Where Should You Tour Next? 5 Motorcycle Tours to Plan Now

Sep 4, 2025

So, you’ve got a bike, time to spare, and the itch to explore somewhere new. The only question is, where do you head next? The good news is that there are plenty of motorcycle travel ideas out there. The bad news? Not every ride will feel like it's worth the effort. In this blog, we’ll walk you through five of the best motorcycle tours in the USA that are actually worth planning.

5 Bucket List Motorcycle Rides

1. Nashville to New Orleans
2. Black Hills & Badlands
3. New England Fall Tour
4. Southwest Red Rock Loop
5. Pacific Northwest Tour

If you’re already thinking about new motorcycle road trips to take, Riders Share offers guided tours that make it easier to get out there. Hosted by experienced locals, these tours take the guesswork out of planning so you can just show up and ride. Browse available motorcycle tours in the USA to see what else is out there for you. 

Nashville to New Orleans: Live Music, BBQ, and Southern Backroads

Going from Nashville to New Orleans is a slow trip through the heart of the South, with good barbecue, small-town diners, and blues clubs tucked into places you might not have thought to visit. Starting in Nashville and ending in New Orleans, you’ll cover about 530 miles, but how long it takes is really up to you.

A lot of riders follow the Natchez Trace Parkway out of Nashville. It’s a quiet stretch with no billboards, no trucks, and no stress. From there, the route heads into Mississippi and connects with US-61, also known as the Blues Highway. That stretch takes you through places like Clarksdale and Natchez, then leads into Louisiana where the scenery starts to shift. The air gets warmer, the food gets spicier, and New Orleans starts to feel close.

• Highlights Along the Way: Nashville, TN, Franklin, TN, Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS, Clarksdale, MS, Baton Rouge, LA, and New Orleans, LA
• Best Season to Ride: Spring and fall are your best options. April and May are warm but not too hot, and the roads are usually in good shape. September and October offer cooler mornings and fewer crowds once summer fades out. If you ride in July or August, expect heat, humidity, and pop-up thunderstorms. Winter can be mild once you’re in Louisiana, but the northern part of the route can still be chilly, especially in the morning.
• What to Expect on the Road: The Natchez Trace is smooth and quiet, with easy turns and no commercial traffic. Once you get into Mississippi and Louisiana, you’ll hit a mix of highways and rural roads. Traffic tends to stay light between cities, but it picks up around Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Most of the ride is beginner-friendly, but it helps to be comfortable with longer days and the occasional detour.

You can rent a motorcycle in Nashville, TN through Riders Share and head south at your own pace.

Black Hills & Badlands: A Loop Through South Dakota’s Wild Side

This loop through western South Dakota ties together about 250 to 300 miles of some of the most varied terrain in the region. Most riders start the trip in Rapid City and stretch it over a couple of days, taking their time through Custer State Park, Needles Highway, Mount Rushmore, and Badlands National Park. You’ll cover a lot of ground, but the pacing feels easy, and the ride naturally encourages you to stop often, follow detours, and see what’s waiting around the next curve.

The route brings a blend of long, quiet stretches and tighter, scenic roads that wind through granite spires and pine-covered hills. One moment you’re surrounded by sharp rock formations, and the next you’re riding through open fields or easing into the colorful edge of the Badlands. Wildlife is everywhere, and you’ll likely find yourself stopping for bison, deer, or even a few overly friendly burros along the way.

• Highlights Along the Way: Iron Mountain Road (US-16A), Custer State Park, Needles Highway (SD-87), Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands National Park, and Wall, SD. 
• Best Season to Ride: June through September brings some of the best conditions for this route. July and August are busy around Sturgis, but the energy during rally season can be part of the fun if you don’t mind the extra traffic. September is a bit calmer and still offers great weather, especially as the early fall colors start to show. By mid-October, temperatures begin to dip and early snow can make certain stretches less predictable.
• What to Expect on the Road: This route offers a combination of wide, easygoing highways and narrower scenic roads that ask for a bit more focus. Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road are slower-paced, with tight curves, blind turns, and occasional tunnel traffic, but they’re also where you’ll find some of the most unique views in the region. Outside of those, the ride flows smoothly and keeps a steady pace. Gas stations thin out once you leave Rapid City, and phone signals cut in and out through the parks, so it helps to plan ahead and stay fueled up.

Rent a motorcycle in Rapid City on Riders Share and ride straight into one of the most scenic loops in the Midwest.

New England Fall Tour: Covered Bridges and Small-Town Charm

If you’ve ever wanted to ride through a postcard, New England in the fall is about as close as it gets. This tour links together some of the best back roads across Vermont, New Hampshire, and western Massachusetts, where the trees light up in reds, oranges, and golds, and the air starts to feel crisp even in the early afternoon. Most riders start in western Massachusetts or southern Vermont and plan a route that runs anywhere from 200 to 350 miles depending on how many states you want to cover. The real value of this ride isn’t how far you go, but how much you take in while you’re out there.

You’ll ride through covered bridges and along tree-lined highways that climb into the hills, then drop into small towns with general stores, country diners, and more farm stands than you’ll know what to do with. The roads are clean, well-kept, and just curvy enough to keep you engaged without making it feel like work. This tour works best as a two- or three-day ride, especially if you want time to explore towns, stop for cider, or just pull over and take in the views without feeling rushed.

• Highlights Along the Way: Kancamagus Highway (NH-112), Route 100, Mohawk Trail (MA Route 2), Stowe, VT, Woodstock, VT, Newfane, VT, and Mount Greylock, MA
• Best Season to Ride: Late September through mid-October is the window you want to hit. Peak foliage timing shifts slightly year to year, but the first two weeks of October are usually the safest bet. Try to avoid weekends if you want quieter roads, since this is prime time for leaf peeping and traffic can get heavy in certain areas. Morning rides tend to be calmer, and early evening can bring out even deeper color as the light changes.
• What to Expect on the Road: The roads throughout this region are generally smooth and well-maintained, with just the right mix of turns and elevation changes to keep the ride interesting. Traffic is light during weekdays but can build up near major trailheads and scenic pull-offs, especially in places like the Kancamagus or Stowe. Most of the towns you’ll pass through are spaced about 20 to 40 miles apart, and there are plenty of places to stop for food, gas, or just a break. Weather can shift quickly, so it’s smart to dress in layers and keep rain gear on hand just in case.

Rent a motorcycle in Boston, MA on Riders Share and head north into New England at its best, where quiet roads and peak foliage turn every mile into something worth remembering.

Southwest Red Rock Loop: Santa Fe to Sedona

With sandstone cliffs that seem to change color by the hour and roads that stretch toward the horizon without interruption, the Southwest Red Rock Loop delivers a kind of open-space riding that you won’t find in the mountains or along the coast. The loop runs roughly 450 miles through parts of northern Arizona and southern Utah, connecting Sedona, Monument Valley, and Page with a mix of high-desert passes, quiet towns, and long stretches of road where you might not see another rider for miles.

It’s a route where the scenery carries as much weight as the ride itself. You’ll pass towering red rock formations, wide canyons, and sections of flat desert broken up by narrow bands of green that trace the rivers below. Elevation shifts add to the rhythm, taking you from hot canyon floors up into cool plateaus where the air thins out and the sky opens even wider.

• Highlights Along the Way: Sedona, AZ, Monument Valley, Lake Powell and Glen Canyon, US-163 through Mexican Hat, UT, Bryce Canyon (optional detour), and Flagstaff, AZ. 
• Best Season to Ride: Early spring and late fall are the most comfortable times to ride through the region. In March and April, desert temperatures are still manageable, and high elevations like Flagstaff haven’t yet started to warm up. Late September through October brings cooler air, fewer visitors, and golden light across the cliffs and canyons. Summer is harsh in the lower areas and makes afternoon riding difficult, while winter conditions can limit access to the higher roads if snow rolls in early.
• What to Expect on the Road: You’ll cover a lot of distance between towns, so it’s important to start each day with a full tank and a sense of how far the next stop is. The roads are paved and generally well-kept, with few sharp turns and wide shoulders through most of the loop. Changes in elevation are noticeable, and so is the wind, especially in the afternoon. The air is dry, shade is rare, and the sun can feel intense even when the temperature reads mild, so bring extra water and ride gear that breathes well during the day but keeps you warm when the sun dips.

Rent a motorcycle in Arizona on Riders Share and explore a route where sandstone cliffs, high-desert air, and endless skies turn the ride itself into the destination.

Pacific Northwest Tour: Portland to Glacier National Park

Once you get past the city traffic and into the trees, the whole pace of the trip starts to shift. Tall evergreens line both sides of the road, the air cools off, and each curve starts to feel a little quieter than the last. This route runs about 400 to 500 miles depending on how far north or west you go, with most riders starting near Portland or Seattle and taking two to three days to make the full loop. You’ll pass through national parks, coastal towns, and high overlooks that look out across the Pacific, with long stretches in between where the only sound is the wind through the trees.

Cloud cover and light rain are common through parts of the year, but the payoff comes when the weather clears and the entire region opens up. From the cliffs and sea stacks along Oregon’s shoreline to the glacier-lined peaks inside Olympic National Park, the scenery stays dynamic and layered throughout the loop. The towns are small, the roads are in good shape, and there’s no shortage of places to pull over, take a break, and just listen to the quiet for a minute.

• Highlights Along the Way: Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast, Olympic Peninsula and Hurricane Ridge Road, Port Angeles and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Astoria, OR, and the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Byway
• Best Season to Ride: Late June through early September gives you the best odds for clear skies and dry pavement, though it’s smart to be ready for light rain at any point. Earlier in the season, fog and low clouds tend to linger in the mornings, especially near the coast. October is still rideable in some areas but brings colder mornings and a higher chance of wet roads in the parks. Temperatures vary a lot with elevation, so layers are essential, and it’s worth packing rain gear even on days that start out sunny.
• What to Expect on the Road: Most of the loop is paved, well-marked, and easy to follow, with only a few tight curves and elevation shifts that require extra attention. Highway 101 can get busy in some of the larger towns, but the traffic usually spreads out quickly once you’re back along the coast or into the forests. Gas stations are spaced out but consistent enough to keep the loop moving smoothly, and many of the best pull-offs aren’t marked, so it pays to keep your eyes open for spots where the trees break or the water comes into view.

Rent a motorcycle in Portland, OR on Riders Share and follow the coast, climb through the forest, and ride one of the most naturally layered landscapes in the country.

Should You Book a Guided Motorcycle Trip or Plan a Self Guided Tour?

The question of going with a guided vs. self-guided motorcycle tour always comes up when planning longer rides like the ones we’ve covered above. Some riders enjoy the freedom and flexibility of self guided motorcycle tours, especially when there’s time to explore and change plans on the fly. Others prefer having a local lead the way, especially in unfamiliar areas where the best roads and viewpoints aren’t always marked on a map. It really comes down to how you like to travel, how much time you want to spend planning, and how confident you feel navigating new roads on your own.

Browse Motorcycle Tour Experiences on Riders Share

Riders Share connects you with guided motorcycle tours across the U.S., led by riders who know the roads, the scenery, and the best places to stop along the way. These experiences are hosted by locals, so the routes often include those lesser-known stretches that don’t always make it onto a travel blog. Explore available tours near your next destination and book a ride that lets you skip the planning and focus on the experience.

Tips to Start Planning Your Motorcycle Tour (Without Overcomplicating It)

Not sure where to begin now that you’ve got a few motorcycle tours to plan? Whether you’re leaning toward a self-guided route or looking into a guided experience, it helps to keep the early stages simple. Here are a few low-stress ways to kick things off:

• Pick a region first, not a route. It’s easier to narrow things down when you start with an area you’re excited to ride through.
• Decide how much time you want to be on the bike each day. That alone can shape how far you go and what kind of roads you’ll want to ride.
• Check fuel stops, weather patterns, and seasonal road closures. A quick look can save you from surprises that throw off your day.
• Leave room for detours. The best parts of a tour often aren’t planned! Small towns, scenic stops, and unexpected turns usually stick with you the longest.
• Know when to book ahead. Some areas fill up during peak season, especially national parks and popular small towns. If you’re planning a ride with overnight stops, lodging is usually the thing to book first.

Conclusion

Every rider has a different idea of what makes a road trip memorable. The five motorcycle tours in this blog offer a little bit of everything, from desert loops and coastal stretches to fall foliage rides in New England. No matter what you're into, one of these routes is bound to line up with the kind of travel you actually enjoy. Pick the one that stands out, start planning the details, and make your next ride something you're excited to talk about afterward!