Roads That Define Adventure
Riding through America feels like flipping through a living postcard. Every route tells a different story, from winding coastal roads to rugged forest trails. The diversity means you can chase ocean views one week and carve through mountain switchbacks the next. Some routes have become legendary among riders for good reason—they deliver experiences that stick with you long after the engine cools. Here are the best motorcycle routes to ride across America.
1. Pacific Coast Highway, California
Starting at Santa Monica Pier, Route 66 meets the sea, and the Pacific Coast Highway launches its epic 650-mile coastal journey northward. The road hugs California's dramatic cliffs past Big Sur and the Golden Gate Bridge, finally reaching Fort Bragg's Glass Beach, where sea-polished remnants sparkle like jewels.
2. Beartooth Highway, Montana
Modern engineering carved this 68-mile stretch of US Route 212 through untamed wilderness, yet the Beartooth Highway still feels wildly natural. Motorcyclists chase summer thrills past snowfields that never melt, climbing razor-sharp switchbacks to Beartooth Pass at 10,947 feet.
3. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway, dubbed "America's Favorite Drive," earns its reputation with a 469-mile journey through the Appalachian Highlands. This engineering marvel links Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. It features 26 tunnels and some of the most photographed vistas in the eastern United States.
4. Million Dollar Highway, Colorado
The 25-mile stretch of US Route 550 between Silverton and Ouray demands nerves of steel, with guardrail-free lanes clinging to sheer cliffs. Local lore can’t decide if it’s called the Million Dollar Highway for its costly construction or the gold once embedded in its roadbed. Either way, it delivers a breathtaking ride.
5. Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
Named after a 17th-century Penacook Confederacy chief, the Kancamagus Highway evolved from Native American trade paths into one of New Hampshire’s most scenic drives. Today, this 34.5-mile route through White Mountain National Forest dazzles with mountain views and world-famous fall foliage.
Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided on Wikimedia
6. Tail Of The Dragon, Tennessee
For motorsport fans, the test lies in US 129’s Tail of the Dragon, where an astonishing 318 curves twist through just 11 miles. Crossing the Tennessee–North Carolina border, this route lures thrill-seekers to conquer its bends—and to pay respects at the Tree of Shame, which is adorned with fallen riders’ scraps.
Wild Hare from Orlando on Wikimedia
7. Route 66, Illinois
When Route 66 debuted in 1926, no one could have predicted its mythic rise. The “Mother Road” evolved from a simple Chicago-to-Santa Monica connection into an American icon. Illinois’s stretch showcases diners and roadside oddities like Wilmington’s towering Gemini Giant that preserves pure mid-century Americana.
8. Skyline Drive, Virginia
As the only public road winding through Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive rewards riders with 105 miles of Blue Ridge views. A relaxed 35-mph limit makes it ideal for soaking in 75 scenic overlooks, where autumn paints the mountains in fiery reds and golds.
Shenandoah National Park from Virginia on Wikimedia
9. Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi
Free from commercial traffic, the Natchez Trace Parkway offers peaceful, uninterrupted riding through 444 miles of history. Following a centuries-old Native American trail from Natchez to Nashville, it showcases forests and ancient mounds while preserving the quiet spirit of America’s earliest travelers.
formulanone from Huntsville, United States on Wikimedia
10. Twisted Sisters, Texas
Texas riders know the Twisted Sisters for their fierce reputation. The loop links Ranch Roads 335, 336, and 337 through 100 miles of Hill Country terrain. Sharp turns and unexpected wildlife create a route that keeps even seasoned motorcyclists alert and exhilarated.
11. Pig Trail Scenic Byway, Arkansas
Hidden in the Ozark National Forest, the Pig Trail Scenic Byway delivers one of the region’s most exciting rides. It's 19 miles of twist through rugged terrain where trees form a natural tunnel. Each season reshapes the experience and draws motorcyclists back year after year.
The Pig Trail / Arkansas / Motorcycle Destinations by Motorcycle Destinations
12. Highway 12, Utah
Few routes rival Highway 12’s drama. This 122-mile journey between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef showcases Utah’s rugged heart through canyons and the glowing rocks of Escalante. Every mile feels designed for riders who crave wide horizons and constant wonder.
Christian Mehlführer, User:Chmehl on Wikimedia
13. Needles Highway, South Dakota
When engineers carved Needles Highway through South Dakota's Black Hills in 1922, they created a masterpiece of motorcycling. This 14-mile stretch of Highway 87 winds through granite spires and the iconic 8’4”-wide Needles Eye, rewarding skill and precision with cinematic beauty.
Little Mountain 5 on Wikimedia
14. Great River Road, Iowa
Designated a National Scenic Byway, the Great River Road follows the Mississippi River through ten states, but Iowa’s section stands out. Dramatic limestone bluffs and wildlife refuges line the way, marked by the signature green-and-white pilot’s wheel signs guiding travelers along America’s greatest river.
15. Route 100 Scenic Byway, Vermont
Vermont’s Route 100 delivers endless charm for snow lovers and summer explorers. The 216-mile highway parallels the Green Mountains and leads past ski resorts and rustic villages. All seasons offer something special, but fall’s fiery foliage makes it unforgettable.
Can You REALLY Drive Vermont's Scenic Route 100 Byway in Just One Day? by Vancaskeys
16. Tunnel Of Trees, Michigan
M-119’s Tunnel of Trees offers 20 miles of pure scenic bliss along Lake Michigan’s shoreline. Towering hardwoods arch overhead and cast shifting shadows across the narrow road. Each curve reveals glimpses of the water and roadside cafés perfect for a mid-ride stop.
17. Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, Oregon
Plunging deeper than any river gorge in North America, Hells Canyon anchors an unforgettable 218-mile loop through Oregon’s northeast. The route passes historic Joseph and skirts the Snake River’s rim—accessible from June to October before snow reclaims the peaks.
Hells Canyon Scenic Byway | Oregon 4k Drives by Oregon Tropics
18. Flint Hills Scenic Byway, Kansas
Kansas Highway 177 threads gracefully through the last tallgrass prairie in North America. Stretching 47 miles between Cassoday and Council Grove, it provides access to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, where wind-swept grasses ripple like waves beneath an endless Midwestern sky.
Flint Hills Scenic Byway by Passage Pioneer
19. Route 50, Nevada
Nicknamed “The Loneliest Road in America,” Nevada’s Route 50 turns isolation into art. Between Ely and Fernley, riders trace the old Pony Express route through ghost towns and desert basins. At day’s end, star-filled skies remind travelers why solitude can feel so freeing.
20. Seward Highway, Alaska
Earning both National Scenic Byway and All-American Road honors, Alaska’s 127-mile Seward Highway connects Anchorage to Seward through spectacular terrain. Riders encounter glaciers and the tidal drama of Turnagain Arm—one of the few roads where mountains, ocean, and sky collide in seamless grandeur.
