Android. Record rides, claim turf, play poker runs, add roads and find events across New Jersey.
Where are motorcycle events in New Jersey?
Bike nights, dealer events and charity rides run across North Jersey, the Delaware Valley and the shore. Open Meets in Rippin' or check the live list on this page.
Claim Jersey turf first.
Download Rippin' free, ride a loop through the Skylands or the Pines, and put your name on the New Jersey map.