Great Motorcycle Roads

US Route 550, San Juan Skyway (CO)
The Road: A winding 233-mile sequence of rises, dips, and bends in Colorado's San Juan Mountains that include the famous Million Dollar Highway.
The Ride: Hairy corners, plenty of wildlife, and a disarming lack of guardrails make this exhilarating for thrillseekers but sketchy for squeamish riders.
When To Go: Winter months make this road too icy for motorcycles, and up to 11,000 feet of elevation means you'll need to bundle up for all but the toastiest months.

Denali Highway (AK)
The Road: The Denali Highway, also known as Alaska Route 8, is actually east in Denali Park, following the Alaska Range as it runs toward the Yukon. The road comprises two lanes and 135 miles linking the Richardson and Parks Highways.
The Ride: Raw natural beauty that starts with 21 miles of partially paved road, followed by a ribbon of pothole-ridden washboard surfaces, scores of potential roadkill (and, when the season is right, hunters), and awe-inspiring views of glaciers and peaks.
When To Go: Aside from the obvious weather constraints of this stretch, which includes the second highest pass in Alaska (with a 4,086-foot summit), riders should check the web for road closures, which are frequent and unpredictable.

Washington Route 129/Oregon route 3 (WA/OR)
The Road: Rattlesnake Grade, which runs across the Washington and Oregon border and links Anatone to Clarkston.
The Ride: 42 miles of switchbacks along the Anatone Grade and stretches that traverse majestic mountain ranges.
When To Go: Aim to ride between June and September to avoid the rainy season.

CA Route 58, McKittrick to Santa Margarita (CA)
The Road: McKittrick to Santa Margarita is the best stretch of the 261 miles of two-lane highway that meanders from the Mojave Desert to the California coast.
The Ride: An eclectic mix of desert, mountain, and canyon riding that covers some of California's most diverse landscapes.
When To Go: Summer months can be hot and arid, so bring plenty of water when the weather heats up.

 

US Route 33, Harrisonburg to Seneca Rocks (VA/WV)
The Road: A snaking 65-mile run between Harrisonburg, Virginia, to Seneca Rocks, West Virginia.
The Ride: A series of mountain passes curl through the lush Shenandoah Valley.
When To Go: Fall riding means gorgeous colors, but watch out for wet leaves.

Highway 1, Big Sur (CA)
The Road: Nearly 100 miles of California's Highway 1, running along the Pacific Ocean from Carmel to San Simeon.
The Ride: This ride is full of dramatic cliffs, sprawling vistas, and some of the most heart-melting coastal perspectives this side of Amalfi.
When To Go: Though tempting during summer months, tourists can clog this two-lane highway with slow moving rental cars. Dress warmly year-round, as the marine layer brings cool air.

Natchez Trace Parkway (TN)
The Road: 444 miles of National Scenic Byway that run from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee.
The Ride: This rambling, rural road ventures through National Park Service land and couples smooth pavement with bucolic surroundings.
When To Go: Check the National Park Service for road conditions and closures.

Angeles Crest Highway (CA)
The Road: A two-lane highway that connects suburban La Cañada, Flintridge, to the California high desert.
The Ride: A roller-coaster-like ride nestled within the Angeles National Forest, characterized by an undulating sequence of high-speed sweepers and gradual elevation changes.
When To Go: Angeles Crest Highway includes a 7,903-foot summit, which can translate to surprising ice and snow at those higher elevations in winter months.

 

US Route 12 (ID, MT)
The Road: Also known as the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway (and previously known as the Lewis and Clark Highway), this federal highway runs from Washington to Montana at the Lolo Pass.
The Ride: Remote and epic, this sprawling route covers some of the most dramatic landscapes in North America.
When To Go: These northern climes can be uncomfortably cold in early spring and late fall; aim for summer for maximum riding enjoyment.

US Route 129, Deal's Gap ("Tail of the Dragon") (TN)
The Road: Route 129, also known as Deals Gap, is an 11-mile mountain pass that skims the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the North Carolina-Tennessee state line.
The Ride: This famous stretch of two-lane blacktop offers 318 tight twists in 11 miles, attracting legions of motorcycle and sports car fanatics from near and far.

Blue Ridge Parkway (VA)
The Road: 469 miles that traverse most of the Blue Ridge mountain range through North Carolina and Virginia, linking the Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Ride: Sinuous curves, many of them with tricky decreasing radius arcs, cut through otherwise untouched natural beauty.
When To Go: Cold weather closures can limit access, so check out the National Park Service for updates.
When To Go: Come any time but summer, when crowds of enthusiasts swarm the road.

 

The Three Sisters (AKA, The Twisted Sisters) Roads (TX)
The Road: Also known as "The Hundred Mile Loop," these roads (RR335, RR336, and RR337) interconnect within the heart of Texas Hill Country.
The Ride: Undulating and gently climbing asphalt climaxes with a 15-mile stretch that features 65 turns.
When To Go: Roads can flood almost any time of year and summer can be oppressively hot, so check the forecast before tackling the twisties.

Needles Highway, Black Hills (SD)
The Road: South Dakota Highway 87, which runs from U.S. Route 385 at the southern end to Hill City on the north.
The Ride: This spirited ride carves through Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park and links to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial.
When To Go: Early August, when all roads lead to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, one of the biggest bike gatherings on the planet.

Tunnel of Trees Road (MI)
The Road: Michigan M-119, aka the Tunnel of Trees Road, which starts north of Harbor Springs and nearly reaches Mackinac Island.
The Ride: As the name implies, this road veers through a heavily forested canopy along the Lake Michigan shoreline with sharp twists and turns along the way.
When To Go: Springtime is notable for the white trillium blooms along the roadside, while fall is fantastic for the picturesque turning leaves.

US 23 ("Country Music Highway") (TN)
The Road: Though U.S. Highway 23 runs from Jacksonville, Florida, to Mackinaw City, Michigan, the stretch between Greenup and Letcher Counties in Tennessee is known as the Country Music Highway.
The Ride: The windy, 144-mile expanse along the eastern side of Tennessee is a National Scenic Byway that darts through the Appalachian hills. Watch the mile markers that indicate the places where stars like Loretta Lynn, The Judds, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Dwight Yoakam were born.
When To Go: Country music fans should allow time for a visit to the U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Museum in Painstville, Tennessee.

 

Yes, September 1st. International Date Line.