What are the 15 Best USA Motorcycle Roads? The Definitive List
More than 230,000 members of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) cast their votes to define the definitive bucket list for riders in the United States. This selection represents over 100 nominated routes, narrowing them down to the 15 roads that offer the most technical challenges, dramatic scenery, and pure riding bliss.
| Quick Navigation: The Top 15 | |
|---|---|
| #15 - #11 | The Hidden Gems (Ohio, Washington, Oregon) |
| #10 - #06 | Mountain Passes & National Parks |
| #05 - #01 | The Legends (PCH, The Dragon, Beartooth) |
15. Washington Route 129 and Oregon Route 3
Location: Clarkston (WA) to Enterprise (OR).
The Hook: Famous for the "Rattlesnake Grade," featuring tight switchbacks that drop into the canyon floor.
14. Ohio Route 170
Location: Calcutta to Poland, Ohio.
The Hook: A surprising rhythmic flow through the rolling hills of the Midwest. [Full Road Details]
13. California Route 58
Location: McKittrick to Santa Margarita.
Technical Spec: Crossing the California Coast Ranges and the Mojave Desert. [Full Road Details]
12. U.S. Route 33
Location: Harrisonburg (VA) to Seneca Rocks (WV).
The Hook: High-speed sweepers and steep mountain climbs through the heart of West Virginia.
11. Natchez Trace Parkway
Location: Natchez (MS) to Nashville (TN).
Technical Spec: 444 miles of continuous, commercial-free scenic flow. [Full Road Details]
10. Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2)
Location: San Gabriel Mountains, California.
The Hook: 66 miles of high-altitude twisties reaching 7,000ft elevation. [Full Road Details]
9. Lolo Pass (U.S. 12)
Location: Idaho and Montana boundary.
The Hook: A mountain pass at 5,233 feet (1,595 m) in the northern Rocky Mountains. [Full Road Details]
8. California Route 36
Location: Humboldt County to Lassen County.
The Hook: Known for its "rollercoaster" feel and hundreds of curves through redwoods and foothills. [Full Road Details]
7. Cherohala Skyway
Location: North Carolina and Tennessee.
The Hook: 43 miles of sweeping curves reaching mile-high elevations. [Full Road Details]
6. Going-to-the-Sun Road
Location: Glacier National Park, Montana.
The Hook: An engineering marvel with sheer cliff drops and narrow passages. [Full Road Details]
5. Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1)
Location: Central California Coast.
The Hook: The iconic coastal cliff ride between San Simeon and Carmel. [Full Road Details]
4. Million Dollar Highway (U.S. 550)
Location: Silverton to Ouray, Colorado.
The Hook: No guardrails, vertical drops, and three mountain passes over 10,000ft. [Full Road Details]
3. Tail of the Dragon (U.S. 129)
Location: NC/TN Border.
Technical Spec: 318 curves in 11 miles. Unrivaled technical demand. [Full Road Details]
2. Blue Ridge Parkway
Location: North Carolina and Virginia.
The Hook: 469 miles of slow-paced mountain crest riding. [Full Road Details]
1. Beartooth Highway (U.S. 212)
Location: Montana and Wyoming.
The Hook: The ultimate alpine pass reaching 10,947ft. Incredible switchbacks. [Full Road Details]