Midwest motorcycle trips take cyclists on a roller-coaster ride of exploration and discovery as they traverse highways, byways, and back road destinations. From Great Lakes scenery to historical highways, each offers its own exceptional scenery, attractions, and adventures.
1. Wilmington-Kankakee River Loop
Location: Illinois
Distance: 42 miles
Time to Ride: Few Hours
The 42-mile loop is a biker’s dream when it comes to smoothly paved roads with rolling curves to lean into. The tree-lined route provides a cool backdrop to the scenic ride. Both Route 102 and Route 113 offer a pleasant outing with stops along the way at local restaurants and bars, such as The Launching Pad in Wilmington. Enhance your visit with a stop at the 4,000-acre Kankakee State Park on Route 102 for a picnic, relaxing walk, or to camp for the night.
2. Starved Rock Run on Route 71
Location: Illinois
Distance: 13 miles
Time to Ride: One Hour
Anytime of year, the Starved Rock Run on Route 71 is a pleasant 13-mile jaunt on a narrow two-lane road through a thick wooded area with hilly sections and past deep ravines. Along the route you will have access to Starved Rock State Park, where you take a moment to relax and rewind and stop in at the visitor center, have a picnic, hike a trail or two, or set up camp. The historic Starved Rock Lodge, built in 1939, is also an option to spend the night or weekend in one of the hotel rooms or cozy log cabins.
Overall, with its thick trees, the ride is especially scenic during the fall, when the leaves are changing throughout the park, in the canyons, and along the river.
3. The Crawford-Perry Co. River Loop
Location: Indiana
Distance: 120 miles
Time to Ride: Half Day to Full Day
One of the best motorcycle rides in Indiana is the Crawford-Perry Co. River Loop. Riders enjoy a straight-away route from Corydon to Leavenworth, then the road turns into a loop, traveling past several small towns. The road offers a nice ride with friendly curves and slight elevation changes while traveling along the Blue River and on to Horseshoe Bend. Towns along the way include Magnet, Tell City, Derby, and Hawesville, where you’ll find vintage old-style bars and restaurants, such as Smackwater Cove in Magnet, Julie’s Tell Street Cafe in Tell City, and The Overlook Restaurant in Leavenworth.
4. Old Lincoln Highway
Location: Iowa
Distance: 30 miles
Time to Ride: One Hour
The original surface of this historical highway was brick. Today, the resurfaced highway offers 30 miles of straightaway, allowing riders to get the wind at their backs and just cruise. The highway runs through the peace and quiet of Iowa’s southwestern farmland. You will be riding on a piece of history when traveling the highway, which was formed in 1913. At that time, the Lincoln Highway ran from New York City to San Francisco’s Lincoln Park, for a total of 14 states. Enjoy your ride along this piece of American history.
5. The Racetrack Road of Terror
Location: Kansas
Distance: 9 miles
Time to Ride: 30 Minutes to One Hour
While driving the 9-mile Racetrack Road of Terror, the overhanging trees that accompany the highway provide a feeling of driving in a tunnel-like setting. The tree-lined road is a series of hills and twists, which makes for an entertaining ride. Posted speeds range from 25 mph to 40 mph. The surface is in good condition but there are sections that may have loose gravel. Keep an eye out near Lakeside for signs to Wyandotte Lake for a scenic ride around the water. Along the route itself, you’ll pass Leavenworth National Cemetery.
6. Tunnel of Trees Road (M-119)
Location: Michigan
Distance: 22 miles
Time to Ride: One Hour
The Tunnel of Trees Road is a scenic coastline ride for 22 miles with Harbor Springs being the starting point and Cross Village at the end. As one of the best motorcycle rides in Michigan, riders experience serene and scenic views with canopied forested landscapes and meadowland lining the route along with glimpses of Lake Michigan through the trees. The road is narrow with numerous twists that keeps the speed limit fluctuating between low (30 mph) to lower (15 mph) to accommodate the twist-backs.
There are many things to do along the short route, such as a visit to Pond Hill Farm and the Balsam and Cedar Trails in Harbor Springs, delicious food at the Legs Inn in Cross Village, and the Good Hart General Store in Good Hart in business since the 1930s.
7. The Northstar Tour (U.S. Highway 61)
Location: Minnesota
Distance: 28 miles
Time to Ride: 30 Minutes to One Hour
Enjoy a 28-mile ride along the shoreline when taking the Northstar Tour. The scenery along the route is a mix of mountains, forest, and lake. Starting in Duluth, the route is bordered by Lake Superior to the east, and to the left, there’s the Kabetogama State Forest, Superior National Forest, and Isle Royale National Park, assorted waterfalls, lakes, and more. The route ends at the Canadian border, which is another opportunity to expand your Midwest motorcycle trip.
8. The Welch Village Twisties Run
Location: Minnesota
Distance: 21 miles
Time to Ride: 30 Minutes to One Hour
For a short and scenic ride, this 21-mile ride from Red Wing to Welch is full of twists and turns, some tighter than others. This is just a fun ride on a well-surfaced highway. There are plenty of cafes and gas stations along the way.
9. Missouri Wine Country Tour
Location: Missouri
Distance: 60 miles
Time to Ride: Half Day
The Missouri Wine Country Tour is one of the best motorcycle rides in Missouri. The 60 mile route consists of twists, turns, and hills that provide diverse scenery, which includes river valleys, farmland, limestone bluffs, and wineries.
Along the route, short detours lead to attractions, such as the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation, the Daniel Boone House built in the 1800s, and hiking along the Katy Trail. If traveling during October, plan a stop in Hermann to enjoy October Fest.
10. Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway (Route 2)
Location: Nebraska
Distance: 358 miles
Time to Ride: Full Day
For those planning an extended trip over a lot of miles, the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway is a good place to start the adventure. The route is 358 miles over open highway past grassland and prairie landscape. In Nebraska, the byway runs from the northwest to the southeast along the same route pioneers traveled in their Conestoga wagons back in the day.
If you plan to camp, stop in at Halsey State Park, located within the Nebraska National Forest. Towns along the route provide food, fuel, and hotels.
11. Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway
Location: North Dakota
Distance: 40 miles
Time to Ride: One Hour
Rolling hills and river valley landscape are the features of this 40-mile route, which has been designated a National Scenic Byway. The byway follows the Sheyenne River, taking you through scenic farmland and ranches through three towns – Ransom, Valley City, and Kathryn. There are towns along the way for pit stops. Fort Ransom State Park is an interesting break for a relaxing walk in the woods. If you want to stay overnight, there are camp sites, cabins, a yurt, and even a comfy wagon.
12. Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road
Location: South Dakota
Distance: 32 miles
Time to Ride: 30 Minutes to One Hour
The 32-mile loop is ideal for those who enjoy open roads, plenty of rolling hills and lush scenery, and the chance to see wildlife in their natural habitat, such as elk, American bison, prairie dogs, and white-tailed deer. Stop in at the Wildlife Station Visitors Center for a break and get information about the wildlife residing in Custer State Park. Within the park, there are numerous hard-packed roads to explore. If you choose to take this drive, be on the lookout for free-roaming wildlife.
13. The Endless Valley Run
Location: Wisconsin
Distance: 18 miles
Time to Ride: 30 Minutes to One Hour
Short and sweet, the 18-mile run is all about sitting back and enjoying the ride. The route in southwest Wisconsin touches on several landscapes, which include passing rivers and streams, crossing the ridge, and cruising through the valley. The backcountry run offers a serene ride on an open road with scenic views for miles as motorcyclists travel a narrow route with plenty of curves. The route runs from Barneveld to Spring Green, where there are assorted restaurants, taverns, and hotels.
Whether biking north to south or east to west, some riders consider the Midwest to be the best.