I don’t ride a motorcycle myself, but I’ve got plenty of friends who do, and they all say there’s nothing quite like exploring the open road on two wheels. With 3.9 million miles of roadways in the U.S., picking the right routes to explore can feel overwhelming.
The best motorcycle road trips, though, have a perfect mix of open spaces, incredible views, and interesting tourist destinations to keep you entertained the whole way. Once you’ve got the right bike for your size, it’s all about being prepared. Pack tools for every possible scenario and clothes for all kinds of weather, from sun-baked deserts and snowy mountain peaks to dreamy sandy beaches. Oh, and don’t forget to stock up on snacks for those all-important pit stops. These are the best motorcycle road trips in America.
Pacific Coast Highway, Washington, Oregon, and California
When putting together a list of bucket list road trips to embark on before you die, California’s Pacific Coast Highway has to be near the top. While the PCH runs north to south following Highway 1 on the coast, it begins in Washington and goes all the way to San Diego. For our purposes, we suggest you start in Southern Oregon and kick off the trip with the Redwood National Forest.
Not only will you get the opportunity to see one of the most majestic state parks in the country, but you will also get to experience Big Sur, Monterey, and some of the best stretches of beach you can get to without a plane. Stop off at a few of the many viewpoints and listen to the waves while you eat lunch or snacks. Don’t forget to check out the Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard Street in San Francisco and Hollywood in Los Angeles.
Starting at Coos Bay in Oregon and traveling the 1,080 miles is a great way to spend four days on the road. And when you stop in San Clemente, California, do yourself a favor and stop off at the Rainbow Sandals at their flagship store and warehouse. They are the best sandals you will ever find and will last you until the next time you make it out to the coast.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Now that you have seen the ocean and experienced the water for four days, you can move inland for a more leisurely ride through the desert for half the time. Utah’s Scenic Byway 12, dubbed an All-American road, is littered with some of the most beautiful landscapes the Southwest has to offer.
Some of the biggest draws of this trip will be the geological wonders that bring people from all over the country to hike, camp, and shoot for the gram. Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks are on either side of the road as it worms through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, showcasing nearly two million acres of desert beauty and multi-hued pinnacles, arches, and cliffs.
While the Pacific Coast Highway road trip is four days long and spans over 1,000 miles, the Scenic Byway 12 trip can be done in a few hours if you want to simply drive through it. However, we wouldn’t suggest passing up the opportunity to take a few days to explore all the desert has to offer.
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana
It may seem like these trips are getting shorter and shorter, and it’s true that Going-to-the-Sun Road in Montana is the shortest so far. While others require you to take time off of work, this one can be done in one afternoon. You have seen the beach on the coast and the desert in the Southwest. Now it is time to don the leather jacket and check out the mountains in the North.
Glacier National Park has dozens of roads and trails you can traverse to experience the everchanging glaciers, cascading waterfalls, wide-open valleys, epic mountains, and colorful wildflowers. You will also more than likely be lucky enough to see some wildlife as you ride your motorcycle over what can only be described as awe-inspiring.
The shortest so far, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is only 50 miles long and may be more suitable for a Sunday drive than a specific trip. However, it will take longer than you think since it is only between 25 mph at the higher elevations and 45 mph at the lower. Even though you can’t open up your hog and feel the wind blowing through your hair like you can in other places, this trip will remind you to slow down and enjoy the wonder that is the world around you.
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina and Virginia
From the West’s beaches, deserts, and mountains to the forests and wilderness of the East, the Blue Ridge Parkway ride will be the creme de la creme of motorcycle trips in the U.S. The journey is the go-to for
From exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Shenandoah National Park to the Civil War battlefields, Virginia and North Carolina have plenty to boast about when it comes to their motorcycle nirvana. While you may be thinking about a 500-mile stretch from Afton, Virgina to Cherokee, North Carolina, on a 45 mph two-lane highway to slow down your life, someone else may be dreaming of navigating the Back of the Dragon. The former is a blissful jaunt through a peaceful forest. The latter is the kind of
With over 1,500 miles of byways in the area of three mountain ranges, this can be an afternoon ride or another week-long vacation from reality.
Route 66
“Get your kicks … on Route 66.”
There may not be a more famous road in the whole of the U.S. Rodeo Drive and 5th Avenue may be the place to go if you want a new pair of dress shoes or a suit, but if it is Americana you are on the hunt for, this trip that will take you from Chicago to Los Angeles is perhaps the most epic American road trip in existence.
The nearly 2,500-mile stretch of roads begins in Chicago and hits St. Louis, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, and Barstow, and ends in Los Angeles. Because this was the country’s first fully paved highway in the 1930s, Route 66 became the path to the West. Now, you can ride it from one city to the next and pick up memorabilia, discover small-town America, and sample the best comfort food along the way.
Since it is twice as long as the four-day PCH road trip, this undertaking would need a good week to ten days if you want to experience all they have to offer. Remember that Santa Fe and Las Vegas are mere miles from Route 66 and will keep you debating extending the trip for longer.
Dalton Highway, Alaska
The Dalton Highway, also known as the “Haul Road,” is as wild as it gets. Stretching 414 miles from Livengood to Deadhorse in Alaska, it was originally built in the ’70s to support the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and was only open to truckers hauling supplies to the oil fields at Purdhoe Bay. Today, it’s a rugged and remote route for adventurous souls looking to experience one of the most isolated parts of North America.
To start your journey, you’ll head 83 miles north of Fairbanks to Mile 1, where a big sign marks the official beginning of the Dalton Highway. From there, prepare yourself for a road with very few stops. Some stretches have up to 245 miles between fuel stops, so you’ll want to be fully prepared. This ride isn’t for beginners, and prior experience in mountainous and hazardous conditions is a must. A satellite communication device is also a good idea, since cell service is practically nonexistent.
A few notable stops along the way include Finger Mountain at Mile 98, where you can stretch your legs and check out a finger-shaped rock formation. At Mile 115, you’ll find a pull-off with a campground and the iconic Arctic Circle sign for a perfect photo op. About six to seven hours from Fairbanks, you’ll hit Mile 175, Coldfoot Camp, where you can refuel or even stay the night.
Finally, at Mile 417, you’ll reach Deadhorse Camp, which is about 14 hours from Fairbanks. While you can’t access the famous Prudhoe Bay on your own, the Northern Alaska Tour Company offers tours to see the Arctic Ocean.
Now that you have the motorcycle, the plan, and the desire to capture America from the saddle, the hardest part is getting the time off work.
