While not everyone understands, those who have ridden a motorcycle know first-hand how liberating and exciting taking your bike for a ride can be. It’s a sense of freedom, adventure, and a thrilling way to experience the beauty of the open road.
If you’re looking for some of the best motorcycle rides in the United States, you’ve come to the right place. Get your group together and start planning. Here the top places to ride across America according to cyclists just like you.
The Pacific Coast Highway
Driving enthusiasts in general know that California’s Pacific Coast Highway is a unique, scenic delight that offers a little bit of everything. You can watch waves crash on the shore, catch a few seals napping on the sand, and watch rays of sunlight glitter across the ocean. On the other hand, you have the redwood forests and a myriad of attractions along the state’s coastline.
Carmel to Morro Bay is the highlight, but you can travel from California’s most southern tip all the way to Oregon for an extended journey. A personal injury attorney that handles motorcycle cases warns riders to avoid summer weekends due to high levels of traffic, though. You’ll want to dress warm, too. The coastline is famous for fog and chilly ocean winds in the summer.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Spanning a total of 469 miles, this ride starts in Virginia and ends in North Carolina. Your trip takes you through Civil War battle sites, the Great Smokey Mountains, and gorgeous countryside views. With a 45-mile-per-hour speed limit, you’ll have plenty of time to soak everything in.
You can extend this ride by adding the 105-mile Skyline Drive in Virginia to your route. This road heads through Shenandoah National Park before linking you back to the parkway. This is a lengthy one, so give yourself at least two days to enjoy it all.
Peak to Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park
While the ride is only 60 miles long, it winds through stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. Thick forests, meadows, and glorious twists define this trip. The journey starts on Highway 119, traveling along Highways 72 and 7 before ending in Estes Park.
Aside from the mountains, you’ll also catch moose and elk in their natural habitats. It’s best to come here in the spring, giving you the chance to see this area in a dazzling array of color. To help make the trek more worth your while, bring your hiking or camping gear for a few scenic stops.
Tail of the Dragon
Famously portrayed in movies in TV series, this legendary length of US 129 features over 300 tight curves in only 11 miles. It’s considered one of the ultimate rides for any enthusiast, but be careful. This “dragon’s tail” has seen its fair share of horrific motorcycle accidents from riders attempting to show off.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
In Montana, this rollercoaster of a road only opens up in the summer. It’s remote location in Glacier National Park makes it somewhat of a holy grail for riders, reaching an over 6,500-foot summit. The scenery is filled with bighorn sheep and mountain goats grazing in middle America. Double-check the weather before heading out and make sure to take in the stellar views.