Vermont road guide
The best motorcycle roads in Vermont: VT 100, the gaps and the notch
The best motorcycle roads in Vermont run along and over the Green Mountains: VT 100 up the spine of the state, the gap roads at Appalachian, Middlebury and Brandon gaps, Smugglers' Notch on VT 108, and the Molly Stark Trail across the south. Add the Lake Champlain islands and Lake Willoughby in the Northeast Kingdom. Here are 13, with where each runs, why to ride it, what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 13
- Regions
- 4
- Closed in winter
- Smugglers' Notch, Lincoln Gap
- Season
- Late May to mid-October
Before you pick
How to ride the best motorcycle roads in Vermont
Vermont's best riding follows the shape of the Green Mountains. VT 100 runs up the east side of the range for more than 200 miles, and every so often a gap road climbs over the ridge to the next valley. Link VT 100 with two or three gaps and you've built a classic Vermont day. The south adds east to west roads across the hills, and the north has lakes, islands and the empty Northeast Kingdom.
Vermont roads are shaped by winters and storms. Expect frost heaves, patched pavement, gravel in corners and the occasional washout, especially after big summer rains like the July 2023 floods. The high gap and notch roads are steep, narrow and seasonal, so check Vermont's 511 traveler information before a mountain day. For timing, see the best time to ride a motorcycle in Vermont. For laws, events and regions, start at the Vermont motorcycle rides hub.
The spine
VT 100 and Smugglers' Notch
- 1. VT 100, the spine of VermontWhy: VT 100 runs nearly the length of the state on the east side of the Green Mountains, through towns like Wilmington, Weston, Ludlow, Rochester, Waitsfield, Waterbury and Stowe. The stretch through Granville Gulf, past Moss Glen Falls, is a standout, and almost every gap road starts from it. Watch for: Village speed zones that drop fast and are enforced, frost heaves, logging trucks, cyclists and heavy foliage traffic. Best season: June to mid-October.
- 2. Smugglers' Notch (VT 108)Why: From Stowe, VT 108 climbs into a narrow notch between huge boulders and cliffs, twists through tight hairpins at the top and drops to Jeffersonville. One of the most dramatic roads in New England. Watch for: The top is barely two lanes, with blind hairpins, cars crossing the center line, hikers parked along the road and wet rock. It closes in winter, and tractor-trailers and other large vehicles aren't allowed through the notch. Best season: June to mid-October, on a weekday morning.
The gaps
The gap roads over the Green Mountains
- 3. Appalachian Gap (VT 17)Why: From Waitsfield, VT 17 climbs past Mad River Glen to the top of the gap, then drops west in steep, tight switchbacks toward the Champlain Valley. One of the best gaps in the state. Watch for: Steep grades both ways, hairpins on the west side, gravel in the corners and cyclists on the climb. Use engine braking on the way down. Best season: June to mid-October.
- 4. Middlebury Gap (VT 125)Why: VT 125 crosses from Hancock on VT 100 to East Middlebury, past the turn for Texas Falls, the Bread Loaf campus and the Robert Frost country around Ripton. Good curves through deep forest at a calmer pace than App Gap. Watch for: Hikers crossing near the Long Trail at the top, cyclists and sand on the climbs in spring. Best season: June to mid-October.
- 5. Brandon Gap (VT 73)Why: VT 73 crosses from Rochester to Brandon below the cliffs of Mount Horrid. Quiet, wooded and fun, and it pairs naturally with VT 100 and Middlebury Gap. Watch for: Sand that lingers on the climb in spring, damp shaded corners, and deer and moose. Best season: June to mid-October.
- 6. Lincoln Gap RoadWhy: The steepest and narrowest of the gaps, climbing from Warren to the Long Trail crossing and dropping to Lincoln, with a famously steep pitch near the top. Watch for: Grades that challenge heavy bikes and newer riders, a narrow road lined with hiker cars at the top, and unpaved sections. It closes in winter. Skip it on a loaded tourer or in the wet. Best season: Midsummer to early fall, dry days only.
Southern Vermont
Southern Vermont: across the hills and up the valleys
- 7. Molly Stark Trail (VT 9)Why: The main road across southern Vermont, from Brattleboro over Hogback Mountain to Wilmington and on to Bennington. Good sweepers and a big overlook near Hogback's summit. Watch for: Trucks and through traffic, limited passing zones and fog near the top. Best season: May to October.
- 8. VT 30, the West River valleyWhy: VT 30 runs northwest from Brattleboro up the West River through Newfane, Townshend and Jamaica toward Manchester, past village greens and river views, then continues north through Dorset. Watch for: Village speed zones, farm traffic and leaf peepers stopped on the shoulder. Best season: May to October.
- 9. Historic VT 7A, Bennington to ManchesterWhy: VT 7A runs north from Bennington through Arlington to Manchester between the Taconic and Green mountains, past farms, white churches and the slopes of Mount Equinox. An easy scenic ride that pairs with VT 9 and VT 30. Watch for: Shopping traffic in Manchester and slow sightseers. Best season: May to October.
- 10. US 4, Quechee to KillingtonWhy: From Quechee Gorge, US 4 runs through Woodstock, climbs past Killington and crosses Sherburne Pass toward Rutland. A main road, but a scenic one with big mountain views. Watch for: Woodstock village traffic, trucks, and busy ski and foliage weekends. Best season: May to October.
The north
The islands, the Kingdom and the far north
- 11. US 2 through the Lake Champlain IslandsWhy: US 2 crosses the causeway onto South Hero and runs north through Grand Isle and North Hero toward Alburgh, with Lake Champlain on both sides and the Adirondacks across the water. Flat, open and relaxed. Watch for: Crosswinds on the causeway, slow summer traffic and cyclists. Best season: June to September.
- 12. VT 5A along Lake WilloughbyWhy: In the Northeast Kingdom, VT 5A runs from West Burke along the shore of Lake Willoughby through Westmore, with the lake squeezed between the cliffs of Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor. One of the most striking views in the state, with very little traffic. Watch for: Narrow shoulders, frost heaves, the odd rock on the road below the cliffs and few services. Best season: June to early October.
- 13. VT 242 over Jay PeakWhy: Up near the Canadian border, VT 242 climbs from Montgomery Center past Jay Peak and drops to Jay. A short mountain road with long views north. Pair it with VT 100 for a far-north loop. Watch for: Steep grades, frost heaves, moose and quick weather changes near the top. Best season: June to early October.
Link them
Vermont loops that link the best roads
- The Mad River gap loopFrom Waitsfield, ride VT 17 over Appalachian Gap, head south on VT 116 through Bristol to East Middlebury, climb back east over Middlebury Gap on VT 125 to Hancock, then come north on VT 100 through Granville Gulf to Warren and Waitsfield. Two gaps and the best of VT 100 in one loop. Add Brandon Gap on VT 73 for a third.
- The southern Vermont loopFrom Brattleboro, ride VT 9 over Hogback Mountain to Bennington, take VT 7A north to Manchester, then follow VT 30 back down the West River valley to Brattleboro. Easy roads, big views and plenty of places to eat.
- The Kingdom dayRide the far north on VT 5A past Lake Willoughby, then work west toward Jay Peak and VT 242. Gas stations are far apart up here, so fill up whenever you can and plan the connectors with the loop builder.
Summary
Vermont motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| VT 100 | Green Mountains | Jun to mid-Oct |
| Smugglers' Notch (VT 108) | Northern Green Mountains | Jun to mid-Oct, seasonal |
| Appalachian Gap (VT 17) | The gaps | Jun to mid-Oct |
| Middlebury Gap (VT 125) | The gaps | Jun to mid-Oct |
| Brandon Gap (VT 73) | The gaps | Jun to mid-Oct |
| Lincoln Gap Road | The gaps | Midsummer to early fall, seasonal |
| Molly Stark Trail (VT 9) | Southern Vermont | May to Oct |
| VT 30 | Southern Vermont | May to Oct |
| Historic VT 7A | Southern Vermont | May to Oct |
| US 4 | Central Vermont | May to Oct |
| US 2, Champlain Islands | Champlain Valley | Jun to Sep |
| VT 5A, Lake Willoughby | Northeast Kingdom | Jun to early Oct |
| VT 242, Jay Peak | Far north | Jun to early Oct |
In the app
Vermont roads riders have added in Rippin'
Below are the Vermont roads riders have added to Rippin', pulled live from the app. Rippin' started in Southern California, and many states have only a few roads so far, so most of the gaps and notches on this page are still waiting for someone to put them on the map.
To add one, ride it with Rippin' recording, open Segments and tap Create a Segment, then set a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on the Rippin' team checks every road before it goes live, and your name stays on it. Anyone who rides through it after that lands on its board, and the crown goes to the rider who owns the road. Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads, which matters on roads like Smugglers' Notch, where the board is about who rides it, not how fast. Read more on segments and leaderboards and how roads get added.
A gap loop that closes on itself, like the Mad River loop above, also claims the land inside as turf on the live map. Empty land is free to claim.
Live from the app
Vermont on Rippin' right now.
2 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in Vermont on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
- Tue Nov 10Central Vermont HOG Chapter Social (Nov 10)Barre
- Sat Dec 12Central Vermont HOG Chapter Christmas PartyBarre
No Vermont 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.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Vermont?
VT 100 is the backbone, and the gap roads are the highlights: Appalachian Gap on VT 17, Middlebury Gap on VT 125 and Brandon Gap on VT 73. Smugglers' Notch on VT 108 is the most dramatic.
Is Smugglers' Notch good on a motorcycle?
Yes, in season and at a careful pace. It's narrow, with tight hairpins and boulders at the top, it closes in winter, and weekends bring a lot of hikers and sightseers.
Can you ride Lincoln Gap on a motorcycle?
You can, but it's very steep and narrow, with unpaved sections, and it closes in winter. It's best on a lighter bike, on a dry day, with an experienced rider.
What's the best motorcycle loop in Vermont?
A classic is Waitsfield over Appalachian Gap on VT 17, south on VT 116, back over Middlebury Gap on VT 125, then north on VT 100 through Granville Gulf.
Are Vermont roads rough on a motorcycle?
Many are. Frost heaves, patched pavement and gravel in corners are common, especially in spring and on back roads. Read the surface ahead and keep some suspension travel in reserve.
Can I add a Vermont road to Rippin'?
Yes. Ride it with Rippin' recording and use Create a Segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it.
Put a Vermont gap on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride a gap with it recording and add it. Your name stays on it.
Free on iPhone and Android. How Rippin' works
