BEST MOTORCYCLE RIDES IN OHIO

ROUTE: OH-536
DISTANCE: 12 miles
TIME: 30 mins

If you’re looking to find curvy roads to ride a motorcycle, this is the road for you! Steep hills and tight curves through the deep forest will describe this great Ohio motorcycle road dubbed the “Demon’s Backbone”. While relatively short in distance, Ohio Route 536 is a delightful challenge for experienced riders. Motorcyclists will find this road so challenging, there’s not a lot of opportunities to enjoy the scenery while riding. But look for great views of the Ohio River towards Hannibal, OH.
(photo: flickr.com)


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ROUTE: OH-555
DISTANCE: 58 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

Route 555 will delight with its challenging twists and curves – this should be on any rider’s to-do list. Ride among the beautiful isolated farms of southeastern Ohio with rolling hills, plenty of turns and elevation dips. There’s not much traffic as this OH motorcycle road is often very secluded. The portion from Brush Creek, OH to Chesterhill, OH is known to many as the Triple Nickel. This is the most challenging section of the ride, as there are lots of very tight corners, elevation drops and plenty of blind hills. The road has been recently repaved, making for a huge improvement as of 2024. If you’re looking for a challenging ride to hone your technical skills, this is the road for you!
(photo: visitzanesville.com)


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ROUTE: OH-78
DISTANCE: 106 miles
TIME: 2.5 hours

There are many great motorcycle routes in southeastern part of the state, but OH-78 is definitely one of the best motorcycle roads in Ohio! Ride through tight twisty roads that takes you through numerous elevation changes near Wayne National Forest and Burr Oak State Park. The portion between the rural farm towns of Glouster and McConnelsville is a special 20 mile stretch dubbed as the Ohio’s Dragon’s Tail. Here riders can test their technical skills with tight turns, 180-degree switchbacks, and steep terrain—this route isn’t for the faint of heart. This is a great ride for motorcycling in solitude, as there is minimal traffic on this road.


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ROUTE: OH-26
DISTANCE: 68 miles
TIME: 2 hours

If you’re looking for more of a relaxing motorcycle ride in Ohio, Route 26 is definitely one to check out, and it’s not far from the above mentioned Route 555. It’s a great, winding road that showcases the state’s natural beauty, as well as scenic covered bridges. Autumn may be the best season to check out this Ohio motorcycle ride. The twists and sweeping curves are fun, but not too technical that you can’t enjoy the scenery. The section from Marietta to Woodsfield will take you through the heart of the National Forest, but the ride continues to be great north to Route 148. The pavement quality is very good overall, so riders can enjoy the beautiful scenery with usually very little traffic.
(photo: flickr.com)


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ROUTE: OH-374
DISTANCE: 26 miles
TIME: 30 mins

The Hocking Hills region of Ohio is a beautiful place to ride a motorcycle. The Hocking Hills Scenic Byway follows State Route 374 and is surrounded by hills as riders traverse through the Hocking Hills State Park. Beginning at the intersection of Ohio Route 374 and U.S. Route 33, the byway stretches nearly 30 miles from Rockbridge to South Bloomingville and includes portions of state Routes 56, 374 and 664. Most of this great Ohio motorcycle ride is tree lined, and motorcyclists will enjoy the curves, hills and elevation changes. It’s a beautiful route in the fall, but summer and spring will be a great time to ride as well.


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ROUTE: OH-56
DISTANCE: 111 miles
TIME: 2.5 hours

OH-56 is a moderately twisted road that will take you through the rural beauty of southern Ohio. You’ll ride past golden wheat fields and farmlands at the start of this OH motorcycle route, and then straight into the twists and turns of the deep green Hocking Hills. This route ends in the Appalachian foothills, a prime spot for gazing into the countryside. Route 56 isn’t your typical country straightaway—it offers a mix of wide turns and tight twists. The rolling green hills surrounding Athens make for a soothing conclusion to an altogether energizing ride. It’s a great ride for those looking for a motorcycle ride near Columbus, OH.
(photo: neilpeart.net)


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ROUTE: US-62, OH-541, OH-60, OH-715
DISTANCE: 16 miles
TIME: 30 mins

For a great Ohio motorcycle route, check out this loop around the Woodbury Wildlife area. Route 715 is a twisty rural road that winds through the Walhonding and Mohican rivers with the foothills of the Appalachians in the distance. The road actually crosses the Mohawk Dam and the view can be seen for miles. The best portion of this route is OH-60, which runs seven miles through the Woodbury Wildlife Area. There’s nice rolling hills and beautiful scenery. Route 541 is the next-best section of this loop as it passes strip mines, hills, and trees. This is where the road gets more twisty, along with some elevation changes. As for road quality, Routes 60 and 36 are in excellent condition overall. This entire loop crosses lots of rivers and streams. It’s so beautiful, in fact, you may turn around and ride through it again!


Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link

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