BEST MOTORCYCLE RIDES IN TENNESSEE
What are the best motorcycle rides near me in Tennessee? Below is our list for the Top 7 Best Tennessee Motorcycle Rides:
MOTORCYCLE RIDES NEAR ME IN TENNESSEE
Below is our in-depth list of the best Tennessee motorcycle routes! Home to some of the most famous motorcycle roads in the country, TN offers variety from the white-knuckled ‘Dragon’, to the more relaxed and scenic Natchez Trace Parkway. There are plenty of excellent motorcycle rides to be found in this great state. So saddle up – because we’ve got the best motorcycle roads in TN right here!
TIPS FOR TENNESSEE MOTORCYCLE RIDES
If you’re looking for places to ride a motorcycle in Tennessee, keep in mind TN gets hot and humid in the summers and gets cool winters. Which means these great Tennessee motorcycle rides can be done virtually year-round, but be sure to check the weather forecast ahead of time so you can comfortably take on these curvy roads in TN!
IS THERE A HELMET LAW IN TENNESSEE?
While you’re riding these TN motorcycle trips, be aware of the state’s motorcycle helmet law. According to TN law, an approved safety helmet is required to be worn by motorcyclists. The motorcyclist also must wear eye protection unless
his/her motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.
Read more:
tntrafficsafety.org
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DEALS GAP (THE DRAGON)
ROUTE: US-129 / 115
DISTANCE: 11 miles
TIME: 30 mins
Possibly the most infamous route among motorcyclists is on Deals Gap. This great motorcycle ride in TN boasts a whopping 318 curves in just 11 miles. Deals Gap, (sometimes called the Tail of the Dragon
), is a 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 combining a pleasing rhythm of tight turns – the appeal of this
adventure is actually just riding it. 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,
this Tennessee motorcycle road is truly like no other, and is a definite “bucket list” for any accomplished motorcyclist.
(photo: neilpeart.net)
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
CHEROHALA SKYWAY
ROUTE: TN-165
DISTANCE: 24 miles (TN side)
TIME: 30 mins
“A drive among the clouds”, the Cherohala Skyway is one of the best Tennessee motorcycle rides. The Cherohala Skyway is a motorcyclist’s dream route that reaches elevations of over 5400 feet high. Tennessee’s portion of this most excellent route starts in Tellico Plains and continues through North Carolina. The road is full of extraordinary mountainside forest scenery. While the Tail of the Dragon gets most of the praise for its legendary curves, many will testify this TN motorcycle road is more enjoyable. The curves open up and relax a bit more, yet they keep coming one after another with the added dimension of long winding climbs and descents. Stunning long-range views can be enjoyed from overlooks and rest areas along the Cherohala Skyway.
Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link
FOOTHILLS PARKWAY
ROUTE: Foothills Pkwy
DISTANCE: 32 miles
TIME: 1 hour
The Foothills Parkway is one of the best Tenne motorcycle rides in the state. The Foothills Parkway is a serene 2-lane road that is truly a great motorcycling road in TN. There are no billboards, homes, or commercial buildings. The Foothills Parkway is as pristine as it gets for a Tennessee motorcycle trip. The southern section is an easy ride, with slight curves, straightaways and panoramic mountain vistas. The northern section gets a bit more technical. Be sure to check out some of the beautiful overlooks along this route.
(photo: Patrick Hale)
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY
ROUTE: Natchez Trace Pkwy
DISTANCE: 100 miles (TN side)
TIME: 2 hours
The Natchez Trace Parkway is an all American motorcycle road that offers plenty of scenic nature views while you traverse the hills. The TN portion is roughly 100 miles, but the Natchez Trace motorcycle ride continues south through Alabama and Mississippi. This TN motorcycle road is particularly great for riders, as commercial traffic is prohibited and there’s no stop signs or stop lights! Just cruise among the beautiful scenery and historic sites, and enjoy one of the best Tennessee motorcycle roads!
(photo: natcheztracetravel.com)
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
EXPLORE MORE >>
NEWFOUND GAP ROAD
ROUTE: US-441
DISTANCE: 36 miles
TIME: 1 hour
Starting from Gatlinburg, TN, travelers climb approximately 3,000 feet, ascending through pine-oak and northern hardwood forest to attain the evergreen forest at Newfound Gap (5,046′). The ride to the North Carolina border is about 17 miles, then about 19 miles if you’re riding down to Cherokee, NC on the other side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Be ready for some cooler weather the higher you go, even in the summer! Newfound Gap is actually the lowest drive-able pass through the park. Not only are there significant altitude changes, but motorcyclists looking for scenic, curvy roads will enjoy switchbacks and even a full ‘corkscrew’ on this road – all on beautifully maintained pavement. It’s best to select your riding time wisely, as peak tourist season will make this often a busy road. Early morning and weekdays will be less frustrating for motorcyclists. Despite that, Newfound Gap Rd is truly one of the most inspiring motorcycle rides in the United States!
Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link
TENNESSEE ROUTE 232
ROUTE: TN-232
DISTANCE: 14 miles
TIME: 30 mins
Dubbed by many as “Tennessee’s Baby Dragon”, TN-232 is a rather short TN motorcycle ride, but nonetheless it’s a worthwhile endeavor. A continuous string of curves and corners, many riders will use the Tennessee Route 232 stretch of road to practice for the more technical Deals Gap (route above). There are more sweepers here than tight turns. It’s a fun motorcycle route best ridden in springtime or autumn to enjoy Tennessee’s best seasonal scenery.
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
DEVIL’S TRIANGLE
ROUTE: TN-62, TN-116, TN-330
DISTANCE: 44 miles
TIME: 1 hour
The Devils Triangle is a great Tennessee motorcycle road in the mountains of the Cumberland Plateau. This great TN motorcycle ride is made up of some of the most unusual two lane twisty roads in the state. The tight twisting curves are as good as the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, but there are even more challenges here; deep rock strewn gullies just off the pavement, ragged, rusty steel guard rails, steep drop offs and rock cliffs leave no room for error. The section of 116 is particularly enjoyable as there are sweeping turns and some tight 180’s that keep your attention. The road quality is fairly good, but riders may find some spots of gravel and the route has some patch work in a few areas.
(photo: devilstriangletn.com)
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Visit our friends at BikeWeekEvents.com to find local TN Motorcycle Rallies and all scheduled bike shows happening in Tennessee!
The world famous Dragon at Deals Gap (sometimes called Tail of the Dragon) motorcycle route begins at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort in North Carolina, and winds across the Tennessee state line. It is 11 miles in length.
Try to go the speed you are comfortable with before entering a tight curve. Avoid using your front brake while in the turn. Mountainside twisties often change in elevation, so if you’re not familiar with the road, go slower upon entry. If you think you’re losing the curve, don’t focus on what you’re afraid you’ll hit, such as a guardrail or oncoming vehicles. Keep your head turned in the direction you want to be. Don’t give up on the curve!
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WHERE CAN I FIND SCENIC MOTORCYCLE ROUTES NEAR ME AROUND TENNESSEE?
GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is the place to find the best motorcycle roads and rides near Tennessee and the Southeast United States. Discover more great motorcycle roads in the Southeast with our detailed route descriptions and Google Maps links!
