BEST MOTORCYCLE RIDES IN TEXAS

ROUTES: FM 170, Santa Elena Canyon Rd
DISTANCE: 59 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

The Big Bend area is certainly spectacular riding, and this is one of the best motorcycle roads in Texas. From west to east, the ride itself is a nice ascent into the mountains. Start this route on FM 170 from Lajitas and follow to the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. It’s an incredibly scenic ride, with mountains, valleys, hills and curves. The tail end of this route leads along the Rio Grande to the amazing Santa Elena Canyon Overlook. The Chisos Basin area of the park has some winding switchbacks and has monumental rock formations to ride through as well. Extend this route to the nearby Big Bend National Park entrance for a longer ride to make for the best motorcycle ride in Texas!
(photo: neilpeart.net)


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ROUTES: Park Rd 4, FM 1431, Lime Creek Rd
DISTANCE: 77 miles
TIME: 2 hours

What is the best motorcycle ride near me in Austin, TX? The route from Park Road 4 to Lime Creek Road is one of the best scenic motorcycle rides near Austin, Texas. Texas Park Road 4 starts out with some straight road with some nice hills, then a great big hill that drops with awesome views of the valley. Ride alongside Cavern State Park and Inks Lake State Park. The highway connects State Highway 29 to U.S. Route 281. Try this route in the spring during bluebonnet season for exceptional roadside beauty. From Marble Falls, connect to FM 1431 and head east. Much of this motorcycle ride in Texas carves around close to the Colorado River. There are some very technical curves and hairpin turns along the western side of this motorcycle route on Lime Creek Road, making it a fun challenge for more experienced motorcycle riders. Long portions of the Anderson Mill part of the ride have new pavement as of 2024, which makes for a huge improvement. If you’re looking for curvy roads near me in Austin, don’t miss this exciting motorcycle ride with turn after turn, multiple hills, and great scenery.
(photo: reddit / brigitteintexas)


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ROUTES: TX-41, 335, 336, 337
DISTANCE: 112 miles
TIME: 2.5 hours

Locals call this great motorcycle ride Texas’ own ‘Tail of the Dragon’, and for good reason. These roads carve and twist among clear rivers, through the dense green hills of Central Texas. There’s constant switchbacks for miles, sweeping curves looking out over some nice vistas and some nice downhill curves – all of which offers motorcyclists an extremely technical, fun ride to navigate. Most motorcyclists agree that spring time is the best season to ride here as far as the scenery. The flowers are in bloom everywhere and the colors are terrific. Enjoy this roller coaster road through some of the best scenery in Texas!
(photo: T. Bradsaw)


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ROUTES: Willow City Loop, Hwy 16
DISTANCE: 21 miles
TIME: 45 mins

A few miles outside of Fredericksburg in Central Texas is the 21 mile Willow City Loop. Known for its spectacular wildlife scenery, Willow City Loop in is a beautiful journey through the open range. Take this ride for a unique combination of small, rural back road with incredible scenery, with few cross roads or intersections. Weekend traffic on this loop can be heavy with sightseers, so early mornings or weekdays will be a better ride on this TX motorcycle road through the rugged, awe inspiring Texas Hill Country. The Willow City loop is perfect for those looking for curvy roads near me in Texas!

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ROUTE: FM 170
DISTANCE: 115 miles
TIME: 3 hours

Starting in the tiny far western community of Candelaria is Farm Road 170, a highway which offers adventurous motorcyclists the opportunity to travel along the western Texas border. 170 is also known to locals as “The River Road,” because part of it skirts along the U.S. side of the Rio Grande River. Ride along this Texas motorcycle road through ghost towns and the mountainous Big Bend Ranch State Park with steep inclines and sharp turns. In fact, in some spots, there are rollercoaster-like elevation changes while the Rio Grande is often visible from the roadside. This route can be extended by continuing onto Santa Elena Canyon Road past the western portion of Big Bend National Park.
(photo: solsalute.com)


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ROUTE: TX-16
DISTANCE: 37 miles
TIME: 1 hour

Just east of the above mentioned Twisted Sisters motorcycle ride is this scenic beautiful Texas back road. Start this awesome TX motorcycle ride from Kerrville on Route 16, past Medina to Bandera, TX. A few reasons to ride with cautious vigilance here – be watchful for deer, especially if you happen to be riding in the early morning or late evening hours. And due to the number of turns, gravel can surprise you in certain spots due to cars running off the road edge. That being said, there’s beautiful scenery in the spring and fall. Ride along with lots of great twists, tight turns, sweeping curves, beautiful scenery and several river crossings. Locals will tell you it’s better to ride this from north to south, but this ride is so much fun you’ll want to turn around and ride it again!

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ROUTE: TX-39
DISTANCE: 35 miles
TIME: 45 mins

For one of the best Texas motorcycle rides, check out TX-39. This great motorcycle ride in TX is very close to the above mentioned Route 16. This is a great road among northwest San Antonio’s beautiful country. There’s a fair amount of twists and turns. It’s a curvy and fun ride and not overly technical. Riding here will offer beautiful views of the Guadalupe River. For an even longer ride, turn south in the middle of this route on 187 toward Vanderpool, and check out the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum. If riding after a rainstorm, watch for water crossings at the low areas. If you’re looking for motorcycle rides near me in San Antonio, be sure to check out Hwy 39!


Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link

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