Few things compare to riding a motorcycle on the open road. The air feels fresh and exhilarating. Being outdoors and on the move boosts the mood. Sounds and sights seem closer. The experience puts the rider in closer contact with the surrounding landscape. That's a huge advantage when taking a sunny summer road trip on All-American Roads. These are stretches of highway recognized by the national government as having scenic, natural, historic, recreational, archaeological, or cultural significance. In all, there are 39 All-American Roads, but these are some of the most astounding:
7 Natchez-Trace Parkway, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee
Riding the Natchez-Trace Parkway from start to end non-stop takes about ten hours, but motorcyclists will want to spend longer. This stretch of road is 444 miles long. There are scenic overlooks like the Bird-Song Hollow Double Arch Bridge at milepost 348. Travelers can see Jackson Falls at milepost 404.
Riding this road will help travelers relive history. The highway dates back to at least the 1700s when parts of it were Native American footpaths. Later, fur traders frequented the route. In the mid-1800s, this highway played a role in the Civil War. People driving along it can stop at several historically significant sites.
6 Red Rock Scenic Byway, Arizona
The Red Rock Scenic Byway in Sedona County, Arizona is just seven and a half miles long. The scenic byway begins at milepost 302.5 of State Highway 179 and ends at milepost 310. Riding this path only takes 20 minutes, but travelers should plan on needing a few hours to explore its length. They'll want to stop every few feet to take photos of the amazing red rock formations or follow a trailhead. Travelers won't want to miss seeing the ancient petroglyphs carved by Native Americans. To do this, visitors have to pay a $5 fee park fee and stop at the V Bar V Rock Art sign. It's just a short walk to the archaeological site. People will also want to experience the swirling power of natural vortexes along the byway. These are found at the following points: Courthouse Butte / Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Airport Mesa, and Boynton Canyon.
5 Great River Road National Scenic Byway, Louisiana to Minnesota
The Great River Road follows the Mississippi River for 3000 miles. It runs through or along the border of ten states. These include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Riding the route without stopping would take about 36 hours. Most visitors take between four and ten days to travel the road.
4 Big Sur Coast Highway Route 1, California
California's Big Sur Coast Highway Route 1 has a little of everything. Motorists on this road will see redwood forests, the Pacific Ocean, sea lions, and foggy cliffs. People consider it one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in the world. It is 72 miles long and takes anywhere from an hour and a half to five hours to ride, depending on how many times travelers want to stop and enjoy the breathtaking views. People planning to travel this road need to plan ahead. Traffic gets congested at the most popular lookout points like Bixby Bridge. Travelers should avoid riding Route 1 on holidays or weekends.
3 Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway, Colorado
Trail Ridge Road is a stretch of U.S. Highway 34. It is the highest paved road in Colorado. Eleven miles of its 48 miles are above the tree line. People riding on this highway will see mountainous peaks all around them at elevations of 12,000 to 14,000 ft. Another fascinating feature of this byway is that it crosses the continental divide at Milner Pass. Before being paved, this trail was used by Native Americans to cross the Rocky Mountains. Today motorists use it for the same purpose when traveling between Estes Park and Grand Lake, Colorado. The road is only open in the summer since it is covered by snow throughout the winter and late into the spring.
2 The Florida Keys Scenic Highway
Pineapple farmers in Key Largo needed a way to get their harvest quickly to the mainland--boats just weren't efficient. This is how the Florida Keys Scenic Highway was born. This piece of US 1 is 106 miles long. Riding this road takes about four hours. People should ride this scenic byway early in the morning or late in the evening. Sunrises, sunsets, and the stars look spectacular. travelers will enjoy wide views of the Keys, the coast, and the ocean. The Seven Mile Bridge is one of the route's most famous features.
1 The Selkirk Loop, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia
This circular route takes travelers through two U.S. states and one Canadian province. It is the only designated scenic drive in the U.S. that travels between two countries. It measures 280 miles long. Motorcyclists can expect to spend four days and five nights exploring the Rocky Mountains on these roads. Crystalline lakes and towering mountains will surprise travelers. British Columbia's Kootenay Lake is one of the most famous sights on this trail. People can take a spectacular 45-minute ferry ride from Kootenay Bay to Balfour.