Top Destinations for Your Next Motorcycle Road Trip

motorcycle riding in Valley of fire State Parkt on empty highway

Get on your motorcycle and experience the freedom of the open road this riding season while you hit high speeds and take in the stunning scenery across the nation. Plan a long-distance journey riding solo or with your bike crew, and follow up on these top tips for planning your bucket list ride. For more roadside attractions and top highways to ride, here are Cycle Trader’s top destinations for your next motorcycle road trip, broken down by North, East, South, and West.

North

You’ll often find the sparsely populated, free and open roads of the North are perfect for biking, and let you push your bike’s speed with scenic views along the way. Montana Highway 200 is one example of this, as it’s the longest state highway route in the United States, and part of a highway chain that continues through Idaho, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Along the ride in Montana you’ll find Helena National Forest, the Bison Range wildlife refuge with these incredible creatures, hot springs, and biker bars that populate Big Sky Country.

Badlands National Park and the Road to Sturgis

Take a trip this summer to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally running from August 4–13 in Sturgis, South Dakota for the world’s biggest celebration of biking. Plan your road trip there with a visit to the rolling Black Hills where you can see Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial, or take a spin through Badlands National Park for a joyride between canyons and prairies. One of the best motorcycle rides anywhere, Devils Tower in nearby Wyoming takes you by the towering butte for an unforgettable photo op with your biking crew.

Speaking of Wyoming, no ride in the North would be complete without a stop at Yellowstone National Park with its stunning wildlife and natural landmarks like Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Thumb Geyser. Beartooth Highway is just the way to get there, another top motorcycle ride not to be missed. This route puts you at the bottom of a canyon and takes you to an elevation as high as 4,000 feet on winding roadways between mountains, lakes, and rivers.

East

It’s fitting to start your road trip in the East on U.S. Route 1 in Maine, named one of our top rides in the Northeast as it covers the length of Maine up to the Canadian border. This coastal tour takes you along stops like gorgeous Acadia National Park with its rocky shores and expansive views. You can also detour to a lighthouse or stop in charming towns like Portland or Bar Harbor to dine on lobster and relax for the night.

Further south, the Blue Ridge Parkway spans some 400 miles through Virginia and North Carolina with one of the best motorcycle rides in the country between Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It’s casual cruising as you take in the views, with hairpin turns and winding mountainside roads in Appalachia. Set up camp and enjoy more outdoor recreation while you’re there if you plan to stay put for some time during your road trip.

Nearby, take a trip down the famous Tail of the Dragon, 11 miles of some of the best biking anywhere in the country. Weave between 318 bends and curves split across the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Along the way you’ll find biker hangouts like bars and restaurants and more lodging options as you continue your road trip.

South

Take a long distance journey with these winter riding destinations. Ozello Trail just north of Tampa is a relaxing ride with a bending road along the water, seafood eateries, and beachside stops to catch a sunset. Further south, you can take a trip to the swamps of the Everglades National Park and experience the natural flora and fauna, just look out for gators on the road!

Finish a road trip in the Sunshine State where the land ends at Mile Marker 0, with 113 miles of riding across the Florida Keys on the Overseas Highway. Here it’s nothing but smooth roads, palm trees and blue water, plus bars and boat docks for traveling through paradise.

There might not be any better riding in the Lone Star State than The Twisted Sisters in Texas Hill Country with Ranch Roads 335, 336, and 337 outside San Antonio. There’s 130 miles to cover, with 65 bends with drops and inclines to feel the breeze hit your helmet and rays of light on your sunglasses. Along the way get some barbecue, pay a visit to the Lost Maples State Natural Area, and get up to date on your motorcycle history at the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum.

West

Cool coastal cruising, winding mountain roads, and straightaways out on the desert—these are just a few reasons motorcyclists rave about road trips out in the West. Start your journey by making your way on the San Juan Skyway in Colorado, which is among the best states for riding your motorcycle. The thrills don’t stop when you change gears and give your bike some throttle and take corners on this 235-mile loop.

Straddling the borderline of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, Four Corners Motorcycle Rally in Durango, Colorado is the right way to round out the end of summer. Get in on the action with bike demos, races, and camaraderie with fellow riders before you cross state lines on your road trip.

Next, take a cruise on the Pacific Coast Highway with over 600 miles of riding along the coastline of California. You’ll pass mountains diving into the ocean, and towering Redwood and Sequoia trees on one of the longest state routes in the country. Take the drive from sunny Southern California with a start in Los Angeles and work your way up past Big Sur before you get to San Francisco and cross over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Ride in style with these cruiser motorcycles for sale from dealers and private sellers nationwide.

Across the U.S.A.

The most famous and historic ride in the nation, Route 66 stretches through the Midwest starting between the skyscrapers of Chicago and winds up out West at sunny Santa Monica Pier in California. You can expect all kinds of landscapes and climates when you ride, so prepare for your journey with these packing tips for long rides. Take the classic road trip through prairies, plains, deserts, canyons, and beaches with a number of incredible roadside attractions like diners and biker bars. Make time for the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, or the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. Take a detour to the Grand Canyon before you cross into the Golden State to finish off the 2,400-mile journey.

These are among our favorite road trip destinations you should plan to visit on your next tour of the country. Make sure your bike is ready, and map out your route on the map so you can hit the open road. Start shopping for motorcycles today on the nation’s leading marketplace at CycleTrader.com.