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Riding a motorcycle is always fun, but riders looking for a real adventure want something special. They want twists, turnouts, beautiful vistas, perfect stretches of road, and biker-friendly pit stops along the way. That’s just what these ten gorgeous US motorcycle roads have to offer.
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Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Hwy 1, runs 1,700 miles from Astoria, Oregon, all the way to San Juan Capistrano, California. It has a little bit of everything when it comes to adventure riding, from beautiful beaches and stunning cliffside views to biker-friendly hot tub bed and breakfasts and world-class dining. The long, winding road provides an excellent mix of thrilling turns and slow-paced cruising, and turnouts abound.
There are a few can’t-miss stops along this route, from cities like San Francisco and San Diego to turnouts in the redwood forests and the bikini-clad beaches of Malibu. Nature-lovers should plan to spend at least a few hours off their bikes hiking in the majestic forests of Big Sur.
The Appalachian Mountains
East Coast riders can do no better than to take a 770-mile cruise from Front Royal, VA, to Deal’s Gap, NC. This ride begins on the scenic Skyline Drive in Virginia, which skirts along the Shenandoah National Park, then connects with the Blue Ridge Parkway farther south. Cruise the backcountry roads of Tennessee on Hwy 28, then loop back along Hwys 360 and 72 to meet up with the 11 mile Tail of the Dragon.
The Tail of the Dragon may be a short ride on your Harley-Davidson, but it’s a can’t-miss experience for true adventure riders. With 318 exciting curves and miles of beautiful scenery, there are plenty of good reasons that it attracts bikers from all over the world.
River Road
River Road, officially known as Farm to Market 170, runs through the Big Bend ecosystem from Terlingua to Candelaria, TX. Dual-sport riders will be in heaven on this run, but the 17-mile off-road loop through the incredible Valley of the Gods is manageable on almost any bike thanks to the desert climate and it’s not to be missed. True adventurers can even bring their bikes on a boat ride at the Boquillas Crossing to head to the Mexican side of the border for a quick pit stop.
Going to the Sun Road
This two-hour ride through Glacier National Park in Montana boasts some truly spectacular scenery in addition to an incredible 50-mile ride. Keep an eye out for wildlife, since Glacier National Park is renowned for its populations of mountain goats and bighorn sheep, and be sure to make a pit-stop at the Jackson Glacier Overlook. Before the Going to the Sun Road was installed over Logan Pass, visitors used to spend days driving through the park just to take in this view.
Beartooth Highway
Beartooth Highway, found in Yellowstone National Park, WY, is only 68 miles long, but expect to spend a few hours navigating its twists, turns, and impressive heights. Beartooth Pass, which gives US 212 its name, tops out at 10,047 feet, giving riders willing to take their time the opportunity to take in views of not just glaciers, alpine plateaus, waterfalls, wildlife, and lush forests across one of the last wild areas left in the lower 48.
Highway 12
Utah’s Hwy 12 runs from Bryce Canyon National Park to Capitol Reef National Park. The best time to take this ride is right before sunset, when the parks’ sandstone rock formations, canyons, and deep lakes create a colorful tableau that encompasses all of nature’s beauty. Ride safe, though, because this road features plenty of twists and turns as it winds between the area’s many National Monuments and National Forests.
Coastal Highway 1
Coastal Highway 1, which runs from Kittery to Bucksport, Maine, has the honor of being the oldest highway on the east coast. For those who love quaint New England charm, it has a little bit of everything. Plan to make plenty of stops to check out the area’s ubiquitous lighthouses, antique shops, and lobster shacks. The primary appeal of Coastal Highway 1 isn’t hairpin turns—it’s the opportunity to take in the unique sights and experiences of coastal Maine.
Overseas Highway
The Overseas Highway in Florida, also dubbed Hwy 1, runs through the Florida Keys from Key Largo all the way to Key West, the southernmost point in the country. Riders will follow miles of bridges to join the tourists in a biker-friendly, tropical paradise. Expect to ride on island time and make plenty of stops to take in the fresh salt air and sample some of the region’s many seafood joints.
Route 66
Route 66, which runs 2200 miles from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA, has a well-deserved place on just about every serious adventure rider’s bucket list. Treat Route 66 like a ride through history, because this long, winding road is one of the longest surviving parts of the original US highway system. Stop to check out the kitschy roadside attractions and socialize in the many biker-friendly bars and restaurants along this famous route.
The Great River Road
The Great River Road (Hwy 61) is the longest ride on this list, passing through 10 states as it follows the Mississippi River down from its headwaters in Itasca State Park, MN, to Jackson, LA. Each section of the road has a different feel, ranging from sunny meadows to thick forests and even cypress swamps at the southern end of Hwy 61. This gives riders the opportunity to take in all that middle-America has to offer in terms of scenic views while avoiding industrial areas almost entirely.
The Bottom Line
Some roads just feel like they’re made for motorcyclists. The ten mentioned above only scratch the surface of what America has to offer in terms of scenic rides, but they are not to be missed. Gear up, pack up, and hit the road to go embrace the historic tradition and unique lifestyle of the American adventure biker even if it’s only for a weekend.
