Top 7 Iconic Motorcycle Rides in the U.S.

There’s nothing quite like experiencing your surroundings while riding a motorcycle. Enjoying the incredible scenery as you fly over the American roadways is priceless, as every biker will tell you.

So, what makes a road great for bikers? Depending on the biker you ask, it may be the thrilling twists and turns, scenery, or interesting diversions like hiking, nature watching, or historical sites.

However, there are several iconic motorcycle rides in the United States everyone agrees should be on every rider’s bucket list, and here they are, in no particular order:

Pacific Coast Highway, California

*“Pacific Coast Highway” by M McBey is licensed under CC BY 2.0*

California’s gorgeous coastal highway offers numerous treats like majestic towering redwood forests, fantastic beaches, and some exciting curves to keep any rider entertained.

The most remarkable part of the road, the Big Sur section, stretches out for 120 miles and has many spots for enjoying the incredible views.

The highway extends along the sunny California coast, covering every part of it, from Malibu to Oregon and beyond.

Natchez Trace Parkway, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi

*“Natchez Trace Parkway” by Pratap Sankar is licensed under CC BY 2.0*

The scenic route covers over 400 miles and stretches over three states. If you love cruising amongst pines, moss-draped oaks, and magnolias, you will adore this road.

While it’s mostly straight and flat and won’t satisfy the adrenaline-seeking rider, those who enjoy a ride with an abundance of historical sites and incredible nature will love Natchez Trace Parkway.

While on the road, you may want to stop at Tupelo, Mississippi, to pay homage to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. This little town was his birthplace, and this is where his childhood church still stands.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

*“Blue Ridge Parkway” by Kamoteus (A New Beginning) is licensed under CC BY 2.0*

The scenic Blue ridge parkway was primarily built to connect the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the Shenandoah National Park. The road allows no commercial business or traffic, which makes it perfect for motorcyclists.

Smooth pavement and gorgeous views on a lonely road – what more can you ask for on a Saturday morning, right?

The road stretches for 469 miles and makes an incredible two to three day ride you will be excruciatingly sad to leave.

Beartooth Highway, Wyoming and Montana

*“Beartooth Highway spring 2018” by YellowstoneNPS is marked with CC PDM 1.0*

If you’re looking for a thrilling ride with a dizzying climb and frequent descent turns and twists while cruising among some of the nation’s most incredible scenery, try Beartooth Highway.

You’ll cross many habitats on your ride, and you may run into some wildlife like goats, but also grizzly bears and black bears. There are plenty of zones abundant in gorgeous wildflowers.

There are also several places where you can make pitstops and take a picture or two of the breathtaking view that surrounds you.

Skyline Drive, Georgia

*“Shenandoah Skyline Drive” by Bold Frontiers is licensed under CC BY 2.0*

You may not have Georgia on your list or your mind at all when it comes to amazing rides, but you definitely should. Skyline Drive is sometimes a busy road, and it’s no place for chasing speed since the limit is 35 mph.

However, since there’s plenty of wildlife around and you may encounter a bear among other animals, you may need to go faster than the speed limit to getaway.

The road offers such incredible scenery; it’s all worth it. There are plenty of places to stop along the road and take a break and enjoy the gorgeous valley from all angles.

The Tail of the Dragon, Tennessee and North Carolina

*“Tail of the Dragon #1” by wjklos is licensed under CC BY 2.0*

The most famous motorcycle route in the U.S., the Tail of the Dragon, is not a long road, but it packs an impressive number of curves.

That’s 318 curves on an 11-mile road.

It’s a challenging, thrilling ride that leads you through the beautiful mountains and makes your adrenaline pump non-stop.

The Tail of the Dragon is maintained, but there are many steep drop-offs, and risky hairpin turns that make the road infamous for at least a couple of fatal crashes every year.

Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana

*“Grizzly sow and cub in the middle of the Going-to-the-Sun Road” by GlacierNPS is marked with CC PDM 1.0*

If you’re looking for a road that offers many hiking possibilities for nature lovers, Going-to-the-Sun Road in Montana is a real gem you must visit. Although the National Park Service says it takes only two hours to drive the entire road, we suggest making stops repeatedly.

Bikers that love taking hikes will enjoy a few climbs while in Glacier, where they can find a little bit of everything nature has to offer.

The highest point of the Going-to-the-Sun Road is called Logan Pass. Once you reach it, you can see an abundance of wildlife in the alpine meadows, including bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and even grizzly bears.

What’s your favorite riding road in the United States? Is it on this list? Let us know in the comments section!

Featured image: “Going to the sun road” by GlacierNPS is marked with CC PDM 1.0