What makes a great motorcycle ride? Great scenery, twisty roads, smooth pavement, light traffic, few intersections, and a great destination at the end of the ride. You may have a ride like this close to home, or you may need to travel to get to one. Over the years, I’ve sought out and ridden many great roads in the U.S. Here’s my list of the Best Rides in the USA.
Montrose to Wrightwood, California
I must admit that I’m biased because I lived very near this ride for 17 years. Angeles Crest Highway (SR2) snakes through the Angeles National Forest for 66 miles, offering riders amazing curves, changes in elevation, sweeping views and challenging switchbacks.
Deal’s Gap, North Carolina.
Just east of the border with Tennessee, Tail of the Dragon boasts 318 curves in 11 miles and has become a badge of honor for motorcyclists the world over. Though it does not quite live up to its hype, it is surrounded by some incredible roads that are less famous, though equally worthy of road time.
Glacier National Park, Montana.
This 50-mile road from West Glacier to St. Mary across Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful mountain passes in the world. Only passable for a few months in the late summer, the Going-to-the-Sun Road rewards persistence with life-long memories.
Morro Bay to Carmel, California.
California’s Highway 1 stretches the length of the state, hugging the Pacific Coast line for much of that distance. The 147-mile segment (south to north) between Morro Bay and Carmel is the most beautiful, clinging to the cliffs above the rocky shores. Reverse your route to return, and challenge your vertigo in the outside lane.
Troutdale to The Dalles, Oregon.
I hesitate to write about this route, because I don’t want it to get too crowded to enjoy. The sheer beauty of the Columbia River Highway (US Hwy 30) encompasses land, water and air, sometimes hugging the banks of the river, sometimes skimming on tall hills high above the water. On a clear day, you’ll see sailboats, kite surfers, and speedboats enjoying the water, hikers on the hills above and campers lounging beside bonfires. The road delights and amazes.
Custer State Park, South Dakota.
No visit to Sturgis is complete without a ride through the 73,000-acre Custer State Park on the Needles Highway. Fourteen miles of curves, tunnels and straights lead through a maze of natural granite formations. You could be on Earth, or you could be on an alien planet. Cling to your motorcycle and ride into the void.
Waynesboro, Virginia to Cherokee, North Carolina.
Long known by the nickname “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway’s 469 miles must have been designed with motorcycle cruisers in mind. Gentle curves, changing elevations, beautiful vistas and many points of interest along the way beckon riders to take their time and enjoy the ride.
Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi.
Take a step back in time and experience the 444-mile-long Natchez Trace Parkway. Starting just outside the bustle of Music City, you can leave the worries behind. No billboards, no gas stations, no trucks, no businesses of any kind intrude on the Trace – you have to exit to access services. The speed limit tops out at 50, but the experience is transcendent – a window into the past.
Durango, Colorado.
The very definition of a destination road, this road through the San Juan Mountains features climbs and descents, curves and steep drop-offs, mountain passes with beautiful views and tiny mountain villages that you’ll wish you could live in forever. The welcoming towns of Silverton and Ouray will tempt you with their charm; Telluride with its laid-back opulence; and Durango with its convenient access to such beauty.
Talihina, Oklahoma to Mena, Arkansas.
This 54-mile long road goes across the top of the Ouachita Mountains from Talihina in eastern Oklahoma to Mena in western Arkansas. The road winds through forested hills and peaks, and has 22 scenic pull-offs along its length.
Plan a trip that will include one or more of these great destination rides. And remember – wherever you go, Best Western is there.