Okay so how to find the best motorcycle destinations… that’s the million-dollar question, right?
Like, I don’t know about you, but every time I try to plan a trip, I go from “let’s just take a chill ride through the hills” to “should I ride to freaking Alaska?” in the time it takes to microwave leftover pizza. (Three minutes. Crunchy crust. Worth it.)
And then I get overwhelmed, spend four hours Googling “scenic routes near me,” and somehow end up watching a YouTube video of a guy riding through Peru with a monkey on his shoulder. No idea how I got there. No regrets.
Anyway. If your brain also short-circuits when you try to plan where to ride next—welcome. Pull up a camp chair. I’m about to walk you through my very real, very chaotic process for finding epic motorcycle trip spots without turning into a ball of stress-flavored trail mix.
Step 1: Embrace the “Vibe-First” Approach
Most travel guides will be like, “Plan your route based on distance, fuel stops, and elevation data.”
Yeah, no thanks.
I plan based on vibe. I ask myself: What kind of emotional breakdown am I craving right now?
- Am I in the mood to scream into the ocean from a cliff?
→ Pacific Coast Highway. Boom. - Wanna feel tiny and dramatic in the mountains?
→ Colorado, baby. - Need a quiet, winding ride that makes me feel like a mysterious biker in a Netflix drama?
→ Blue Ridge Parkway or some backroad in Vermont.
Figure out your ride vibe, not just your GPS coordinates.
Step 2: Ask Your Friends (Even the Ones Who Overshare)
I got this one buddy—let’s call him Chad (his name is actually Chad). Dude has a map of the U.S. on his garage wall with strings and pins and notes like “Do not stop at this gas station, terrifying raccoon situation.”
Sometimes, I’ll just text him:
Me: “Where should I ride next?”
Chad: “Devil’s Backbone. 337. Texas. Go.”
Me: “Is it pretty?”
Chad: “Yes. But also terrifying. You’ll love it.”
Gold.
Even if your friends are the type who ride only to Starbucks, somebody knows a guy who knows a place. Tap into that network. People love sharing their ride stories (even when you didn’t ask).
Step 3: Use the Internet (But Don’t Let It Suck Your Soul)
Alright, let’s be real—the web is both a treasure chest and a time-wasting goblin pit.
That said, these spots have helped me find some real gems:
- MotorcycleRoads.com – legit lists, user reviews, and sometimes weirdly poetic route descriptions
- Reddit /r/motorcycles – unhinged but useful
- YouTube – just type in “motorcycle ride [your state]” and see where the chaos leads
- Google Maps (with satellite view) – I literally just look for twisty roads. I’m not kidding. Zoom in. Follow the curves. Feel like Sherlock Holmes but for bikes.
Step 4: Trust the Gas Station Guy
No joke—some of the best roads I’ve ridden were recommended by complete strangers at gas stations. There’s just something about a 63-year-old man in overalls who says, “Take the old logging road, not the new one. Trust me.”
I always trust him. I’ve never regretted it.
Well, okay. Once. There were cows. But overall? 10/10 would follow again.
Bonus tip: If the stranger has bugs in their beard and a bike that looks like it was built in 1978 and hasn’t been washed since—listen to them. They know things.
Step 5: Be Cool with Getting Lost (Within Reason)
Let me tell you about the time I “accidentally” ended up in a town that wasn’t even on my map.
I was following a route that looked twisty and fun, but halfway through I realized I hadn’t seen another soul in 40 minutes. No cell service. Just me, my thoughts, and a suspiciously large squirrel that may have been planning a coup.
I finally found a town called Pine Creek (population: 74), where the one diner served pie and had a dog inside that barked every time someone said “Harley.” It was weird. I loved it.
Point is: don’t be so glued to your route that you miss the detours. The detours are where the magic lives (and the pie).
Step 6: Mix Big Rides with Little Surprises
Sure, you’ve got your bucket-list rides—Tail of the Dragon, Beartooth Highway, Going-to-the-Sun Road. They’re iconic, epic and crowded as hell on weekends.
But some of the best rides aren’t famous. They’re just perfect for you right now. Like that tree-lined county road near your hometown you never noticed before. Or that path behind your cousin’s barn that somehow connects to a ridge overlooking a lake.
Don’t chase fame. Chase joy. And views. And weird road signs.
Things I Always Bring (Besides Questionable Judgment)
- A crumpled paper map with coffee stains on it (never fails)
- A Sharpie for writing down route names on my arm
- Snacks that melt instantly but I still pack them every time
- An extra bungee cord (don’t ask—just always bring one)
- Cheap motel addresses written in a tiny notebook labeled “PLAN Z”
Oh, and Don’t Be a Jerk
Wherever you end up—be cool. Tip the waitress. Don’t rev your engine in the parking lot at 6 a.m. Say thanks when someone tells you about a route that ends in a waterfall and a sandwich shack.
Good road karma is a real thing.
✌️ Final-ish Thought about how to find the best motorcycle destinations
If you’re still wondering how to find the best motorcycle destinations, the short answer is: ride more, stress less, and listen to weird advice from internet strangers and gas station prophets.
Start small. Or start big. Just start. The road will do the rest.
If you ever see a confused biker on the side of the road staring at a hand-drawn map, muttering about pie and twisties—that’s probably me. Wave hi. Or offer snacks.
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