Let me tell you how I discovered the best roads for motorcycle road trips in 2025: by accident. Literally.
Somewhere near the tail-end of California’s Highway 36—right where it starts whispering sweet nothings to the Pacific Ocean—I took a corner a little too enthusiastically. Front tire chirped. Rear tire laughed. My life flashed before my eyes and it was mostly just blurry footage of me eating gas station burritos and yelling at Siri.
But I didn’t crash. I survived. And holy crap, it was worth it. That road? Absolutely bananas in the best way.
So if you’re chasing freedom, wind, and the occasional existential crisis in your helmet, here are some of the wildest, twistiest, most grin-inducing roads I’ve ridden (or dreamt of riding) across the U.S. in 2025.
🏞️ 1. The Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1)
State: California
Length: Roughly 650 miles
Vibes: Ocean mist, sharp cliffs, and the occasional snooty Tesla trying to pass you
Listen. You can’t not talk about the Pacific Coast Highway when discussing top motorcycle routes in the U.S. It’s iconic. Like, James-Dean-on-a-Triumph kind of iconic.
Riding this in 2025 feels like you’re starring in your own overpriced indie movie, except instead of a script, it’s just your gut and Google Maps. You’ll hit Big Sur, maybe stop at Nepenthe for coffee that costs $9 (don’t ask), and realize halfway through Monterey that you forgot sunscreen. Again.
There’s something about the sound of waves crashing while your engine hums below you that just… clears the soul. Or maybe that’s just heatstroke.
🏔️ 2. Beartooth Highway (US 212)
States: Montana & Wyoming
Length: 68 miles
Vibes: Altitude headaches, snowy in July, but pure magic
I’ll be honest. I didn’t mean to ride Beartooth in early June. But plans shifted (read: my friend bailed last-minute), and I ended up alone, ascending this monster of a highway that climbs up to nearly 11,000 feet.
Somewhere above the treeline, snow was still piled on the shoulders, and I was riding through clouds—literal clouds. I stopped at one of the overlooks and met this dude named Carl who claimed to have seen Bigfoot “just the week before.”
Carl may have been high, but he wasn’t wrong about the view. Unreal.
Just… pack layers. Like, all the layers.
🌲 3. The Tail of the Dragon (US 129)
States: Tennessee & North Carolina
Length: 11 miles
Vibes: Pure curves. No mercy. Tons of GoPros.
Okay. Real talk? The Tail of the Dragon is either your dream or your nightmare. 318 curves in 11 miles? That’s not a road, that’s a challenge from the universe.
I’ve ridden it twice. First time: terrified, white-knuckled, felt like my bike was judging me. Second time: still terrified, but grinning like an idiot.
There’s a photographer that camps out near the hardest turns and uploads your pic online. Which is both cool and horrifying if you happen to stall in front of him (which I did. Naturally).
🏜️ 4. Utah’s Scenic Byway 12
State: Utah
Length: 122 miles
Vibes: Red rock heaven, aliens might be watching
You ever feel like you’re riding on Mars?
That’s Byway 12. From Escalante to Capitol Reef, this road is just one massive, jaw-dropping geological flex. I saw arches, canyons, slot caves—and almost hit a wild turkey.
The elevation shifts are bonkers. One minute you’re sweating in desert sun, the next you’re putting on your hoodie ‘cause it dropped to 50°F.
I pulled over somewhere between Boulder and Torrey, stared at the horizon, and muttered to myself, “I could live here.” Then a lizard ran over my boot and I changed my mind.
🌊 5. Going-to-the-Sun Road
State: Montana
Length: 50 miles
Vibes: Glacier views, narrow AF, peak summer only
This one’s short but mighty. Like, it’s only open for like 3-4 months a year depending on snow, and half the time you’re riding with zero guardrail and a sheer drop-off next to you.
So yeah, maybe don’t blink.
But wow. The first time I did this ride I legit got emotional. Like, “is someone cutting onions in my helmet?” emotional. Mountains stretch forever, waterfalls crash down beside you, and if you’re lucky, a mountain goat will photobomb your selfie.
🍁 6. The Kancamagus Highway (NH 112)
State: New Hampshire
Length: 34 miles
Vibes: Autumn explosion, chill as heck
I did this one on a borrowed bike in October. The kind of New England fall you see on postcards? That’s the Kanc.
Leaves the color of fire, misty mornings, covered bridges, old diners with pancakes the size of hubcaps… it’s got cozy apocalypse vibes.
And if you’re from the West like me, you’ll be stunned by how close everything is. You can ride three states in a weekend. It’s wild. https://bikelovezone.com/best-motorcycle-road-trip-gear/.
🎢 Honorable Mentions (aka: still on my bucket list)
- Blue Ridge Parkway (NC to VA): 469 miles of slow, scenic, dreamy riding
- The Ozarks Pig Trail (AR-23): Twistier than my ex’s logic
- Cherohala Skyway: Elevation with a side of serenity
- Million Dollar Highway (CO-550): No guardrails, no chill, pure adrenaline
Stuff Nobody Tells You about best roads for motorcycle road trips
- Road conditions change hourly. Bring layers, rain gear, and the patience of a monk.
- Motorcycle-specific GPS? Not always smarter than a phone. Mine once led me into a logging road in Oregon.
- Locals know best. Stop at diners. Talk to old guys in trucker hats. They know the good routes (and where the pie’s decent).
- Fuel stops aren’t optional. Especially in Utah. Learned that one the hard way at 2% battery and 1% gas tank.
🌐 Suggested Links for Further Spiral:
- Butler Maps’ Best Motorcycle Roads — legit gold for planning
- Common Tread from RevZilla — great ride reviews and trip reports
