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655 Washington Avenue, 07109 BellevilleView map
Newark is a rider's gateway to New York: the EagleRider branch is at 655 Washington Avenue, in Belleville, just north of the city. Manhattan is 14 km away as the crow flies and Newark Liberty airport about 13 km. You pick up the motorcycle in the morning and, in under an hour, the traffic thins out.
From New Jersey, three directions open up: the Palisades cliffs and Bear Mountain to the north, the Delaware Water Gap to the west, the Atlantic coast to the south. Here, the view of the skyscrapers is only a starting backdrop; the real trip begins beyond the tolls.
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Where to pick up your vehicle in Newark?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Newark
1 Palisades and Bear Mountain
- Belleville
- Fort Lee
- Palisades Parkway
- Bear Mountain
- Harriman
- Nyack
- Belleville
Cross the George Washington Bridge and take the Palisades Interstate Parkway, which runs along the Hudson beneath the cliffs, with viewpoints over the city. It leads to Bear Mountain, where Route 9W climbs to the suspension bridge and Harriman Forest.
Come back down on 9W and through Nyack, riverside villages. It is the simplest day for a first day on a motorcycle: good roads, little elevation and plenty of stops for lunch.
- Distance
- about 200 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Roadster or Softail, very comfortable on winding roads
2 Delaware Water Gap and High Point
- Belleville
- Route 23
- High Point
- Milford
- Delaware Water Gap
- Belleville
Head west on Route 23 and the lakes of northern New Jersey, then High Point, the state's highest summit. Then drop down towards the Delaware, which forms the border with Pennsylvania, and follow the river to the Delaware Water Gap, a gorge in the Appalachians.
Route 209, on the Pennsylvania side, crosses villages and forests with almost no traffic. Rules may change at the border: check before crossing a bridge.
- Distance
- about 330 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Light touring bike or adventure bike for the back roads
3 Jersey Shore: Sandy Hook, Asbury Park and Point Pleasant
- Belleville
- Sandy Hook
- Asbury Park
- Spring Lake
- Point Pleasant Beach
- Belleville
Head down the Garden State Parkway to Sandy Hook, a sandy peninsula facing New York. Continue to Asbury Park, its boardwalk and its concerts, then Spring Lake and Point Pleasant Beach.
Return on Routes 35 and 34 for a change of scenery between lagoons and villages. Avoid the coast on summer weekends: it is then saturated.
- Distance
- about 250 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Cruiser or touring bike for an effortless coastal ride
Weather and seasons
When to go in Newark?
Best time
May, June, September and October
May to June, September to October
highs 19 to 27 °C, lows 10 to 17 °C
The best time for the Palisades and the Delaware Water Gap: an average high of 21 °C in May, 26.8 °C in June, 24.9 °C in September and 19.1 °C in October. Rainfall stays between 92 and 127 mm a month. The late October foliage is superb on Bear Mountain.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 28.4 to 30.1 °C, lows 19.6 to 20.6 °C
Summer is muggy: a high of 30.1 °C in July and 28.4 °C in August, with lows close to 20 °C. July receives 142 mm of rain, in stormy afternoon showers. The coast is packed; prefer the northern mountains and set off early.
Winter
December to February
December to February
highs 4 to 7 °C, lows -3.6 to -1.4 °C
Winter is cold, with highs of 4 to 7 °C and sub-zero nights. Salt and ice on the roads discourage going out. Sunny days are short, 5.7 hours in December: better to visit the city and keep the motorcycle for spring.
Climate in Newark, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4 °C | -4 °C | 92 mm | 6 h/day | 3 °C |
| Feb | 7 °C | -3 °C | 91 mm | 7 h/day | 4 °C |
| Mar | 11 °C | 1 °C | 118 mm | 8 h/day | 7 °C |
| Apr | 16 °C | 6 °C | 117 mm | 9 h/day | 12 °C |
| May | 21 °C | 11 °C | 109 mm | 10 h/day | 17 °C |
| Jun | 27 °C | 17 °C | 92 mm | 11 h/day | 23 °C |
| Jul | 30 °C | 21 °C | 142 mm | 12 h/day | 28 °C |
| Aug | 28 °C | 20 °C | 101 mm | 11 h/day | 27 °C |
| Sep | 25 °C | 16 °C | 126 mm | 9 h/day | 24 °C |
| Oct | 19 °C | 10 °C | 127 mm | 8 h/day | 18 °C |
| Nov | 12 °C | 3 °C | 78 mm | 7 h/day | 12 °C |
| Dec | 6 °C | -1 °C | 111 mm | 6 h/day | 5 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Helmets compulsory in New Jersey
New Jersey requires helmets for riders and passengers. In New York and Pennsylvania, the rules differ: New York State requires one too, for Pennsylvania check. Ask the rental company what equipment is provided before you leave.
Tolls and bridges at the city entrance
The bridges and tunnels to Manhattan, the George Washington Bridge and the Garden State Parkway all charge a toll, often collected by tag. Check with the rental company how to pay on a motorcycle before you ride.
Avoiding rush hour
The approaches to New York are saturated from 7 to 9:30 am and from 4 to 7 pm. Set off after the peak, without filtering between cars: this practice is prohibited in New Jersey.
Damaged road surfaces
Potholes, manhole covers and cracks abound after winter. Look far ahead, keep a comfortable distance and avoid hard braking on wet plates.
Fill up before the mountains
In New Jersey, the law forbids filling up yourself at most petrol stations: an attendant does it. On mountain and forest roads, do it early, as stations become sparse.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Newark
Where do I pick up my motorcycle in Newark?
At the EagleRider branch at 655 Washington Avenue, in Belleville, just north of Newark. Newark Liberty airport is about 13 km away as the crow flies. Pick-up times are given in your confirmation.
Can I leave from Manhattan on a motorcycle?
Yes: the branch is 14 km from Manhattan in a straight line, linked by tunnels and bridges. For a departure further north in the state, look at the Troy branch, near Albany, attached to the New York page.
Which motorcycle should I choose?
For the Palisades and the coast, a Harley Street Glide, an Indian Scout Sixty or a Triumph Bonneville. For long stages, a BMW K 1600 GTL. The models offered vary with the branch and the calendar.
How many days should I allow?
One day is enough for the Palisades or the coast. Allow two days for the Delaware Water Gap with the Pennsylvania roads, and three with Bear Mountain and the Catskills.
Can I return the motorcycle elsewhere?
Returning the motorcycle elsewhere remains to be confirmed when you book. EagleRider also has branches in Boston and near Washington: test your route in the search engine.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Motorcycle rental in Newark
What licence do I need to rent a motorcycle in New Jersey?
The motorcycle licence from your country, category A in Europe, is required. Depending on the country of issue, the rental company may ask for an international permit. The age and experience required vary with the motorcycle.
Can I carry a passenger?
Yes, on motorcycles with a double seat or a backrest. The passenger must wear a helmet in New Jersey. The Harley Street Glide and Road Glide are comfortable for long two-up stages.
Where do I put my luggage?
Touring bikes have saddlebags and a top case; on a roadster, you need a saddle bag. Leave most of it at the hotel if you are going out for a day.
Are there tolls on these roads?
Yes, the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike and the bridges to New York are toll roads. Amounts change: check the rates before you leave.
When should I book?
Book a few weeks ahead for summer and for the October foliage. Enter your dates to see the free motorcycles.
About us
Why ride from Newark
Newark opens up New York without the trap of central traffic. In under an hour, you go from the towers of Midtown to the Palisades cliffs, the forests of Bear Mountain or the dunes of Sandy Hook. No other major East Coast city offers as much variety within two hours in the saddle.
For a longer trip north, Troy, near Albany, opens up the Catskills and the Adirondacks; Boston or Washington DC offer other loops. From Newark, rather stay in New Jersey, the Palisades and the coast, with a motorcycle chosen to your taste: roadster, touring bike or cruiser.
Other departure cities
Rent elsewhere in the United States
Route 66 · Chicago → Los Angeles
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