America was made for motorcycle touring. Big skies, proper open roads, mountain passes, desert stretches, coastal highways — it has the lot. The hard part is not deciding whether to do a US motorcycle tour. It's deciding which one to do first.
If you're weighing up your options, this guide pulls together some of the best motorcycle tours in the USA — whether you want a bucket-list Route 66 experience, epic mountain scenery in Colorado, or a laid-back coastal ride in California.
Why the USA is one of the best places in the world for a motorcycle tour
The USA works brilliantly for touring because the scale is huge and the riding is varied. You can do long-distance iconic rides, mountain touring with sweeping bends, Pacific coast roads with ocean views, desert and canyon landscapes, and proper small-town Americana with classic roadside stops. For many riders, it's the one trip that's been sitting on the list for years.
1. Route 66 — the all-time classic
If you want the full American road-trip experience, Route 66 is still the headline act.
A good Route 66 tour runs from Chicago to Santa Monica and takes in old diners, neon signs, desert roads, and a real cross-section of the country. It's less about attacking corners and more about soaking up the atmosphere.
Best for: first-time USA tour riders, anyone chasing a true bucket-list trip, and people who want culture and scenery, not just technical roads.
What to look for: support vehicle options, bike hire included, a sensible pace with time for stops, and clear accommodation standards.
2. The Pacific Coast Highway — California at its best
From San Francisco down to San Diego, the PCH is one of those rides that delivers on its reputation every single time. Ocean on your left, redwood forests and clifftops on your right. Big Sur alone is worth the flight.
This is a more manageable introduction to US touring — the distances are shorter, the infrastructure is excellent, and the riding is genuinely spectacular.
3. Colorado — mountain roads done properly
If technical riding is more your thing, Colorado is where the USA earns its stripes. The Million Dollar Highway, Trail Ridge Road, Independence Pass — these are proper mountain roads with elevation, exposure, and views that stop you cold.
Most operators run 7–10 day tours out of Denver. The season runs roughly June to September when the passes are open.
The honest summary
Any of these three will deliver. The question is what kind of riding you want. Route 66 is about the journey and the culture. The PCH is about scenery and ease. Colorado is about the roads themselves.
All three are worth doing. You just need to pick which one comes first.
