25 Best Motorcycle Trips to Tour America’s Wide-Open Spaces

Hudson Valley Wilderness Loop

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The Route

Heavy traffic is no place for a motorcycle. Anytime I find myself in New York on business and need to get away for the weekend, I know there’s one motorcycle ride near me I can always count on for fresh air. Escape the city heading north on Highway 9, and keep on trucking along the Hudson River until you hit 23 West and cross the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. From here, you’ll enter Catskill State Park, then turn back south.

Making your way back to the city, you’ll roll through Minnewaska State Park before catching the 208 all the way down into Harriman State Park and up into Bear Mountain State Park. Next, you’ll cross Bear Mountain Bridge and make your way back to civilization, dropping back down on Highway 9 and completing the loop.

Where to Stay

If rustic cabins aren’t your thing, Hotel Mountain Brook is a great luxury lodge in the Catskills that splits this loop neatly in two. (Check out the 15 best hotels in the Catskills.) You’ve got no shortage of lodging around New York City proper, but consider getting a head start and booking a room up around Yonkers for convenience.

Insider Tip

This route clocks in at around 250 miles point to point, but there’s no rush to tackle it all in a single day. Between the beautiful parks, river views, and laundry list of historical sites like the Roosevelt Presidential Library and Vanderbilt Mansion, you’d be wise to take it slow and make a three-day weekend out of this loop.

Pennsylvania Push

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The Route

While most folks know Pennsylvania for Hershey’s chocolate and French fries on salad, it’s actually home to a surprising number of outstanding motorcycle roads. Roads like Route 666, Route 113, and Gold Mine Road are known for their challenging turns and epic views, while alternatives like Grand Army of the Republic Highway and the historic Lincoln Highway/30 West serve up a slower pace that feels custom-made for bagger touring.

Where to Stay 

Cove Haven Resort offers up nice digs with views of the Pocono Mountains and Lake Wallenpaupack, while also being central to the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, which bisects the state for easy access to multiple areas.

Insider Tip

If you’ve got time, consider working Route 66 into your schedule as well. Both the route and scenery through Alleghany National Forest are worth the detour. 

Vermont Smuggler’s Run

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The Route

Head up into Cambridge over Mt. Mansfield via Route 108 (aka “Smuggler’s Notch”), hang a right on Route 15, then drop back down on Route 100 to get the full experience of Vermont’s rugged countryside. A day trip out to Mt. Washington is also a worthwhile detour—and right up to the summit via Mt. Washington Auto Road when weather permits.

Where to Stay

The Lodge at Spruce Peak Hotel is hands down the sweetest spot to stay in the area, and central to some of the best riding in the state of Vermont.

Insider Tip

While the lush green of spring and summer are beautiful in their own right, fall in Vermont is not to be missed. The riding weather is excellent, and autumn colors here are arguably the most dramatic in the country. 

The Best of Daytona The Route

Catch the A1A coastal highway outside of Jacksonville, FL, and ride south until you hit Daytona Beach proper. Once you’ve arrived, be sure to take advantage of the nearby “Ormond Scenic Loop” which runs north of the city through Bulow Creek State Park and Tamoka State Park before dropping you back out on the A1A at Flagler Beach. Remember, Daytona is one of the few places in the U.S. that allows you to ride your bike directly on the beach, so be sure to take advantage while you’re in town.

Where to Stay

There are dozens of resort hotels on Daytona Beach. I’ve never had a bad experience with a hotel in the area, but my favorites to date are either the Hard Rock or the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort.

Insider Tip

There are two reasons to bring a motorcycle to Daytona Beach: wild biker rallies and relaxation. If you want the former, plan on heading down at the beginning of March for the famed “Daytona Bike Week” or “Biketoberfest” at the end of October. If you want the latter, my favorite time to go is between April and May, as the race and party traffic subsides but the weather remains impeccable. 

North Georgia Mountain Tour

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The Route

I’ve lived in Georgia for years, and I’m always blown away by both the quality and quantity of outstanding rides around the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest area. The best route I’d point newcomers to is “The Gauntlet,” a 130-plus mile loop out of Suches that features several of the area’s finest roads, including Wolf Pen Gap Road, the Blood Mountain portion of US-129, and Highway 60. The Unicoi Turnpike north of Helen is also worth working into a loop if you’re looking for the full experience.

Where to Stay

While you could always dip into any number of nearby mountain hotels, tradition dictates that I recommend staying at Two Wheels of Suches, a motorcycle-focused resort that’s central to all the best riding in the area. I’ve also had great experiences at Kennedy Creek Resort just up the road from Two’s, which offers camping, cabins, and lodging as well as a full service restaurant and bar.

Insider Tip

Many of the area’s roads are tailor-made for dragging footpegs, but don’t rule out North Georgia’s abundance of dirt forest service roads either. The Smoky Mountain 500 off-road route runs straight through Suches for a reason. 

Smoky Mountain Twist

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The Route

Three-hundred-eighteen curves in 11 miles along the Tail of the Dragon. High-speed, high-elevation sweepers on Cherohala Skyway. The old Moonshiner 28. The Smoky Mountains are home to the single greatest collection of twisty roads anywhere in the country—if not the world. This is where I cut my teeth on a sport bike as a teenager, and one I come back to as an adult as often as possible. People drive across the country to test their skills on these curves, and you should too.

Where to Stay

While we’ve typically stuck to cabin rentals on our trips to the Smokies, Fontana Village Resort is a longtime favorite in the area. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino is another favorite alternative if you fancy a little nightly entertainment, and also happens to have some of the most affordable rooms anywhere in the region.

Insider Tip

The Dragon’s Tail draws a lot of traffic, particularly on weekends, and the busier it gets, the more dangerous it becomes. If you want to test your skills on the gnarliest road in the country, I recommend either hitting it early in the morning, the middle of the week, or a combination of the two. 

Blue Ridge Bucket-Lister

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The Route

Blue Ridge Parkway runs from Great Smoky Mountain National Park all the way up into Shenandoah National Park, spanning a whopping 469 miles across 20 different counties in North Carolina and Virginia. It starts along U.S. 441 and traces the ridge of the Blue Ridge chain through some of the most incredible mountain views of the southern U.S.

Where to Stay

While the Blue Ridge Parkway largely avoids dense population centers, it passes close enough to several cities for convenient lodging. We like to stop in Asheville, NC, for 100 different reasons—at least a dozen of which are top-notch breweries.

Insider Tip

If you’re looking to tackle the entire Blue Ridge Parkway for bragging rights, make sure you plan your trip in the warmer months. Sections of the road can be impassable for two-wheelers around winter due to snow and ice, so anything outside of late spring to early fall is asking for trouble. 

Florida Keys Cruise

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The Route

Leave Miami and head south. When you hit the ocean, just keep on going. The southernmost 113 miles of U.S. Highway 1 (aka The Overseas Highway) is essentially a two-lane bridge that runs all the way from mainland Florida down to Key West, connecting a whopping 44 islands along the way. Who said you need a boat to go island hopping?

Where to Stay

The Florida Keys are a popular tourist destination, so while there’s limited land area, hotels abound. Most folks opt to stay in either Key Largo or Key West, with the former being home to more luxurious digs like Bungalows Key Largo and Baker’s Cay Resort, and the latter being home to more colorful accommodations and a vibrant party scene.

Insider Tip

Pretty much all of the Overseas Highway is a two-lane road with a speed limit of 55 or less. Take it slow and soak it in. You’re on island time now. 

Ozark Mountain Explorer

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The Route 

What makes the area around the Ozark Mountains so special is there are more good roads than bad ones with epic views, endless switchbacks, and cool mountain towns in abundance anywhere you turn. Must-ride roads on the Arkansas side include Route 123 out of Mt. Judea (aka the “Arkansas Dragon”) and Route 23 from White Oak to Brashears (“The Pig Trail”). On the Missouri side, you’ll want to hit Hwy 125 from Sparta to Peels Ferry, then double back and take the detour up State Highway Uu (yep, double U)—also known as the Oldfield Loop.

Where to Stay

The small mountain town of Jasper is central to many of the great roads in the area, and also boasts a handful of restaurants within striking distance. You can stay at The Gordon Motel or Arkansas House River Inn if you want to keep it simple, but we recommend renting a cabin for the full experience.

Insider Tip

While “The Pig Tail” is as short as it is sweet, it packs a stunning amount of natural beauty into its north end. Go during the spring for a kaleidoscopic tour through massive blooms of wildflowers. 

Black Hills Pilgrimage

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The Route

There’s much more to the Black Hills than Sturgis. The two-lane road SD 34/WY24 offers an excellent tour of the area, while Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, and Spearfish Canyon are all home to sweeping stretches of pavement as well.

Where to Stay

Lodges and boutique hotels are the norm in these parts, ranging from tiny B&Bs to larger venues like The Lodge at Deadwood.

Insider Tip

If you want to experience the hog-wild party that is the Sturgis motorcycle rally, it goes down in early August. Unfortunately, the influx of traffic also makes for crowded roads throughout the area, so get there well in advance of the rally to really enjoy the area. 

Route 66 Rambler

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The Route 

Nicknamed “The Main Street of America,” few motorcycle trips are quite as iconic as Historic Route 66. Spanning from Chicago all the way to Los Angeles, your trip may start in the Midwest, but the full monty doesn’t end until you hit the Pacific Ocean.

Where to Stay

It’s a long road, and you’ll have plenty of options, but the history of Route 66 was written from roadside motels. For the full experience, consider working several into your route: just follow the neon signs.

Insider Tip

While a ride down Route 66 is without a doubt one of the most epic motorcycle trips you can take, it’s more about sightseeing and soaking up culture than it is high-octane excitement. Leave the sport bike or hyper-naked at home and opt for something with a comfortable seat and ample wind protection. Cruise control comes in handy, too.

Great Lakes Roll

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The Route

The crown jewel of the Great Lake’s region is Michigan’s M-119, the aptly named “tunnel of trees” that runs along lake Michigan flanked on both sides by dense foliage. Unfortunately, M-119 only runs for about 20 miles, so we recommend making a loop using Hwy 31 and dropping down into Otsego Lake, heading east toward Twin Lakes, then into Fairview. You can take backroads back to the start, or just hop on I-75 for a straight shot home.

Where to Stay

Stafford’s Crooked River Lodge gets our vote. Clean rooms, a nice big fireplace, river access, and pool tables are just a few perks here between rides.

Insider Tip

While no motorcycles are allowed on Mackinac Island, it’s a great day trip to break up the riding. Shelper’s Ferry offers free day-use parking for motorcycles while you’re off exploring. 

Pride of the Pacific Tour

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The Route

For this trip, it’s all about California State Route 1, aka the Pacific Coast Highway (or PCH). You can start in Los Angeles if you want to cruise through Malibu and Point Mugu State Park or, if you’d rather cut to the chase, begin in Morro Bay outside of San Luis Obispo and head north. When I was living in California, this was the one motorcycle ride near me I savored more than any other. There’s simply nothing else like it in the country.

Where to Stay

Personally, I’ve always liked to stay and do a little motorcycle camping in the area, either inside Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park or in one of the privately owned campgrounds like Riverside Campground & Cabins. You’ll be hard-pressed to find vacancy anywhere on the main drag, but both Carmel and San Luis Obispo have clean hotels close enough to the action.

Insider Tip

While the views from the Pacific Coast Highway going through Big Sur are some of the finest in the country, there are dozens of hidden gems hidden just off the beaten path. If you’ve got a motorcycle you don’t mind riding on gravel roads, don’t be afraid to explore some of the offshoots that climb up away from the water. This is how I’ve stumbled on many of my favorite spots in the area, and that’s all I’m willing to share on the matter. 

Rocky Mountain Run

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The Route

The natural Rocky Mountain beauty surrounding Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway runs from Silverton to Ouray along U.S. Route 550 (aka the San Juan Skyway)—an already stunning 233-mile expanse of asphalt. Elevations approaching 10,000 feet mean you’ll need to pack layers year-round, and avoid winter months completely.

Where to Stay

Lodge in Durango, and you’ll have the run of the San Juan Skyway with a solid, amenity-filled home base.

Insider Tip

Guardrails are few and the drop-offs are steep, so keep your eyes on the road and off the scenery out on the twisties.

San Diego Desert Tour

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The Route

I spent several years living in downtown San Diego, and my favorite motorcycle ride was always a weekend getaway to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Head east out of the city on I-8, then pick up Sunrise Highway for a scenic summit of Mt. Laguna.

Ride into Julian, then pick up Highway 78 into Anza-Borrego proper. Riding 78 is mainly about taking in the scenery, but if you’re up for a challenging detour, head north into the town of Borrego Springs and try your hand along the twists and turns of Montezuma Valley Road.

Where to Stay 

You’ve got tons of options for lodging in downtown San Diego, ranging from the sky-high ocean views of Manchester Grand Hyatt to the riotous nightlife of Gaslamp District. If you’d rather stay out of the city, Borrego Valley Inn is the epitome of an old-school desert hotel, while the cozy little mountain town of Julian offers ample cabin rentals and some of the best apple pie I’ve ever stuck a fork in.

Insider Tip

There are hundreds of miles of Jeep trails to enjoy scattered around Anza-Borrego. Consider riding/renting an adventure bike with decent suspension and knobby tires to get the full desert experience. 

Leaving Las Vegas Loop

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The Route

Once I’ve put a sizable dent in my savings account at the craps table, I find peace knowing there’s no shortage of excellent motorcycle rides near me around Sin City. Take SR-167 up through the Valley of Fire, SR-159 through Red Rock Canyon, or SR-158 to the peak of Mt. Charleston while you contemplate the consequences of your poor financial decisions.

Where to Stay

Needless to say, you’ve got plenty of options for lodging in Las Vegas—but for the true “fear and loathing” cultural experience, I prefer to stay in “Old Vegas” in one of the nicer hotels around Fremont street, like Circa or The D.

Insider Tip

The riding around Las Vegas is truly a hidden gem, but the weather out in the desert can get downright brutal in the colder months. Late spring to early fall is your best bet without serious insulation and a healthy dose of heated gear. 

Denali Highway Heaven

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The Route

Another single-road destination, Alaska’s Denali Highway is a 135-mile stretch of Alaska Route 8 that runs between the towns of Paxson and Cantwell. If you want the full epic Alaska experience, consider heading north at its terminus up Route 3, then catching Route 2 to Route 11 all the way up into Prudhoe Bay.

Where to Stay

You’ll want to start your journey from Denali Highway Cabins in Paxon, which were still the only game in town last time I checked. If you want to break the ride into a two-day journey, Alpine Creek Lodge splits the route around halfway, just before the Susitna River.

Insider Tip

Denali Highway is only open to vehicle traffic from May to October, and is..