Nothing compares to the rush of wind in your face, the roar of your engine bouncing off picturesque canyons, and the feeling of freedom that only comes from the open road on two wheels. A road trip, especially for motorcycle enthusiasts, is more than a journey; it is an adventure-an experience, a realization of a dream.
From ocean vistas to mountain twists to wide-open desert roads, the globe is peppered with pavement that offers scenic views, asphalt challenges, and all the thrills the motorcycle gods can summon.
Below are 7 of the best road trips for motorcycle riders with diverse natural beauty, unforgettable scenery, and roads designed for the open road.
1. Pacific Coast Hwy, California, US
How: Drive along the Highway 1 from San Francisco to Los Angeles
Distance: ~450 miles
Ideal Season to Hit the Trails: Spring or early fall
The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most beautiful drives in the world & for any motorcyclist – a ride every rider puts on their bucket-list. Running up the rugged California coastline, this is one ride that includes spectacular ocean views, cliffside roads and towns like Monterey, Big Sur, and Santa Barbara along the way.
What Makes It Special:
- Never ending turns and climbing
- Historic attractions such as Bixby Bridge and Hearst Castle
- Seaside vistas of the Pacific Ocean with almost every bend
- Be it gliding past fog-kissed cliffs or catching a golden sunset over the sea, this road definitely deserves a bike.
2. Great Ocean Road (Victoria, Australia)
Route: Torquay to Allansford
Distance: ~150 miles
When to Ride: November – April
One of the scenic ride in Australia is the Great Ocean Road that runs along the southeastern coast of Australia and provides breathtaking ocean views, stretches of rainforest, and rock formations such as the Twelve Apostles.
Why Riders Love It:
- Tarmac that twists and turns with scenic pullouts
- Spotting wildlife like koalas and kangaroo
- An amalgamation of beachside communities, the waterfalls and the cliffs of the coast
- While it is not an all day affair, ideal for a long weekend trip, the route itself is filled with many stops and photo ops to enjoy.
3. Route 66 (USA)
Route:: Chicago, Ill. to Santa Monica, Calif.
Distance: ~2,400 miles
Ideal Season: May Through October
Nicknamed “The Mother Road,” this is the ultimate American road trip across eight states representing a bygone era of diners, neon signs, and classic Americana.
Highlights for Bikers:
- Old-school roadside attractions & motels
- Everything from the Great Plains to the Mojave Desert
- Quaint cities such as Tulsa, Amarillo and Flagstaff
- While much of the original road has been supplanted with interstates, a lot of it remains in an unbroken state and begging to be takin’ at 45 mph.
4. Alps (France, Swiss, Italy, Austrian)
Route: Different, but the Stelvio Pass and Grossglockner High Alpine Road are popular rides
Distance: Depends on the route
Ideal Season to Cycle: June to September
If you crave tarmac with technical challenges and breathtaking scenery, the Alps has some of the most exhilarating motorcycle routes on the planet. This area is a true biking paradise with hairpin turns, glacial lakes, and lofty summits.
What You’ll Experience:
- Famous Mountain Passes such as Stelvio, Furka and Col de l’Iseran
- Alpine villages steeped in history and places to stop and enjoy the view
- Subtle European roads designed to be rounded
- Expect sudden weather changes and altitude, but also, to die for riding.
5. The North Coast 500 (Scotland)
Route: Inverness-Inverness (circular)
Distance: ~516 miles
Ideal Season for Riding: From May till September
The North Coast 500 (NC500) in Scotland is sometimes referred to as the UK full of the Route 66. It is a coastal course that marries remote scenery, antiquity and highland ruggedness.
Why It’s a Rider’s Dream:
- What you learn: Winding singel tack roads with dramatic sea cliffs
- Photos of castles and lochs and whisky distilleries on the way
- Light traffic and panoramic views over moors and mountains
- Expect cool weather and rain while there but also raw nature and real beauty that will make it all worth it!
6. Garden Route (South Africa)
Enroute: Mossel Bay – Storms River
Distance: ~190 miles
Should you be riding: From October to April
South Africa Finding its way into the Top 10 coastline driving routes, The Garden Route, as the name implies, provides a combination of incredible forests, ocean cliff-following the highway, and majestic mountain passes. Although the route is of short mileage, it packs the diversity for the alternative tourer seeking off the beaten path adventure.
Route Highlights:
- Wildlife Abundant Locations and National Parks
- Stunning mountain passes such as Outeniqua and Swartberg
- A rich culture in places like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay
- Your ride will take you through some of Africa’s most stunning natural environments.
7. Leh-Manali Highway (India)
Route: Manali to Leh
Distance: ~300 miles
When to Go: June to September
First enter the Leh–Manali HighwayA highway for the brave-hearted. One of the most high-altitude and highest motorable passes traversed routes in the Himalayas, this route is a tough adventure overland.
What Makes It Unforgettable:
- Riding at a very high altitude with passes like Rohtang and Tanglang La
- Landscapes surreal, Buddhist monasteries in remote
- An ultimate test of endurance and motorcycle handling
This is a reason to prepare to ride here enough before you tread the high country with its rugged raw landscapes and little in the way of services, and in return for all that hard work are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment and awe like no other place.
Final Thoughts
Each offering their own unique thrills, these are the 7 best motorcycle road trips from the sun-kissed beaches of California to the high-altitude passes of the Himalayas. From the bliss of finding a tucked away seaside hamlet to the trickery of a narrow hairpin bend with a view that goes on forever, these routes aren’t just a way to get from point A to B, they’re a story for every motorcyclist.
When planning your travels keep in mind the following:
- Weather conditions at the time of year
- Places for Motorcyclists
- Fueling and maintenance stops
- Bike Gear For Different Weather And Locations
Far-off destinations are but one factor in the great road trip, where the sense of adventure or the freedom of the open road or one amazing experience after another accounts as well for millions upon millions of miles traveled on two wheels.