Central New Jersey is full of lovely sights, from forests to riverside highways. Whether you’re just looking for a nice afternoon or you’re riding through the state, New Jersey has a lot to offer by way of great motorcycle routes.
Central Jersey – depending on where you put the cutoff point – contains three of our “Scenic Byways.” These are routes specifically set by the state as great scenic routes to drive or ride. These three are the Delaware River, Millstone Valley, and Upper Freehold byways. When riding, always make sure to follow the rules of the road, pack emergency gear, and keep a motorcycle lawyer’s number on standby in case you get into an accident.
For a free review of your potential case, call Trenton, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman today at 1-800-529-4464.
Delaware River Scenic Byway
Established as a scenic byway in 2009, the Delaware River Scenic Byway is a 34-mile-long ride alongside the Delaware River. The route passes through historical sites like Washington’s Crossing State Park, where George Washington took his troops across the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War.
The route also goes through multiple towns along the Pennsylvania border, running from near Trenton up through Ewing, past Solebury, and further north. Along the way are campsites and other lodging accommodations, if your goal is to make a weekend out of the ride.
Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Scenic Byway
If you love farms and fields, the Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Scenic Byway is a can’t-miss route. This 28-mile route was established as a scenic byway in 2006, but the farms you will see have historic roots in some of the first European groups to move into New Jersey.
Some of the buildings you can see along the route are from colonial days, with the original construction and dimensions preserved over the years. This includes buildings like the Old Yellow Meeting House, built in 1737 as a house of worship and meeting house. The attached graveyard’s earliest dated burial was in 1723.
The Scenic Byways website touts fishing, biking, and sightseeing along the way. This byway is also a loop, making it perfect for a day trip. It’s quite accessible from I-95 and I-195.
Millstone Valley Scenic Byway
The Millstone Valley Scenic Byway is a 25-mile route designated as a scenic byway in 2009. This route shows off some of the rivers, canals, and other waterways through Central Jersey, with the historical millhouses, plus the lockhouses to operate the canals, along the way.
Like much of Central Jersey, there are also plenty of farms and farmlands to see along this route. However, much of the route runs right along the Millstone River, whether it runs through the woods or open land. Because of how much the scenery changes along this route, you are unlikely to get bored.
This route is a pretty straight shot from the Princeton area then North past Plainsboro. This makes it an excellent route to pick up instead of passing through some of the north-south highway routes in the area.
Planning for a Trip Through Central Jersey
We tried to keep this list as “central” as we can, but if you’re looking to incorporate these scenic routes into a larger trip up and down the entirety of New Jersey, you should look at how these routes line up to see how to connect them.
Headed north, we would recommend taking the Upper Freehold route, then picking whether you want to go west to connect to the Delaware River byway or north to the Millstone Valley byway. If you pick the Delaware River byway, you can connect further into North Jersey into the Warren Heritage route. Obviously, these routes can also be done in reverse order.
Down in South Jersey, none of the routes directly aim or connect toward the Pine Barrens or Bayshore Heritage routes – the two byways in South Jersey – so you can connect through to these routes however you’d like.
What to Do if You’re in a Motorcycle Accident on a Scenic Byway
If you end up in a crash while out on one of these scenic routes, do not panic. Take the following steps to report the accident and start your potential claim:
Call 911
If your cell phone is working, it doesn’t really matter where in the state you are. The local or state police can get to you in an emergency on basically any route in the state and render aid.
The police need to be called for any crash involving injury, so report the accident.
Get Medical Help
911 can also send an ambulance to treat any small injuries or take you to the nearest hospital for more serious injuries. If you have to go to the hospital, go and get all of the treatment you need.
Do not reject treatment or try to “walk it off” – trust the medical professionals.
Call a Lawyer
You can certainly report the crash to your family and loved ones so they know you are okay, but your next call should be to a lawyer. Our New Brunswick, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer can help you file insurance claims and get the damages you need through claims against the defendant.
File Insurance Claims
In New Jersey, car insurance works on a “no-fault” system. That means every driver has “PIP” (personal injury protection) insurance that pays for their own injuries.
Motorcycles are different, and we use an “at-fault” system. That means you file your claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance, or you sue them in court directly.
Negotiations
Let our lawyers negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement value. Never trust them to have your best interests at heart or to accurately put a price on the case. Review any settlement offers with us, and only sign them once you get your lawyer’s approval.
What to Bring on a Scenic Motorcycle Trip
Any time you are going out on a longer trip, especially if you are going off the beaten path, you should bring some emergency supplies:
- Extra water
- Some snacks
- Blankets or an extra coat.
If you are biking through and plan on camping on the way, you probably know well enough what supplies you need to bring.
Always take into account the season. New Jersey gets very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter, so definitely account for that with extra water on hot days and extra warmth, even in the fall.
Call Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
Call Somerville, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman at 1-800-529-4464 for a free case evaluation if you were hurt in a motorcycle accident.