BEST MOTORCYCLE RIDES IN ILLINOIS

ROUTE: IL-2
DISTANCE: 42 miles
TIME: 1 hour

The route from Rockford to Dixon is one of the best Illinois motorcycle rides that features exceptional views as it follows the Rock River through heavily wooded areas, rock wall cliffs, scenic farmland and quaint country towns. Castle Rock State Park is a great place to stop and check out the spectacular view of the Rock River Valley. If you’re looking for a nice motorcycle ride in Illinois, this is one of the state’s best. Enjoy this motorcycle ride in Illinois along the river and check out the rock formations and ravines along the way.


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ROUTE: IL-71
DISTANCE: 51 miles
TIME: 1 hour

IL-71 is one of the top Illinois motorcycle rides in the state. There’s some nice, open stretches on the northern side of this Illinois motorcycle route, with views of countryside farms most of the way. Riding along near Ottawa, the river views are exceptional. The road gets more hilly, and there are some tight curves to navigate towards the Starved Rock area. Some of the curves may take you by surprise, so newcomers may want to take these with caution. Heavier traffic has been noted more so on weekends in this area. But overall, this is a pleasurable ride as most of road is well paved, making it one of the best motorcycle roads in Illinois.


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ROUTES: Elizabeth Rd, S Derinda Rd, Route 4
DISTANCE: 38 miles
TIME: 1 hour

The route from Mt Carrol to Scales Mound is a little known gem, but it’s a great motorcycle road in Illinois with perfect views, great pavement quality and almost no vehicle traffic. Motorcyclists will enjoy this roller coaster ride – there’s lots of hills, turns and curves from beginning to end and top notch scenery throughout. This Illinois motorcycle route has a few route changes, but from Mt. Carroll, just follow the signs to Elizabeth and after IL-20, head north for more great riding to Scales Mound, IL. Just click on the map link for the direct Google maps route, and explore one of the best Illinois motorcycle rides!


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ROUTES: US Hwy 51, Old Hwy 51, IL-127
DISTANCE: 46 miles
TIME: 1 hour

This Illinois motorcycle route gives motorcyclists a great ride along the Trail of Tears State Forest with tree-lined roads that cascade down into panoramic views of the rolling countryside. Start in Murphysboro, south to Anna, and back up north to Carbondale. There are many hills and curves, and Old US Hwy 51 has several sharp curves riders will thoroughly enjoy. Find out why the Carbondale Loop is one of the top Illinois motorcycle rides!


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ROUTE: IL-100
DISTANCE: 140 miles
TIME: 3 hours

Just north of St. Louis is IL-100 on the western side of Illinois. There’s some great views of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, along with some excellent countryside and farmland scenery to motorcycle ride through. In Alton, there’s a popular motorcyclist’s stop, Fast Eddies, for some good fun and food. The road surface of this Illinois motorcycle ride is generally smooth throughout, and there’s some gently sweeping corners to navigate. Autumn may be one of the best seasons to motorcycle Alton to Havana on IL-100, as the foliage colors are fantastic on this scenic motorcycle route.


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ROUTES: IL-26, IL-89
DISTANCE: 96 miles
TIME: 2 hours

If you’re looking for the best motorcycle rides in central Illinois, be sure to check out the Peoria Loop ride. It’s just less than 100 miles to do the entire loop, and can be done in about 2 hours. This route can be started in Peoria, IL and head north on IL-26. Route 26 rides along the Illinois River up to Hennepin, IL. The road is very tree lined and shady, and offers a nice, country road that will offer regular glimpses of the river. Connect over to IL-89 and head back south through the countryside. The route can be combined with a visit to Starved Rock State Park. The park has amazing seasonal waterfalls, especially in the springtime. This side of the Illinois River is much less congested than on IL-29 on the west side of the river.


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ROUTES: IL-102, IL-113, IL-85
DISTANCE: 50 miles
TIME: 1 hour

This ride follows IL-102 on the East side of the Kankakee River, and then IL-113 on the West side of the river. The map link provided below will take you on a figure-eight with the bridge over the river at IL-85. The loop is between Kankakee and Wilmington, where you can get a taste of Route-66 and see the “Gemini Giant” in Wilmington IL. Plus you have the Kankakee River State Park along IL-102. The ride has beautiful, sweeping bends that are tree lined and provide shade with views of the river from both sides. This great motorcycle road in Illinois is about 50 miles and the loop will take just over an hour to ride.
(photo: listofparks.com)


Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link

GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is the place to find the best motorcycle roads and rides near Illinois and the Midwest United States. Discover more great motorcycle roads in the Midwest with our detailed route descriptions and Google Maps links!