Motorcycle rides near me

Where are the best motorcycle rides near me?

Whether you’re just seeking new motorcycle rides and roads to try, or you’re looking for the best motorcycle rides in your state, understanding all of your possibilities may be more challenging than you think.

Even experienced motorcycle riders who have ridden in a certain state/area for years can come across a fantastic motorcycle ride that they have driven past a thousand times.

Alternatively, these motorcyclists can speak with another motorcycle rider and learn about a local/great motorcycle road in a region where they never imagined such a ride existed.

As a result, bestmotorcycleriding.com has compiled this fast guide to assist you in answering the question, “What are my best options for Motorcycle Rides Near Me?”

You may also be interested in: Best motorcycle helmets in 2022

US Motorcycle Riding Hotspots

First and foremost, if you are a motorcycle rider who is eager to travel to wherever the best motorcycle rides may be found, I must inform you of some motorcycle riding HOTSPOTS in the United States. I’ve been able to discover the location of several very active hotspots for US motorcycle trips after 20+ years of gathering information on 1,000s of motorcycle routes and rides, collecting countless rider reviews and ratings of those roads, as well as numerous images and videos. In this article, I’ve highlighted four of these powerful motorcycling magnets’ in the map below, as well as summarised each of the riding hotspots. Some of the places I highlight are well-known for attracting motorcycle riders, while others will most likely surprise you!

1. The Blue Ridge Box – Motorcycle Riding Hotspot

The Blue Ridge Box (an approximate 50×50 mile “box” located at the southern end of the Blue Ridge mountains and including portions of SE Tennessee, SW North Carolina, NE Georgia, and NW South Carolina) is one hotspot that stands out when it comes to having the highest quality, best motorcycle roads in the United States. This concentrated collection of amazing motorcycle rides is home to The Tail of the Dragon (AKA Deal’s Gap), which has been named a top motorcycle ride in the United States for as long as the site has been up and running: The Dragon attracts enough attention and riders from all over the world that it could definitely be considered a motorcycle riding hotspot on its own, but the Blue Ridge Box also features a plethora of other excellent motorcycle routes, including:

• As mentioned above, the #1 motorcycle ride in Tennessee (this route starts at the North Carolina border) – The Tail of the Dragon
• The number # 1 motorcycle ride in Virginia The southern leg of the Blue Ridge Parkway
• The #3 most popular motorcycle ride in North Carolina – The Hellbender 28
• The #2 motorcycle road in both North Carolina and Tennessee (the route straddles the border) The Cherohala Skyway
• And three of the Top 5 Georgia motorcycle rides – The Suches Loop, The Extended Suches Loop, and the Northern Georgia Scenic Byway Loop
• And the #2 most popular motorcycle ride in South Carolina – The Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway

2. Southeast Ohio – Motorcycle Riding Hotspot

Ohio’s southeast region is buzzing with fantastic twisty motorcycle roads that pull riders in from all over the country. It’s probably not the first state that comes to mind when you think of motorcycle riding hot spots. The curves are a result of the Appalachian Plateau’s fantastic topography/terrain for motorbikes. The Appalachian Plateau is a region of rolling hills and valleys that become steeper and more noticeable as you travel south, making it Ohio’s most difficult region and possibly the whole United States Midwest. Southeast Ohio dominates the Midwest region in terms of the most popular motorcycle rides, with four of the top five listed routes. Check out these faves if you’re seeking a Midwestern motorbike hotspot and enjoy curves and twisties:

1. motorcycle ride in all of the Midwest – Ohio’s Triple Nickel – Route 555
2. motorcycle ride in Ohio (and #3 in the Midwest) The Ohio Cousin of the Tail of the Dragon
3. motorcycle ride in Ohio (and #4 in the Midwest) Ohio Route 26
4. motorcycle ride in Ohio (and #5 in the Midwest) Ohio’s Dragon’s Tail

3. The Colorado Rockies – Motorcycle Riding Hotspot

The Colorado Rockies are probably the least surprising of the four hotspots for motorcycle excursions. Not only does Colorado have a worldwide reputation for breathtaking mountain scenery, but the motorcycling community has been flocking to the state for decades in search of superb motorcycle roads. Putting aside the obviousness of this proposal, if you have never visited this part of the nation on a motorcycle, you should put a trip here on your bucket list. The Southwest corner (the Durango, CO area) and the Northcentral portion of the Colorado Rockies are two areas that stand out for motorcycle journeys (just west of Fort Collins, CO).

• Southwest Colorado’s legendary motorcycle trip, The San Juan Skyway, is located here, and it is now Colorado’s #1 motorcycle ride. This motorbike journey also includes the famed Million Dollar Highway in Colorado (I was interviewed about this road on the Weather Channel – Million Dollar Highway video clip 1, Million Dollar Highway video clip 2)
• A short drive to the north is another extremely spectacular motorcycle ride known as The Black Canyon Run, which is now ranked as Colorado’s #5 finest motorcycle ride. This is one of my favourite routes in Colorado, and it was this road that prompted me to create in 1998! I very recently traveled this road with my father in the fall of 2018 and had forgotten how beautiful it is. It offers breathtaking yet VERY different scenic views on both sides of the road… an enormous canyon on the southern side and alpine mountain grandeur on the northern side (read the description page to see what I mean).
• Two more incredible Colorado Rocky motorcycle adventures can be found in Northcentral Colorado… The Waldon Loop (Colorado’s #2 best motorcycle route) and The Peak to Peak Highway (Colorado’s #3 best motorcycle road) are the first and second, respectively.

4. Northwest Arkansas – Motorcycle Riding Hotspot

I never imagined Northwest Arkansas would become one of the most popular motorcycle riding destinations in the United States when I started bestmotorcycleriding.com in 1998, but it has! Parts of the Ozark Mountains may be found in this part of Arkansas, and the rugged terrain, fertile forests, deep valleys, and numerous waterways provide a perfect backdrop for motorcycle riding. All of Arkansas’ Top-5 motorcycle rides are located here, with two of them ranking among the Top 20 motorcycle rides in the US. It’s also worth noting that there are some wonderful Ozark mountain motorbike roads nearby in Southwest Missouri and Eastern Oklahoma.

• The famous Arkansas Pig Trail (Arkansas 23) is the #1 route in Arkansas and is currently ranked the #9 in the entire USA
• The Talimena National Scenic Byway is the #1 motorcycle road in Oklahoma and extends into eastern Arkansas
• The Arkansas Dragon (Hwy 123) is the #2 motorcycle ride in Arkansas and is also in the current Top 20 US motorcycle roads
• Push Mountain Road and Highway 7 round out the list of Top 5 Arkansas motorcycle rides

6 Best Iconic US Motorcycle Rides

Now, if you’re looking for not just hotspots, but also the hottest individual motorcycle rides in the United States that are widely regarded as the best motorcycle routes in the country, I’ll tell you about the legendary motorcycle rides. Unfortunately, none of these motorcycle trips are located in Massachusetts; however, these are rides that every serious motorcycle rider should put on their bucket list. The following is a list of premium motorcycle rides in the United States:

1. Three Sisters – Great motorcycle rides

Three Sisters – the next legendary motorcycle trip takes us “deep in the heart of Texas” with a motorcycle ride that goes by several titles (Ranch Roads 335, 336, 337a, or “The Twisted Sisters,” or simply “The Three Sisters”) and is located in the Texas Hill country about northwest of San Antonio, Texas. The ride has a cult following of motorcycle riders, and like the other classic rides, it attracts riders from all over the world.

2. Beartooth Pass – Great motorcycle rides

The classic American motorcycle ride on our list, Beartooth Pass, is the most severe in many ways, as it is located in a thinly populated area of northern Wyoming and crosses into a similarly sparsely populated area of southern Montana. The path is difficult due to the sheer mountain cliffs and switchbacks, as well as the fact that snow and ice can be present as late as July. It not only provides unequaled mountain scenery but also puts riders within a short drive of Yellowstone National Park, the classic US National Park.

3. Hwy 1 – Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) – Scenic motorcycle rides

Highway 1 – Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) – Without a question, the Pacific Coast Highway is the most iconic motorcycle ride in the west, as well as one of the most famous picturesque drives in the world. This classic road journey up (or down) the California coast gained popularity after being glamorized in a number of films and television shows, and it has only risen in popularity since then. Along the coast and in the cities/towns that it passes through, it features gentle curves and stunning scenery, as well as world-class amenities.

4. The Dragon – Scenic motorcycle rides

The Dragon — This spectacular route begins on the North Carolina-Tennessee border and continues north into Tennessee. The Dragon, the Tail of the Dragon, Deal’s Gap, and/or the Dragon’s Tail are some of the titles given to it. Whatever you want to call it, this is perhaps the most well-known motorbike road in the entire globe… yeah, the entire world. It’s famous for its collection of spectacular bends crammed into an 11-mile span… 318 curves in just 11 miles. With all of its abrupt bends and cutbacks, this twisted section of road is believed to mimic the ‘tail of a dragon,’ hence the name and reputation.

5. The Blue Ridge Parkway – Good motorcycle rides

The Blue Ridge Parkway – like The Tail of the Dragon, the next world-famous motorcycle trip is also world-famous, but it is far from short, covering a full 469 miles! For decades, both motorcycle riders and car drivers have been enchanted by this route, which spans vast sections of both Virginia and North Carolina.

6. The Tunnel of Trees Road – Good motorcycle rides

If you’re searching for a classic motorbike ride in the Midwest, The Tunnel of Trees Road is like the PCH of the Midwest, and it’s also a “shore hugger” like PCH (mentioned above). It provides riders with beautiful lakeshore scenery to the west, as well as a canopy of lush foliage above. The route is popular with Midwest motorcycle riders, and it is especially beautiful in the fall when the autumn colours enchant riders as they travel beneath a canopy of golds, oranges, and crimson reds.

The Best Motorcycle Rides Near You

If you don’t live near any of the above-mentioned US motorcycle riding hotspots or iconic motorcycle rides and simply want to know “Where are the best motorcycle rides near me?” then click here for a list of the best motorcycle rides near me in all 50 US states and the multiple US regions (e.g., midwest, Rock Mountain, etc.).

Simply select your state or region to be directed to one of our motorcycle ride index pages, which will describe the greatest motorcycle routes in your area! From there, you can sort on the motorcycle roads with the best scenery, the most fun to ride, and/or the most tourism options along the way, depending on your preferences for a pleasurable motorbike trip.

Make sure to add all of the motorcycles rides you’re interested in to your “To Ride” list, as well as the motorcycle, rides you’ve already tried to your “Rode It” list, while you’re in McR! You’ll be able to keep track of these motorcycle rides over time by adding them to your McR profile’s lists, and you’ll be able to refer back to the list anytime you’re ready to plan your next motorbike vacation!

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Appalachian Mountains
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Atlantic Coast *
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• East coast
• Florida
• Georgia
• Germany *
• Great Leak (Michigan)
• Hawaii *
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri*
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Note 1: The information below was obtained in early January 2019 and is subject to change when new motorcycle roads are added to the collection.

Note 2: How did these popularity scores come to be?

The popularity of a motorcycle road can be determined by a number of things. Our research looked at several clear signs of motorcycle route popularity, such as the “Rider Rating” scores (star ratings) for each road and the most popular motorcycle road description pages. However, the analysis looked at some less obvious but important indicators of a motorcycle road’s popularity, such as how often a given motorcycle road was added to riders’ “To Ride” lists, how often a given motorcycle road was added to riders’ “Rode it” lists, and enthusiasm indicators like how often photos and/or videos were uploaded for a given road, as well as which roads are attracting the most buzz among motorcycle roads, as indicated by those roads that are receiving the most traffic. We utilize a popularity algorithm that “crunches those numbers” and allows us to generate a ranking of the popularity of each of the motorcycle roads used as a basis for this guide in order to be as consistent and objective as possible.