Best Motorcycle Roads & Destinations in Rhode Island, United States

If you have never gone on a motorcycle trip before or just prefer to travel through a smaller region, you should plan an excursion to Rhode Island or “the Ocean State.” Most of the roads you will travel on will pass through two major areas: the Coastal Lowland and the New England Upland. If you travel towards the New England Upland in the northwest, you will encounter rough terrain and rolling hills filled with dense forests and scattered lakes. On the other hand, if you go towards the Coastal Lowland in the southeast, you will encounter flat lowlands, sandy beaches, and salty marshes.

If you have no idea what you should be looking for, you are just going to wander around Rhode Island aimlessly. This article will list out some notable landmarks close to the roads you may travel while in Rhode Island.

Distance: 53 miles
Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Start: Smithfield
End: Point Judith, Narragansett

Heading south out of Smithfield, you will pass in between George Washington Picnic Grove and Stillwater Reservoir. You may catch a glimpse of Stump Pond which is close to the edges of Stillwater Reservoir. Continuing to wind around Pleasant View Avenue, you will pass by Phillips Land and Burgess Field.

As you swerve around the northern tip of the Scituate Reservoir, you will pass by the site of the Scituate Art Festival if you happen to be visiting during the right season. When you get close to Barden Reservoir, you will be near Grover C. Walker Memorial and Ponaganset Falls.

Turning onto Rhode Island Route 102, you will pass by several wilderness areas including Audubon George Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, Audubon Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Big River Management Area, and Cuttyhunk Brook Preserve. Transitioning onto Rhode Island Route 4, you will pass within the vicinity of Lafayette Hatchery, Belleville Pond, Ryan Park, and Secret Lake.

Making the final push on U.S. Route 1 towards Point Judith, you will pass by Narrow River, Indian Lake, Hannah Robinson Rock & Tower, Treaty Rock, Pettaquamscutt Cove, and John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge.

Distance: 58 miles
Time: 1 hour 19 minutes
Start: Branch Village
End: Newport

Embarking southwest away from Branch Village, you will coast around the northern edges of the Slatersville Reservoirs before resuming on your way via Rhode Island Route 102. Turning straight south, you will be able to make out Hopkins Woodland Town Forest and Smith & Sayles Reservoir in the distance.

Turning onto Rhode Island Route 102, you will pass by several wilderness areas including Audubon George Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, Audubon Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Big River Management Area, and Cuttyhunk Brook Preserve. Turning eastward, you will begin to cross over towards the collection of islands along the southern region of Rhode Island.

As you cross over via Rhode Island Route 138, you will catch sight of Plum Beach Light and Dutch Island Lighthouse sitting in the water. You will pass by Marsh Meadows Wildlife Preserve before you cross Claiborne Pell/Newport Bridge to get to Newport.

Distance: 29 miles
Time: 46 minutes
Start: Coventry
End: Coventry

Leaving Coventry, you will head west by traveling parallel to South Branch Pawtuxet River, beside Flat River Reservoir, and in the vicinity of Stump Pond. Upon making it past West Coventry, you will have cleared the bottom side of the loop.

Turning northward onto Rhode Island Route 102, you will come close to Audubon George Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, Westconnaug Reservoir, and Ponaganset Falls. When you meet the intersection with Rhode Island Route 14, you have completed the left side of the loop.

Traveling eastward on Rhode Island Route 14, you will cross Scituate Reservoir Bridge which will give you the chance to admire the glittering surface of Scituate Reservoir. Making it to East Road, you will have made it to the end of the top side of the loop.

Transitioning onto Rhode Island Route 116, you will begin making the return trip south back to Coventry. You will clear the eastern edge of Scituate Reservoir, travel over Pawtuxet River, and pass by Black Rock Reservoir, Upper Dam Pond, and Middle Dam Pond. 

Distance: 24 miles
Time: 53 minutes
Start: Plum Point, North Kingstown
End: Plum Point, North Kingstown

Starting in Plum Point, you can grab a quick bite to eat at the Plum Point Bistro. You can also check out the shoreline by walking along the lengths of Plum Point Beach and Plum Beach. You will then head east, crossing over Jamestown Bridge until you are on the island Jamestown is on.

Turning straight south on North Road, you will pass by the Windmill Hill Historic District and Marsh Meadows Wildlife Preserve. Upon arriving in Jamestown, you can check out the Jamestown Fire Memorial Museum, the Jamestown Windmill, East Ferry Beach, and the Jamestown Historical Society.

Making your way to the southern tip of the island, you will pass by Mackerel Cove Beach, Daughters of the American Revolution Memorial, Conanicut Battery Historic Park, and Beavertail State Park.

Making your return trip, you will take a different route by heading northward on East Shore Road. You will travel beside Conanicut Island Sanctuary, Taylor Point Lookout, Potter Cove, Cranston Cove, and Conanicut Island Lighthouse at the northern tip of the island. 

Distance: 16 miles
Time: 38 minutes
Start: South Portsmouth, Portsmouth
End: Lakeview Avenue, Newport

Departing southward away from South Portsmouth, you will encounter Little Creek Preserve, Albro Woods, and Greenvale Vineyards as you head towards Wapping Road. Further along, when you are traveling on 3rd Beach Road, you will pass by Howland Park, Demery Park, Norman Bird Sanctuary, Peabody’s Beach, and Third Beach.

Traveling westward on Memorial Boulevard between Easton Pond and Easton Bay, you will have the opportunity to visit Save the Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium or Easton’s Beach.

Winding around the southern coast of the island, you will be able to spend time on different beach fronts including King Park Beach, Collins Beach, King’s Beach, Hazard’s Beach, Gooseberry Beach, and Bailey Beach. There is also no shortage of landmarks such as Beacon Rock, the Reef Estate Tower “Bells,” Portuguese Discovery Monument, and the Belcourt of Newport. 

Distance: 23 miles
Time: 43 minutes
Start: Providence
End: 2595 Providence Pike

Starting in Providence, you have the opportunity to visit many historical and artistic establishments including the Lippitt House Museum, John Brown House Museum, Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art, and Rhode Island School of Design Museum. Despite being in the center of an urban area, you will find many tranquil locations such as Waterplace Park, Burnside Park, and Roger Williams National Memorial.

Leaving the city behind, you will head westward on Putnam Pike. You will cross over Woonasquatucket River, Sebille Pond, Slack Reservoir, Ken Weber Conservation Area at Cascade Brook, and Waterman Reservoir.

After clearing the halfway point, you will continue to head westward which will get you close to Sprague Farm Town Forest, Pascoag Reservoir, Pulaski/Washington State Forest, and Hawkins Pond Town Forest. The end of the route should be on top of the border between Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Distance: 21 miles
Time: 33 minutes
Start: Richmond
End: Misquamicut State Beach

After leaving Richmond, you will turn southward by traveling via Rhode Island Route 112. As you wind around, you will travel close to Grass Pond Management Area, Carolina Management Area, and American Fish Woods. Upon making it down to Charleston, you should be able to make out Tautog Cove and Cross Mills Pond in the distance. You can also check out the former site of Fort Ninigret and walk on Ninigret Beach.

Turning westward on U.S. Route 1, you will travel close to and pass through a large array of natural areas including Ninigret Park, Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, Watchaug Pond, Burlingame Management Area, Woody Hill Management Area, and Quonochontaug Pond.

As you draw closer to Misquamicut State Beach, you will pass by Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park and Audubon Lathrop Wildlife Refuge. Upon making it your destination, you can go to Atlantic Beach Park if you are looking for fun attractions. 

Distance: 53 miles
Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
Start: Saunderstown
End: Saunderstown

Heading northward on Rhode Island Route 1A, you will pass by King/Benson Preserve, Casey Farm, and John H. Chafee Rome Point Preserve. As you draw closer to North Kingstown, you will be able to admire Lotus Pond and North Kingstown Town Beach. After you have reached Wickford Cove, you will have cleared the right side of the loop.

Traveling westward on the top side of the loop, you will first ride atop Rhode Island Route 102. You will pass by Queen’s River Macrosite, Cuttyhunk Brook Preserve, and Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge. You will then transition onto Rhode Island Route 165, you will be able to visit J.B. Hudson Trailhead, Mt. Tom Trailhead, Wood River Arcadia Management Area, Tippecansett Trailhead, and Hemlock Ledges Overlook.

Crossing over into Connecticut, you will get to admire Beach Pond before you turn back around towards Rhode Island via Rhode Island Route 138. Traveling on the bottom side of the loop, you will pass by Arcadia Ponds, Wincheck Pond, Locustville Pond, Green Pond Management Area, University of Rhode Island, and Narrow River. You will eventually arrive back in Saunderstown.

Distance: 13 miles
Time: 23 minutes
Start: Sakonnet Point, Little Compton
End: Tiverton

At Sakonnet Point, you can get a glimpse of Sakonnet Lighthouse sitting atop Little Cormorant Rock. Scattered around the southern edge of the island, you should be able to make out Round Pond, Long Pond, and Lloyd’s Beach.

Turning northward via Rhode Island Route 77, you will encounter Wilbour Woods, the Little Compton Historical Society, Sakonnet Garden, and Hope’s Path. Approaching the halfway point, you will be within the vicinity of Watson Reservoir, Donovan Marsh, Nonquit Pond, and Toste Farm.

Continuing to travel north, you will come across Weetamoo Woods & Pardon Gray Preserve, Old Main Road Woods, Tiverton Town Farm Recreation Area, Audubon Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, and Nanaquaket Pond. You will soon arrive in Tiverton and complete this route.

Distance: 23 miles
Time: 41 minutes
Start: Little Compton
End: Little Compton

Traveling northward via Willow Ave until you turn right on Peckham Road. You will be within proximity to Watson Reservoir and Quicksand/Simmons Mill Pond. Turning back north on Long Highway, you will find the entrance to Simmons Mill Management Area. When you have reached where Brayton Road and Bulgarmarsh Road meet, you will have completed the left side of the loop.

Riding a short distance on the top side of the loop, you should be able to make out Stafford Pond just north of you. If you are willing to take a slight detour, you can check out Sandywoods Center for the Arts.

Turning southward via Rhode Island Route 81, you will travel parallel to the border between Rhode Island and Massachusetts. This section of the route is typically easy to navigate which makes for a leisurely ride. You should pass by St. Vincent De Paul Camp and Simmons Pond Swamp

Curving back towards Little Compton on the bottom side of the loop, you should be able to discern the surfaces of Quicksand Pond and South Shore Beach. Before you arrive at the final destination, you will swerve close to the outskirts of Wilbur Woods.

Riders who fall under the age of 21 must be wearing either a three-quarter or full-face helmet.

When checking the quality of the motorcycle helmet, make sure that it does not inhibit your ability to swivel your head, can stay secure around your head without shifting, and has no scratches or cracks in the exterior.

As there is no legal age for who is allowed to ride on your motorcycle, you must be prudent when deciding the qualities of an individual fit to be a passenger. Like the riders, motorcycle passengers below 21 years old must have a motorcycle helmet on.

You should seat your passenger in either a sidecar or another pillion. Either one can provide good footing and handholds for your passenger.

In Rhode Island, you must have your motorcycle looked over for both safety and vehicle inspections at least once before June 20th every year.

Riding a motorcycle is much riskier than steering a car since you do not have the benefits of a canopy or a seatbelt. Having all of your motorcycle’s parts operational guarantees you can signal, turn, brake, etc. promptly which will hopefully keep you out of a hospital.

• Horn
• Wheels
• Tires
• Handlebars 
• Brake System
• Controls
• Headlight 
• Taillight
• Brake Light
• Turn Signals
• Exhaust System
• Muffler
• Rearview Mirrors

The road laws in Rhode Island do not condone lane splitting by motorcyclists. Failure to comply could result in intervention by the police and being given hefty fines for public endangerment.

You can get a more thorough explanation of the Rhode Island motorcycle laws if you click the link here. 

Though smaller in scale compared to other states in the U.S., that just means everywhere you want to see in Rhode Island is now within reach of your motorcycle. From the coastal beaches beside the Atlantic Ocean to the small remnants of colonial towns, there are places rich with attractions throughout Rhode Island. Gas up your motorcycle, get out the directions for your route and go forth on your Rhode Island trip.