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. But 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 3 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. 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

TEXAS
DISTANCE: 274 miles
TIME: 6 hours

The Big Bend area in Texas offers spectacular motorcycle riding. From west to east, it’s a nice decent into the mountains. FM170 is often referred to as The River Road, as it follows the Rio Grande. From Lajitas follow the route down to the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. It’s an incredibly scenic ride, with mountains, valleys, hills and curves to 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. Additionally, the route also features rollercoaster-like elevation changes while the Rio Grande is often visible from the roadside. Extend this route to the nearby Big Bend National Park entrance for a longer ride to make it the best motorcycle ride in Texas for 2024!

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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

TENNESSEE, ALABAMA, MISSISSIPPI
DISTANCE: 16 miles
TIME: 30 mins

While most of the rides on this list are exciting challenges, sometimes you just need a relaxing cruise to clear the mind. That’s where the Natchez Trace Parkway comes in. This national parkway is a two-lane road that extends 444 miles from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. The National Park’s website calls it “A Drive through 10,000 Years of History”. It roughly follows the “Old Natchez Trace” a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, “Kaintucks,” European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents. There’s a few reasons why this motorcycle road is so unique and should be on a list for the top 10 motorcycle rides in America. Firstly, commercial traffic is prohibited, so traffic is generally light. The parkway is clean, smooth and relaxing. You wont be dealing with bumpy roads. Another benefit is the scenery. While there may not be epic mountainside views, the scenery is unique, because instead of utility poles and buildings, the Trace is lined with forests, farmland, creeks and countryside vistas. And best of all? There’s no stop signs or stop lights! Just cruise among the beautiful scenery and historic sites.

Check out more great motorcycle rides near me in Tennessee , motorcycle rides in Alabama and scenic roads in Mississippi .


Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link