Motorcycle road trips…..You ever wake up one day, look at your calendar, and think: “Screw this—I need wind, bugs in my teeth, and gas station beef jerky”?
Yeah, that was me last March.
I grabbed my helmet, said something dramatic like “I ride, therefore I am,” (no one heard me, thank God), and hit the road. No plan. Just vibes and a backpack full of granola bars I’d later regret.
If you’re even remotely wired like me—or just itching for a solid dose of adrenaline and open-sky therapy—then these motorcycle road trips are your jam. They’re messy, glorious, slightly dangerous, and completely unforgettable. Kind of like my love life, but let’s not go there.
Here’s my list of the best destinations for adventure seekers in the U.S. who don’t mind getting lost once or twice (on purpose or otherwise).
🌲 1. Alaska’s Dalton Highway: A Trip for the Wild at Heart
Let’s just start with the big one. The Dalton.
If you’ve never heard of it, just imagine 414 miles of mostly gravel, semi-trucks barreling by like you’re in a Mad Max reboot, and zero cell service. Like, NONE.
And I loved every dust-choked, butt-numbing minute of it.
Why it’s wild:
- Arctic Circle, baby. How many folks can say they rode there?
- Jaw-dropping scenery that flips between tundra, snow-capped peaks, and “is that a moose or a hallucination?”
- You will either find your soul—or lose your rear brake. Maybe both.
🌵 2. Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route (AZBDR)
This ride made me question whether my kidneys were still intact. And that’s how you know it was amazing.
If you’ve got a dual-sport bike and a questionable amount of self-preservation instinct, the AZBDR is pure adventure crack.
What to expect:
- Cactus forests, sketchy switchbacks, red rock canyons
- Sudden moments of peace in the desert where everything goes weirdly quiet
- That one moment where you yell “WOO!” for no reason
I may have dropped the bike three times, once while trying to open a Clif Bar. Don’t judge.
🌊 3. Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington
Alright, let’s take a breath from gravel-induced trauma and dip into moody forest vibes.
This loop in the Pacific Northwest is lush, dramatic, and so dang green it makes you feel like you’re riding through a fairy tale. One with fog and possibly Bigfoot.
Why it’s an underrated gem:
- Rainforest, mountains, coastline—all in one loop
- Chance of seeing elk… or feeling existential while staring at the Pacific
- You can camp at Lake Crescent and pretend you’re in a Jeep commercial
I stopped at a roadside diner and asked if they had Wi-Fi. The waitress looked at me and said, “Honey, we don’t even have TV.”
🏔️ 4. Colorado’s Alpine Loop
You ever feel like you’re in one of those adventure documentaries? You know, the kind where someone is narrating their inner monologue while conquering cliffs and fixing flat tires?
That was me. But with more profanity.
The Alpine Loop is no joke. It connects Lake City, Ouray, and Silverton—through steep climbs, switchbacks, and views that make your eyeballs sweat.
Things that happened:
- I met a guy riding with his dog in a sidecar. The dog wore goggles.
- I rode past a ghost town and forgot to breathe for a full minute.
- I made peace with the idea of possibly being eaten by a mountain lion.
Would do it again in a heartbeat.
🌾 5. Smoky Mountains: Tail of the Dragon + Cherohala Skyway Combo
You already know about Tail of the Dragon (318 curves in 11 miles, aka Arm Day for Motorcyclists), but pairing it with the Cherohala Skyway? Absolute chef’s kiss.
It’s like pairing whiskey with a steak. You don’t have to… but why the hell wouldn’t you?
Bonus Moments:
- Campfires with strangers who tell you ghost stories
- That giddy feeling after nailing the Dragon’s last curve without dropping a gear
- Local BBQ joints that will ruin you for anything else
🐊 6. The Everglades Loop, Florida (Yes, Really)
Okay, hear me out.
Florida is weird. Like, “Why is that guy in a cape riding a gator scooter?” kind of weird. But riding through the Everglades is its own strange, beautiful beast.
Why it surprised me:
- Flat, fast roads with wildlife sightings that feel like a Discovery Channel episode
- Warm breezes (read: sweat) and sudden rainstorms
- You feel alive in a “watch out for snakes” kind of way
Also, I once had a pelican land on my table while eating lunch. 10/10 chaos. Would recommend.
🧭 7. TransAmerica Trail (TAT)
If you’re feeling really spicy and like the idea of riding across the U.S. mostly on dirt, the TAT is your Everest.
It’s coast to coast—Virginia to Oregon—and it’s like time-traveling through backwoods America.
My takeaways:
- I fell in love with random small towns
- I nearly froze in Colorado and boiled in Mississippi
- I learned how to fix a busted chain with a multitool and a bad attitude
Bring extra socks. And a journal. And probably emotional support candy.
🧳 A Few Quickfire Faves for the Commitment-Phobes and motorcycle road trips
Shorter but still killer road trips for those of us who can’t (or don’t wanna) plan a month-long epic:
- Death Valley Loop (CA): Desert drama, epic sunrises, surprise cold nights
- Ozarks Ride (AR/MO): Twisty and criminally underrated
- Badlands to Black Hills (SD): Dino bones + biker bars + wide open nothingness
- Big Sur Day Blast (CA): Warning: you’ll cry at the cliffs. Probably.
✨ Things I’ve Learned about motorcycle road trips
And now… some unsolicited advice from someone who once packed nothing but beef jerky, a toothbrush, and optimism: https://bikelovezone.com/top-motorcycle-destinations/.
- Pack layers. The weather doesn’t care about your vibe.
- Don’t trust gas station sushi. Just… don’t.
- Always bring duct tape. I shouldn’t have to explain this.
- Have an offline map. Your phone will betray you the second you say, “It’s fine, I have service.”
- Say yes to detours. That weird dirt road with no sign? That’s where the magic is.
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