Best Motorcycle Routes Near Philadelphia, PA – 5 Scenic Rides

Aug 13, 2025

Philadelphia has more public art than any other city in the country, but its creative energy isn’t limited to what you’ll find downtown. Ride just a few miles out and you’ll hit wooded backroads, riverside stretches, and small towns with more history than most states. It’s one of the few metro areas where you can go from city traffic to quiet, tree-lined roads in under half an hour. In this blog, we’re highlighting five of the best motorcycle rides in Pennsylvania that are easily accessible from Philly, whether you're here for the weekend or live just outside the city.

Best Scenic Motorcycle Rides in Pennsylvania

1. PA Route 340 – Amish Country
2. Route 611 North – Delaware Water Gap
3. PA-563 and PA-313 – Nockamixon State Park Loop
4. Forbidden Drive – Wissahickon Valley and Perkiomen Loop
5. PA-100 North – West Chester to Bally

PA Route 340 – Amish Country

Start/End: King of Prussia, PA

After you clear the highway stretch from King of Prussia, Route 340 settles into a rural rhythm that doesn’t really change until you’re back near the city. It runs through the middle of Lancaster County and stays pretty flat the entire way, with open visibility and long stretches where you won’t be touching the brakes. Most of the route is two-lane and in good shape, but there are occasional dips and uneven shoulders near farm driveways that are easy to miss if you're not paying attention. Expect slower traffic as you ride through Bird in Hand and Intercourse, especially in the morning when the local markets are busiest. The route comes in just over 110 miles round-trip, and it's best ridden on a clear weekday in early fall or late spring.

• Where to stop: Bird in Hand Bakery has a wide lot and clean restrooms, Intercourse Canning Co. is a quick pull-in with room for bikes, and Dienner’s is a reliable lunch stop with plenty of space to park
• Parking: Paved or packed gravel lots at all three stops, no issues with space
• Bike to rent: We recommend the Harley-Davidson Road King for this route. Most of your time on 340 is spent at a consistent speed, and the Road King handles that kind of riding well without getting boring. You’ll have a few slower sections around Lancaster and Intercourse, but the low-end power makes it easy to stay smooth without riding the clutch. The floorboards give your legs a break, especially when you're out there for a few hours without a lot of shifting or sharp turns.

Route 611 North – Delaware Water Gap

Start/End: Doylestown, PA → Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Just 40 miles outside of Philly, this ride heads north from Doylestown and follows Route 611 all the way up to the Delaware Water Gap, ending near the entrance to the national recreation area. It’s about 55 miles one way, and the entire stretch sticks close to the Delaware River. The road curves just enough to keep things interesting, but nothing here is technical. Once you’re past Easton, the traffic thins out and the scenery starts to open up. It’s a good ride if you want to stay on the move without dealing with stoplights every few miles. Late spring and early fall are best, especially in the morning when the road’s quieter and the air’s clear.

• Where to stop: The Riverview Country Store has a small lot and makes a decent first stop for a drink or snack before you reach the Gap. Once you get there, Kittatinny Point has a larger parking area if you want to stretch your legs or check out the overlook.
• Parking: Small lots along the route, bigger paved lots inside the recreation area
• Bike to rent: We’d go with the BMW R 1250 RT for this one. The ride is smooth but long enough that comfort matters, and the adjustable windshield is useful once you get into open stretches near the water. The handling feels planted through the bends without needing a lot of input, which fits this route well since you’re not riding aggressively, you’re just letting the road take you up the river.

Trade the Planning for the Ride

These routes are solid, but putting together the stops, timing, and turns takes work. If you'd rather just show up and follow someone who already knows where to go, check out motorcycle experiences in Philadelphia. Local riders lead trips through the same backroads and river stretches covered here, minus the homework.

PA-563 and PA-313 – Nockamixon State Park Loop

Start/End: Quakertown, PA

If you’re starting out near Quakertown, this loop gives you a pretty direct route around Lake Nockamixon without feeling repetitive. You’ll head out on PA-313, cut up through PA-563 past the lake, and work your way back through Tinicum and Buckingham before closing the loop. The whole ride comes in around 57 miles. A lot of it moves through wooded two-lane stretches with occasional hills and sharper turns near the park, but it never feels too technical. Some parts get tight and shaded, especially on the back side of the lake, so visibility changes quickly depending on the time of day. It’s a better ride in the late morning when things have dried out a bit and there’s less moisture on the road.

• Where to stop: Nockamixon has multiple pull-offs if you want to get off the bike and check out the lake. Van Sant Airport is a popular stop, especially on weekends when the vintage planes are flying. Buckingham Valley Vineyards is at the tail end of the loop and has a gravel lot if you're stopping for a quick walk around or just looking to break up the ride.
• Parking: Marked lots at Nockamixon and Van Sant, open gravel at the vineyard
• Bike to rent: We recommend the Indian Scout Rogue. The roads on this loop stay tight in some areas, and the Scout’s lighter frame makes it easier to work through those without feeling stiff. It holds up well on the longer straightaways too, but where it really helps is in the quick transitions and sharper curves around the state park. If you're not looking to wrestle a heavier touring bike, this one makes the ride feel smoother from start to finish.

Forbidden Drive – Wissahickon Valley and Perkiomen Loop

Start/End: Philadelphia MOA

The Forbidden Drive loop starts at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and takes you out of the city through Wissahickon Valley before linking up with backroads near Skippack and Collegeville. It covers just over 60 miles and blends city access with parkland, neighborhood stretches, and low-traffic rural roads once you’re further out. The ride through Forbidden Drive is the highlight early on. It’s a slower pace surrounded by woods, with tight corners and changes in road surface that keep you on your toes. Once you head west toward Skippack, the road opens up a bit with longer stretches that let you relax a little more before looping back in toward King of Prussia. It’s best to ride this in the morning on a weekday when traffic through Chestnut Hill and Valley Green is lighter and the park isn’t crowded.

• Where to stop: Valley Green Inn has a quiet lot and access to walking trails along the creek if you’re looking for a short break. Skippack Village is a good halfway stop with a few places to eat and public parking. Toward the back half of the loop, Evansburg State Park is a quiet place to get off the bike before heading back toward the city.
• Parking: Valley Green and Evansburg both have marked lots with easy entry. Skippack has street and lot parking depending on where you pull in.
• Bike to rent: We recommend the BMW F 900 XR. This route mixes slower park riding with stretches where you’ll want more responsiveness, especially moving through smaller towns and tighter turns near Forbidden Drive. The F 900 XR gives you upright control for lower-speed sections and enough power to handle the highway cutbacks without feeling overbuilt for the city. It’s nimble without sacrificing comfort, which makes it a good match for the variety this loop throws at you.

PA-100 North – West Chester to Bally

Start/End: West Chester, PA → Bally, PA

Once you leave West Chester, PA-100 takes you through a stretch of Southeastern Pennsylvania that feels more rural with every mile. The traffic fades after Exton, and what starts as a busy commercial road gradually shifts into open farmland and quiet pockets of residential space. You’ll pass by tree lines, garden centers, and a few wide intersections, but the road itself stays steady. It’s not a technical ride, but you’ll be adjusting your pace often—moving freely through open areas, then easing up again near places like Pughtown and Gilbertsville where lights and side traffic pop back in. The full ride is just over 35 miles, and it works best late morning or early evening when the road isn’t backed up near the shopping corridors.

Where to stop: Wawa in Bucktown is a common pull-off for fuel or coffee before the last stretch into Bally. Once you hit town, there’s parking near Bally Park if you want to stretch your legs or just turn around and loop back.

Parking: Both Bucktown and Bally have paved lots with easy access. No gravel or tight turns to worry about.

Bike to rent: The Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST fits this ride well. The road doesn’t demand aggressive handling, but the changes in pace mean you’ll want something that feels balanced when you’re slowing into towns or cruising past farmland. The Low Rider ST keeps it comfortable without weighing you down when traffic tightens up.

Motorcycle Rentals in Philadelphia

Riders Share gives you access to the largest selection of motorcycles in the area, with options ranging from cruisers and sport bikes to 3-wheelers and touring models. You can browse listings from popular brands like Harley-Davidson, Indian, BMW, and more, all available from riders nearby. If you're planning on taking one of these Philadelphia motorcycle day trips or just want to switch things up for the weekend, booking a motorcycle rental in Philly through Riders Share makes it easy to ride the way you want, when you want.

Find More Motorcycle Roads in Pennsylvania Worth Riding

There’s no shortage of roads around Philly, but these are just a small sample of what the state has to offer. From mountain passes to river valleys, you'll find motorcycle touring routes in PA that are worth riding any time of year. If you're thinking about exploring more of the state, you can find additional recommendations in our guide to some of the top rides across Pennsylvania.