The open road calls to every motorcyclist, but certain stretches of asphalt seem designed specifically for the perfect ride. America’s parkways offer some of the finest riding experiences in the country, combining smooth surfaces, gentle curves, and stunning scenery that transforms a simple ride into an unforgettable journey.
These carefully designed roads prioritize the driving experience over pure transportation efficiency, making them ideal for riders who want to savor every mile rather than simply reach a destination. Unlike busy highways or urban streets, parkways typically feature limited commercial development, well-maintained surfaces, and landscaping that enhances the natural beauty of their surroundings.
Here is a curated list of 18 parkways that provide exceptional experiences for motorcycle enthusiasts seeking the perfect cruising adventure.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Stretching 469 miles from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway stands as America’s most beloved scenic route. The road follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing constantly changing elevation and sweeping curves that showcase the Appalachian landscape.
Fall foliage season transforms this route into a tunnel of brilliant colors, while spring brings wildflowers and cascading waterfalls. The parkway’s 45-mph speed limit encourages riders to slow down and appreciate the journey rather than rush toward their destination.
Natchez Trace Parkway
This 444-mile route follows an ancient trail used by Native Americans, European explorers, and early American settlers from Nashville, Tennessee, to Natchez, Mississippi. The parkway features gentle curves and rolling hills through forests, farmland, and historic sites that tell the story of American expansion.
Commercial traffic is prohibited, creating a peaceful riding environment where the biggest challenges are deciding which historic stops to explore. The road surface remains consistently excellent, while the abundance of shade trees provides natural air conditioning during hot southern summers.
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Running along the Potomac River between Mount Vernon and the Great Falls of the Potomac, this Virginia parkway offers spectacular views of Washington, DC’s monuments and landmarks. The route provides unique perspectives on the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Jefferson Memorial that most tourists never experience.
The parkway’s proximity to the nation’s capital means excellent infrastructure and maintenance, while the riverside location creates cooling breezes that make summer riding comfortable. Multiple overlooks and historic sites provide perfect excuses to stop and photograph both natural beauty and architectural achievements.
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Colonial Parkway
Virginia’s Colonial Parkway connects Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown through 23 miles of carefully preserved colonial landscape. The road design deliberately hides modern intrusions, creating the illusion of riding through 18th-century Virginia.
Brick bridges and period-appropriate landscaping maintain the historical atmosphere while providing excellent riding surfaces. The parkway’s connection to three major historical sites makes it perfect for combining motorcycle touring with American history education.
Skyline Drive
Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive runs 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. The road provides access to hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks while maintaining the gentle curves and moderate grades that make for excellent touring.
Wildlife sightings are common, including black bears, deer, and various bird species that add excitement to the riding experience. The drive’s elevation changes create dramatic temperature variations that can provide relief from summer heat in the valleys below.
Great River Road
Following the Mississippi River for over 3,000 miles from Minnesota to Louisiana, the Great River Road offers endless opportunities for motorcycle touring. The route passes through diverse landscapes, including river bluffs, agricultural areas, and historic river towns that showcase America’s heartland.
While the entire route would require weeks to complete, individual sections provide excellent day trips or weekend adventures. The road’s proximity to the river creates unique microclimates and frequent opportunities to observe river traffic and wildlife.
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Foothills Parkway
Tennessee’s Foothills Parkway provides spectacular views of the Great Smoky Mountains while avoiding the heavy traffic common in the national park itself. The recently completed sections offer smooth surfaces and carefully engineered curves that highlight the natural beauty of the southern Appalachians.
The parkway’s elevation provides cooling temperatures and clear views that extend for dozens of miles on clear days. Limited development along the route maintains the wilderness atmosphere while providing essential services for touring motorcyclists.
Kancamagus Highway
New Hampshire’s Route 112 through the White Mountain National Forest offers 34.5 miles of some of New England’s most spectacular mountain scenery. The road follows the Swift River through a valley surrounded by 4,000-foot peaks covered in northern hardwood forests.
Fall foliage season transforms this route into one of America’s most photographed drives, while summer provides comfortable temperatures and excellent visibility. The highway’s moderate curves and well-maintained surface make it accessible to riders of all skill levels.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Montana’s Glacier National Park features this engineering marvel that crosses the Continental Divide through some of America’s most pristine wilderness. The road’s narrow sections and steep grades require careful attention, but the payoff includes views of glacial lakes, waterfalls, and wildlife that few people ever experience.
The high-altitude sections often remain snow-covered until July, limiting the riding season but ensuring spectacular mountain scenery. Well-maintained roads keep the road surface in excellent condition despite the challenging mountain environment.
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Cherohala Skyway
This 43-mile route between Tennessee and North Carolina follows mountain ridges through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests. The skyway provides access to some of the Southeast’s highest elevations while maintaining gentle grades and smooth surfaces perfect for touring motorcycles.
The route’s name combines Cherokee and Nantahala, reflecting its path through traditional Cherokee territory. Multiple overlooks provide opportunities to photograph the rolling mountains that extend to the horizon in every direction.
Highway
Hawaii’s Road to Hana offers 64 miles of coastal riding through tropical rainforests, past waterfalls, and along dramatic Pacific Ocean cliffs. The route requires careful attention due to narrow sections and one-lane bridges, but rewards riders with some of the most exotic scenery available in the United States.
Roadside fruit stands and swimming holes provide perfect stops for cooling off and refueling. The highway’s tropical setting creates a unique riding environment that feels more like touring a foreign country than exploring domestic destinations.
Pacific Coast Highway
California’s Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast provides 90 miles of dramatic ocean views and challenging mountain curves that define West Coast touring. The road clings to cliffs hundreds of feet above the Pacific Ocean, creating both spectacular views and demanding riding conditions.
Frequent fog can reduce visibility and create slippery conditions, while the narrow road requires constant attention to oncoming traffic. Despite these challenges, the route remains one of America’s most iconic motorcycle destinations.
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Talimena Scenic Drive
The 54-mile route between Oklahoma and Arkansas follows mountain ridges through the Ouachita National Forest. Fall colors rival those found anywhere in North America, while spring wildflowers create carpets of color across the mountain meadows.
The drive’s moderate elevation changes and gentle curves make it perfect for riders seeking scenic beauty without technical challenges. Multiple overlooks provide opportunities to photograph the rolling mountains that extend into both states.
Beartooth Highway
Montana and Wyoming’s Highway 212 climbs to over 10,900 feet elevation while providing access to some of the Rocky Mountains’ most spectacular alpine scenery. The route typically opens only from late May through October due to heavy snow, but the short season provides perfect riding weather and crystal-clear mountain air.
Glacial lakes, alpine meadows, and 12,000-foot peaks create an almost otherworldly riding environment. The highway’s high elevation and challenging weather require careful preparation but reward adventurous riders with unforgettable experiences.
Sunset Highway
Oregon’s Highway 26 through the Coast Range offers 20 miles of forested mountain riding between Portland and the Pacific Ocean. The route provides relief from urban traffic while showcasing the Pacific Northwest’s famous evergreen forests.
Multiple state parks and recreational areas along the route provide opportunities for hiking, camping, and exploring Oregon’s natural beauty. The highway’s proximity to Portland makes it perfect for day trips or weekend escapes from city life.
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Million Dollar Highway
Colorado’s Highway 550 between Silverton and Ouray earns its name from both construction costs and spectacular mountain scenery. The route climbs through former mining country, where abandoned equipment and building foundations tell stories of Colorado’s silver boom.
Steep grades and narrow sections require careful riding, while the high altitude can affect both rider and machine performance. The San Juan Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop of peaks exceeding 14,000 feet elevation.
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
The North Carolina section of the Blue Ridge Parkway offers different scenery and riding challenges than its Virginia counterpart. Higher elevations and steeper grades create more demanding riding conditions, while the southern Appalachian landscape provides unique flora and fauna.
The parkway passes near several major North Carolina cities, making it easily accessible while maintaining its wilderness character. Craft shops and mountain music venues along the route showcase authentic Appalachian culture.
Seward Highway
Alaska’s Highway 1 between Anchorage and Seward provides 127 miles of subarctic riding through some of North America’s most pristine wilderness. The route follows Turnagain Arm and then climbs through mountain passes where glaciers and wildlife sightings are common.
The midnight sun during summer months allows for extended riding days, while the dramatic landscape creates photo opportunities around every curve. The highway’s remote location requires careful preparation and self-sufficiency, but rewards adventurous riders with truly unique experiences.
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Where Pavement Meets Adventure
These parkways represent the perfect marriage of engineering excellence and natural beauty that makes motorcycle touring so appealing. Each route offers its own combination of scenic rewards, riding challenges, and cultural experiences that create memories lasting far beyond the final mile.
From the gentle curves of southern routes to the high-altitude adventures of mountain passes, these parkways provide opportunities for riders to experience America’s diverse landscapes at the perfect pace for appreciation and enjoyment. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful afternoon cruise or a challenging multi-day adventure, these carefully selected routes deliver the kind of riding experiences that remind us why we fell in love with motorcycles in the first place.
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