Vermont motorcycle rides: VT 100, the mountain gaps and Smugglers' Notch

Vermont has no big cities, few billboards and a mountain range down the middle with roads cut over it every few miles. That shape is what makes it a riding state. You run up one valley, climb a gap, drop into the next valley and do it again.

The Green Mountains are the spine, with VT 100 on the east side and the gaps (Appalachian, Middlebury, Brandon and others) crossing over. The Champlain Valley in the west is open farmland with lake views and ferries to New York. Southern Vermont has the Molly Stark Trail, the West River valley and the towns around Manchester. The Northeast Kingdom is remote: lakes, woods, moose and long gaps between gas stations. The Connecticut River valley runs along the New Hampshire line.

Roads here are shaped by weather. Frost heaves, patched pavement and gravel back roads are part of the deal, and storm damage has hit hard before: Tropical Storm Irene washed out roads and bridges across Vermont in 2011. Ride with that in mind and the state pays you back.

Plan on May to October. April is mud season, when dirt roads thaw into soup and paved roads are covered in sand, and snow is possible in the mountains into May. The high notch roads like Smugglers' Notch open only after the snow is gone and close again for winter.

Summer is green, cool in the mountains and busy on weekends. Thunderstorms build fast over the ridges in the afternoon.

Foliage is the main event. Color usually peaks in the north and at elevation in late September and works south and downhill into mid October. It is the best riding of the year and the busiest, with cars stopping in the road for photos. Ride early, ride midweek, and book rooms well ahead. By late October the mountains can see snow again.

Helmets: Vermont requires a helmet for every rider and passenger, at every age. See the IIHS helmet law overview for how Vermont compares with other states.

Lane splitting and filtering: As of 2026, Vermont law doesn't allow lane splitting or filtering. Several states are changing their laws, so check before you ride.

Vermont sits between two of the biggest rallies in the Northeast. Laconia Motorcycle Week in New Hampshire usually runs in June, and Americade on Lake George, New York, also usually in June, is just across Lake Champlain. The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride runs worldwide each May. Check the organizer for dates.

In Vermont itself the calendar is small and local: bike nights, spring blessing of the bikes rides, charity rides and fall foliage runs. In Rippin', open Meets to see what is near you and RSVP, and post your own ride so other riders can find it. See motorcycle events in the app.

Rippin' is a free motorcycle app for iPhone and Android. Tap Record Ride, ride the gaps, and get a Ride Wrapped recap of your map, miles, turf and points at the end. Every town you ride through can earn a passport stamp; see passport and badges.

Rippin' started in Southern California, and Vermont has few riders and roads in the app so far. That is good news for anyone who rides here. In Turf Wars, any loop that closes back on itself claims the land inside, and empty land is free. Loop App Gap with VT 100 and Middlebury Gap and you claim a big piece of the Green Mountains.

General stores, cafes and shops can become poker stops through the partners page, and riders can nominate stops; see how poker runs work. Add a favorite gap road with Create a Segment, start a squad for your crew, and post your foliage ride so others can join.