Hey folks! This video is for entertainment purposes only. This list is subjective,but are ideas on road trips for 2023. However, If you have ridden these routes and have helpful details that were not included in the video, please comment below. For example, some riders have already mentioned important details on Going-to-the-Sun road. It’s looking like this channel can be a great forum to offer tips on how to plan riding these great motorcycle roads. Thanks for watching!
Started riding at age 58. Now 71. Five done, five to go. I was going to rank the five I've experienced but after thinking about it there is no point to it. Fabulous. Fabulous. Fabulous.
A suggestion for the Going to the Sun Road: Get up early and ride it before 9:00 am. The tourists like to sleep in. Another general suggestion for all the Rocky Mountain roads listed in this video: Ride the high altitudes before lunch. After about 2:00 pm, clouds form and produce thunderstorms. This is due to evaporation as the day warms. Mountains make their own weather so stay alert.
Been to the top of Mt Evans 2 times & Pikes Peak 3 times & I say AMEN to going in the mornings because of the storms & may I also suggest dressing for the temps at the top which could very well be in the 30's - I'm an old man (75) & live in Florida & have ridden 8 of these roads (missing Hwy 1 & the sisters) & agree with the choices - saying that I could also say the the top 10 list could easily be expanded to the top 15 - there are just so many - you may want to try the "Back of the Dragon" in southwest Virginia which is 32 miles & 439 curves - beautiful scenery.
Going to the sun highway has been and will be the best trip I have ever done. That being said, the National Park Service has destroyed that in my opinion by creating a permit system that allows only a few personal vehicles including motorcycles on the road per day. Can only be accomplished by accessing their website 1 day prior to visiting, and after trying for 28 consecutive days in June/July I have given up.
@@michaeldirkes3446 I heard about this thru the grapevine (so to speak) & fine it to be total BS that the National Park Service would start such a program - I can't help but think about the old saying - "If its not broken don't fix it" - sounds like its typical of our government in everything they do which is to say - all the government seems to do is create problems but never any solutions - I can see as being extremely frustrating 7 IMO there is no need for it.
At least year in 2022, we rode in early Sept THE DAY AFTER they stopped the ridiculous permits for access! Much less traffic & I rode over Going to the Sun in just a long sleeve shirt so still nice weather. I was born in Alberta Canada but now live in a W. State so probably been over that road 30-40x's. It is still an amazing trip every time!
when you do beartooth you need to add 296 Chief Joseph highway well worth the ride the combo is one of the best. I have done 9 out of 10 of these #2 is the only i have missed
If you ride Peak to Peak highway in Colorado at Estes park spend the night.Plenty of motels,resturants and bars.Get on state route 34 heading west will take you over Trail Ridge road in Rocky Mountain National Park.Magnificent scenery and a killer moto roadHead east on state route 34 and you will go down the Big Thompson river canyon.Another killer moto road.Stunning.Good chance you will see elk,a possible moose or two,Rocky mountain bighorn sheep and montain goats.Enjoy the ride my friends.
I have ridden all but three of these. My favorite is Bearthooth!! I would also add Salt River Canyon Scenic, Az. Cheif Joseph Hwy, which can be ridden along with Beartooth. Richard Russell Scenic Hwy, Ga. Natchez Trace, Ms, Tn. Just some of my favorites. Some I like to keep secret. Many more out there!!!!!!
I discovered Tennessee 13 this last July. Just a good Americana experience. I'll certainly ride it again. I connected it to The Trace in Land Between the Lakes and if you have skills and balls of steel, then ride on into Illinois over the Brookport Bridge!!! 😱
So I've ridden, #1, #2, #3 (by car), #4, #5, #7, #8, #9, and #10. I would add highway 242 from Belknap Springs, Oregon to Sisters. It starts out in a labyrinth of switch backs up through local temperate rainforest and empties out onto a volcanic wasteland. Once you've recovered from the transition and viewed the area from the volcano rock viewing tower you drop down through a region of beautiful Ponderosa pine and into the inviting little town of Sisters. I'd also like to offer up, Hwy 20 between Winthrop, WA and Rockport, Wa. of which the best is the the section going through the Northern Cascade Mountains by Diablo Lake.
Iv"e been riding for 62 years and have been have had the good fortune to ride 9 out of your best roads. Bear tooth, Million dollar, Road to the sun , Hwy1 all epic. I live in central Cal. and I can tell you that we have many roads in our mountains that are equal 2 or better than most you mentioned. Some that have virtually no traffic and we can ride most of them year round. I have many countless roads 30 Minuets from my house. Probably the only reason to stay in this state.
Peak to peak is a beautiful ride, it ends at Estes Park, make a reservation for Rocky Mountain National Park, the entrance is just west of Estes. Finish the loop by going up Hwy 34 through Rabbit Ears pass to Grand Lake, in to Granby Winter Park, catch I-70 back up Golden and Denver.
This 74-year old rider has ridden all over Europe. All of Italy. The Europeans are always claiming their motorcycle roads are the best. They don't know what they are missing - riding these great rides you have presented on your excellent video. I have ridden most of the US states. And agree with your choices! (If only the speed limits were higher in the US. Beautifully engineered roads - with horse and cart speed limits!) Thanks for the video. Great job.
Thanks for the comment! I have also driven in Italy and France, from the French Riviera up to the Alps. They are incredible. But I agree there is so much to see in the states. Could spend a lifetime riding here and still not see every amazing road. Well done on 74 and still riding, I hope to be doing the same!
One thing about heading from Cherokee on the BRP is wait till after 10:00 a.m. as you’ll be riding with the sun in your eyes before then. Going around some of those turns will face you right into the Sun. Can be un-nerving. It’s a great road with lots of views.
I have been on most of these roads and I have the good fortune of living right next to #10, Hwy 1 in California. I take this trip about once a month and it never gets old. I do have some tips about this road. Try to avoid going in the summer. The fog rolls in every summer (due to the hot Central Valley summers) and severely restricts your ability to see the great views. Also, the road is crowded during the summer time since that is when most people travel. If you can get some time off in the winter, that is the time to go. Bring your winter gear, the temps will be as low as the 40s. However, if you get a sunny day and wait until mid-morning, you should be able to get temps in the 60s. All of the footage I have collected for my channel has been during the winter. Finally, while it was mentioned that Big Sur is the highlight, I would say it is the only part that is worth doing. The road is truly epic from Carmel to Cambria (around 100 miles). There are other nice patches, but this is the truly epic stretch.
@@IRLtrolls Still a small section that is closed. According to the most recent update, they are hoping to have it opened in "a couple of months". Most of it is open, but it it not connected in the middle.
#1 San Mountain Skyway - Colorado #2 Twisted Sisters - Texas #3 Going To The Sun Road- Montana #4 Needles - South Dakota #5 Blue Ridge Pkwy - Virginia and N.C. #6 Peak to Peak Hwy - Colorado #7 Coronado Trail Byway - Arizona #8 Beartooth Hwy - Montana and Wyoming #9 Cherohala Skyway - N.C. and TN #10 California Hwy 1 - California
I've been on at least 2 of those rides, Blue Ridge Parkway, Million Dollar Highway, and maybe the Cherhola skyway. As for Skyline Drive I would skip that one unless you enjoy just focusing on the road. It is a very, very twisty road that doesn't let you enjoy the scenery, but it that's what you're into go for it. I agree that the Tail of the Dragon is a famous road but frankly I've been on much more challenging roads from a technical point of view. That said, try and spend a night a the motel at Deals Gap. The rooms are very reasonable if not well appointed but the camaraderie is great especially around the bonfire at night and coffee in the morning. Keep the good stuff coming.
had an epic ride on the Million Dollar Hwy in 2011. On Aug. 12th we got caught in an unexpected snowstorm. Weather report was light rain... Ooops. Went back in 2018 in late July and had a wonderful ride. I've ridden half of these now have a new list to conquer, thanks for sharing.
National Park TIMED ENTRY fix: They seem to stop manning the gates at 5pm, so enter then. Did this in Whitefish (Going to the Sun) two years ago. Darkness around 9:30. RVs are home in bed after 5 so much better. The trip guides are eating with you in the bars at 9:30 pm too.
You don't even mention Vermont?! Us Canadians take a nice leisurely and scenic ride down to Vermont through the Champlain by-way and Champlain islands, have lunch then spend a couple of days ripping through all the mountain twisties in and around Killington. One of our favourite annual trips.
@@robertdesantis6205 or the beginning depending on where you started from. I agree about taking I 81. Skyline drive is not anymore scenic than the blue ridge.
The North Cascades Highway. May want to check that one out. Remote, the road is in good condition. Opens in mid May, most of the time. 79 miles between services, lots of curves, camping, hiking, water falls, glaciers. During the week, this is a outstanding ride.
#10 in 74-78 I was stations at ft Orde ( not there anymore ) Monterey Army Infantry EIB 11B20 my wife lived in San Luis Obispo ( 150 m ? away ), I drove HWY 1 nearly every weekend and slept in turnouts along it on week days !! got a Honda 74 CB 750 K in 1984 when I lived and worked in the woods near Weaverville CA , I(500m) rode down every other month or so to see my kids and went to college in the winter at Questa college ( for a semester , like high school without parents ) ! It is beautiful ! HWY 1 was in the TV and movie ,Then Came Bronson !
If you can, do PCH 1 from Monterrey to Morro Bay. Further south - head to Buellton and across Solvang. From there, take the 246 to Santa Ynez. Take the 154 through the mountains and land in Santa Barbara. The mountains/hills of the 154 are a nice alternative to the 101 from Santa Maria. Good riding all!
Living in Texas, the Twisted sisters is a great ride. No cars, no cops! It's so rural you can ride for an hour and only see a few cars. Charohala and tail of the dragon was an awesome ride this past October. Gorgeous.
@@ganuvien I ride CBR 900RR and pretty aggressive. Our group has never been pulled over there. Just lucky I guess? Bent rim for lunch is a good burger!
Done a couple. 3 sisters in Texas, Colorado Million dollar highway, Devils Highway in E Az, Blueridge Pkwy and CA1. On CA1, I went off-road to the top of Big Sur - Coast Ridge Road. That was epic and very dangerous.
@2brosride we’ve ridden all those, multiple times in most cases, except the Peak to Peak. One of the best roads we’ve ridden is the 149 from South Fork, CO all the way north to hwy 50. It’s about 120 miles of incredible hwy/views with little to no traffic. It’s a hidden gem.
@@pif0514 And if you are a car buff as well as a biker and have a couple of hours to spare be sure to catch the Car Museum in Gateway, CO. A fantastic collection of cars in a well laid out arrangement.
I have ridden everyone of these roads on my motorcycles and most multiple times. They are all great! Beartooth Pass is amazing as is Going to the Sun Rd in Glacier National park. Both of these areas are amazing and the ride is stunning in every way! Both roads in CO are stunning also ! Hwy 1 by Big Sur in CA is stunning also. Get out and truly connect with nature this year!!!
We live in SE Ohio and have rode the Blue Ridge Parkway/ Skyline drive many times. We camped out along the way and had a ball. We also met some really nice people on our trips, motorcyclist and campers. There is no better way to enjoy a vacation. Southern W Va is also pretty and we love Tucker County WV. I guess we are just very Blessed to live so live to so many beautiful motorcycyle roads. Kentucky has the AA highway, another favorite. Just too many to name.
I’ve ridden all 10! The one thing I’d add, is while you’re on Highway 1 keep going north all the way to Vancouver Island. North of San Francisco to the Avenue of the Giants (Redwoods) and Oregon coast are something to see!
If you’re in SD to ride the Needles Highway - which I highly recommend - check out 16A, the Iron Mountain Road. It’s on,y 17 miles but it was made for riders.
My wife and I are from Australia and have ridden 8 out of the 10 on this lists, #2 and #6 which we will get to on our next trip. We ride 2up on our 2002 FJR and love riding, we have traveled 37000 mile in 3 trips to the US and Canada.
Lolo Pass Montana. Road sign at beginning " Curves Next 99 Miles". There is some (slightly less) beautiful rides from either end as well as that part of Montana is generally gorgeous. Every inch of Lolo is spectacular as you wind along a river with Mountains on both sides. Tip: Ride it the middle of the week in early September after Labor Day Weekend. Road is mostly empty/all yours & as such increased speed is definitely an option to ENJOY THOSE CURVES!
The PCH its on my to do list. . The Road to the sun and Beartooth pass were closed but Yellowstone was still worth the trip. I would add any of these. Alaska HWY, Top of the World. Fairbanks to Anchorage, Anchorage to White horse to Skagway.
Note to Going to the Sun Road. The road usually does not open until July as highway crews are still removing snow, ice and rocks left from winter. One serious but extremely beautiful road. Not a twist the throttle road as vacationers move slow due to the scenery and the way roads are cut into the side of the mountains.
Yes, try riding middle of September when they lift the pass requirements for access. Weather was still nice & traffic was much decreased compared to summer. Keep in mind the summer open date is subject to change. Last year snow clearing was delayed longer than normal. They get the deepest snow drifts in the USA on that road at up to 50ish feet. Beartooth pass is a close second I am told at 40+ feet of snow. We tried riding Beartooth last year but just as we arrived at Yellowstone the massive rain/snow melt combined for HISTORICAL FLOODING & road were closed & were washed out so they closed the Park for the first time ever.
I'm from Pennsylvania. If you ever ride here may I recommend Route 87 from Montoursville to Dushore PA. Great road with awesome scenery. It only takes about 1 hour to do. 43 miles of awesome road!!
I have ridden the first nine roads numerous times, and they are truly the best of the best in the United States. I have the Pacific Coast Highway on my bucket list for 2023 so many roads in so little time!
If you're planning on riding the west coast. I'd recommend highway 101 in Washington/Oregon over HWY 1 in CA. I'd say HWY 1 is the worst out of the 10 on this list. I've also heard HWY 36 in CA is very good.
Coronado Trail was epic and completely worth the long July 2022 trip to ride. Two things not mentioned regarding the "not for beginners" part are: This is mostly an open range road so cattle or cattle droppings can be around every blind corner. AZDOT has a long section of the highway, with many of the best combinations of curves, as a "surface testing area". This means the road surface changed about every mile for 23 miles...and many of those surfaces were not holding up well depositing gravel in the middle of curves. Lastly for any rider...when it says no service 62 miles passing the mines in Mercino...they mean it. That includes no cell service (except once or twice at the peaks), fuel, food, potable water, etc until you hit Alpine. There was one Rancher advertising emergency fuel about the 42 mile mark and I suspect some people needed it.
I have ridden 1-9 already. Still need to get to Route 1 in California. A road you should add to your collection is Route 21 between Idaho City and Stanley Idaho. This was the most fun twisties I rode in the Western US.
Hwy 7 North of Hot Springs up into Missouri as are many of the roads in that region! Also the roads from Raton NM through Eagles Nest, Red River, Taos, Angel Fire then back out and up into Colorado are worthy mentions that I have traveled.
Missing is the Mt. Washington Auto Road in the White Mts of New Hampshine,Which is the home of the Oldest Motorcycle Rally in the Country the Laconia Classic. Plenty of above treelined vistas and the views are fantastic.
I ride already the million dollar Highway, PCH or Hwy 1 and once a year my friends and I we ride the Coronado trial aka Devils Highway ., So 7 more awesome rides to go 😃
Another fine, scenic, and informative video. I want to add a little side trip and photo op off the Cherohala in TN. The turn off to Bald River Falls is a nice Kodak Moment and they're is a swimming hole too. COLD even on a hot summer day! The road is paved and has a sign for the turn off. Thanks for the ride along and Happy Trails!
Great selection. Live in south TX and 3 twisted sisters and the surrounding towns are better enjoyed after summer of early March, away from vacation times. Bandera TX nearby has a yearly rally that can be used too as an anchor for the route. I also wanted to mention a short ride in Arizona from Flagstaff to Sedona (hwy 89a) and Sedona to hwy 17 (road 179). You get a lot of the Grand canyon views without the crowds. We rode it on our way back from CA and Nevada and it was like entering ‘land of the lost’. Highly recommended
Rode the Twisted Sisters for the 3rd time on Dec. 20th 2022 and can confirm that the construction is just about done and all roads are open. Leakey has a gas station if you get there and are low. That's about the closest. Otherwise, the closest gas is gonna be Fredericksburg, Kerrville or Bandera. I always stay in Kerrville. Safe riding brothers (and sisters.)
Good list! Did Beartooth in a car some time ago (wife doesn't ride), July as I recall, still snow on the ground and at one point I stopped in one of the hollows the road dips into, on the outside there was a wall of snow as high as the car. Cherohala is one of the best single rides I've ever had; entered from the TN side, two cars in front of me both turned off toward Bald River Falls, and from there on I had the road to myself for 50 miles. BRP is one I've done big chunks of, but not the whole thing; there are some epic side roads off of it as well. NC80 I took for the first time when I realized I would be getting home around 2 or 3 am if I stayed on the Parkway; I had no clue what I was in for as I started down. I later learned that piece of it has been named "The Devil's Whip", top section is very tight and twisty, drops a couple of thousand feet in a few miles. Just about every YT video of it I've seen is the ride UP. it. At Little Switzerland is the loop of NC226/226A called "Diamondback", lots of fun. Many great roads around there..
Thanks for the comment! Cherohala is tremendous especially if you’re riding an open road in front of you. We’re doing a video on NC coming up soon, and NC80 is on it!
What? The New Jersey Turnpike through the Newark metro area not included? All 16 glorious lanes of it! Seriously though, as a rider I feel blessed to have literally thousands of "Top Ten" roads in the beautiful USA! Thank you for another fun presentation.
Going down to Big Sur is cut off as part of the highway slipped into the ocean. So you will have to detour around that beautiful section. So you may want to note that. The northern coast is pretty awesome as well though.
Amazing video! Thank you for making it! I am planning to get a motorcycle and drive to all those places from Toronto Canada. Will need to learn more about accommodations and camping places so I can really rest and be strong to be able to enjoy the beauty of those places. I mean, being 51 brings some challenges. Haha! Cheers!
Have ridden the Dragon...Cherahola.. and Beartooth several times..... wonderful trips....also only part of the Blue Ridge..but it is on the list to do the whole ride..... I'll have to do the others....and Hwy12 through Lolo pass down to Meridian Idaho is not to be forgotten either
