TOP 10 MOTORCYCLE RIDES IN AMERICA FOR 2025

VIRGINIA
DISTANCE: 32 miles
RIDE TIME: 1 hour

If you’ve never heard of the Back of the Dragon, it’s time to discover one of the curviest motorcycle roads in the US. The Back of the Dragon motorcycle ride is located in Virginia on a section of VA-16. This twisty motorcycle route will take the rider through Virginia’s mountains with curves, switchbacks and elevation changes. It’s a beautiful, scenic road, but you’ll probably be spending most of your focus on the technical aspect of this ride. Nevertheless, there are numerous pull-offs with opportunities to properly take in the fantastic views. Additionally, while the actual Back of the Dragon motorcycle route is 32 miles in length, the ride from Tazewell to Troutdale is well worth it, and that entire 50 mile route is on our Google maps motorcycle route link below. Find out why VA-16 is one of the top 10 motorcycle rides in the US for 2025!
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(photo: backofthedragon.com)


Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link

COLORADO
DISTANCE: 24 miles
TIME: 40 mins

The Million Dollar Highway is a special section of road on US-550 in Colorado. It’s an amazing motorcycle ride with hairpin turns, exciting curves and dramatic cliffs. At 11,000ft, riders will traverse the summit of Red Mountain Pass, which is the highest point of the road. The many pull outs allow riders to take a few moments to appreciate the views. Motorcyclists will want to take advantage of these, as you’ll want to focus on the road while riding. Many of the drop off have no guardrails, so caution is needed when travelling by motorcycle here. The Million Dollar Highway motorcycle ride is part of the San Juan Mountain Skyway, which is an all-American scenic road that includes portions of US Hwy 550, US Hwy 160 and State Hwy 145. All things considered, if you’re looking for an exceptionally good motorcycle road in 2025, don’t forget about the amazing Million Dollar Highway motorcycle ride!

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Click here for the motorcycle route   map for the Million Dollar Highway on Google maps.

SOUTH DAKOTA
DISTANCE: 39 miles
TIME: 1.5 miles

The Needles Highway on SD-87 is named after the high granite “needles” it winds among, and passes through two tunnels blasted through sheer granite walls. It’s an extremely impressive ride that includes sharp turns, narrow tunnels, granite spires and world class views. On one famous section, riders can experience the sensation of threading your motorcycle through the eye of a needle! Needles Eye Tunnel is just 8 feet 4 inches wide and is the most famous of the three tunnels on the road. Additionally, the road pavement quality is excellently maintained here as well, making it one of the top South Dakota motorcycle rides. This is one of the go-to routes for those attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. With it’s incredible scenery, the Needles Highway is one of the top 10 motorcycle rides in America.

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(photo: M. Mike)


Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link

WYOMING
DISTANCE: 63 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

This lesser known motorcycle ride is along Wyoming Route 296. Start in Cody, and head 63 miles northwest where it meets with the legendary Beartooth Highway motorcycle ride . The road is smooth and has long sweeping turns that climb up and down some of the most beautiful mountain passes Wyoming has to offer. The great thing about this WY motorcycle road is that riding in two different directions feels like two completely different roads. As a result, the Chief Joseph Byway is a great option for those who want to try one of the most under-rated top 10 motorcycle rides in America!

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Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link

ARIZONA
DISTANCE: 130 miles
TIME: 3.5 hours

This north–south United States highway is an absolutely terrific Arizona motorcycle ride, especially on the Coronado Trail Scenic Road designated section. Known to some as the Devil’s Highway (old Arizona 666 Hwy), the Coronado Trail is not recommended for beginner riders. Forests, desert, canyons, reservoirs and mountain vistas can all be seen on this route while twisting and curving through the Apache–Sitgreaves National Forests of eastern Arizona. Heading north, the road increases in elevation, and you’ll be able to stop to check out the awesome scenic overlooks. In fact, there’s an elevation difference of some 5,000ft from start to finish on this scenic motorcycle ride, which offers an incredible diversity of landscapes. Some riders say this is the best motorcycle road in the entire southwest United States! For an amazing Arizona motorcycle ride, don’t miss the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway on US-191!

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Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link

IDAHO / MONTANA
DISTANCE: 205 miles
TIME: 4.5 hours

This portion of the Lewis & Clark Trail takes you through the Rocky Mountains of Idaho and Montana. US-12 winds through excellent scenery and well marked curves. The views of the Lochsa River are wonderful. Furthermore, the road pavement quality is also very good on the Lolo Pass motorcycle route. Riding up to Lolo Pass is a unique, awe-inspiring experience. From the pass, you can see beautiful views of the Montana mountain scenery. However, the ride itself is also enjoyable, featuring the smooth twisties and narrow roads many motorcyclists love. All together, many riders say this one surpasses them all for continuous curves, beauty, distance and overall riding quality.

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Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link

ARKANSAS
DISTANCE: 156 miles
TIME: 3.5 hours

What’s one of the top 10 motorcycle rides in America that’s also a state scenic byway? That would be the thoroughly enjoyable Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway. Although there are many great motorcycle rides in the Ozarks, Arkansas Hwy 7 is one of our top 10 motorcycle rides in America. In short, the reasons are that the byway actually serves as a gateway into the heart of the Ozarks. Additionally, the route travels through much of the state of Arkansas, so motorcyclists will have the opportunity to travel through four geographical regions of the state. Motorcycle riders traveling on Arkansas Hwy 7 will ride among rolling terrain, dense pine forests and deep canyons. Also motorcycle riders will love the many curves and elevation changes on the Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway.

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Click here for the motorcycle map route of Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway on Google maps.

CALIFORNIA
DISTANCE: 655 miles
TIME: 8 hours

California 1 is an epic motorcycle route runs along most of the Pacific coastline of California, and is about 656 miles. With that much length, there’s a tremendous amount to see. There’s access to beaches, State and National Parks, including Redwoods National Park, and the amazing Big Sur area. Additionally, this CA motorcycle ride even includes the famous Golden Gate Bridge. From south to north, the famous scenic portions are between Orange County and Mendocino County area. But nearly the entire route has varying degrees of stunning scenery along the glittering Pacific. In other words, if you’ve never travelled on this iconic road, find out why California Hwy 1 is on our list for the top 10 motorcycle rides in America!

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Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link

TENNESSEE / NORTH CAROLINA
DISTANCE: 11 miles
TIME: 30 mins

Possibly the most infamous route among motorcyclists boasts a whopping 318 curves in just 11 miles. Deals Gap, (sometimes called the Tail of the Dragon), is a twisty motorcycle road many riders attempt just for the challenge. This stretch of U.S. 129 is a beautiful piece of road, perfectly engineered in banking, immaculately paved, and combines a pleasing rhythm of tight turns. The appeal of this great motorcycle road is actually just riding it, and that’s why it’s on our list for the top 10 motorcycle rides in America. There are no intersecting roads or driveways to hamper your travel, however the sheer popularity of this road means there will almost always be many riders in front of you and behind you. Still, Deals Gap is one of the top 10 motorcycle rides in the US for 2025 and it’s a definite “bucket list” ride for any accomplished motorcyclist.
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Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link

NEVADA
DISTANCE: 65 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

This amazing scenic motorcycle trip leads to Nevada’s oldest state park, known for its red sandstone formations. The geologic wonderland that is Valley of Fire State Park is one of the best motorcycle rides near Las Vegas. Part of what makes this Nevada motorcycle route so great is the variety of scenery – Aztec sandstone, canyons, lake reservoir and vast, open desert road! The serene Lake Mead is just south of here and worth the motorcycle ride as well.  If you’re looking to find motorcycle rides near Las Vegas, the  scenic Valley of Fire Highway is one of the Top 10 motorcycle rides in the US for 2025!

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Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link