The Top 5 Highways to Ride Your Motorcycle on the East Coast

Motorcycle riders on the East Coast have some of the best roads in the country to explore. From the Appalachian Mountains’ winding roads to the Atlantic’s scenic coastlines, there is something for every rider. Here are the top 5 highways to ride your motorcycle on the East Coast.

The Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile scenic highway that runs through Virginia and North Carolina. It is one of the most popular motorcycle roads in the country and offers stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains. The road is mostly two lanes and has plenty of twists and turns to entertain riders. There are also plenty of overlooks and rest stops along the way.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful scenic drive that spans 469 miles through the Appalachian Mountains, and many sites are worth visiting along the way. Here are some of the best sites to visit on the Blue Ridge Parkway:

1. Humpback Rocks: Humpback Rocks is a popular hiking destination with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
2. Linville Falls: Linville Falls is a beautiful waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest. Several trails lead to different viewpoints of the falls.
3. Mabry Mill: Mabry Mill is a historic gristmill that has been restored and is now a popular tourist attraction. There is a restaurant on site that serves traditional Southern food.
4. Peaks of Otter: Peaks of Otter is a scenic area with three mountain peaks that offer hiking trails and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
5. Grandfather Mountain: Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers breathtaking views from its Mile High Swinging Bridge.
6. Craggy Gardens: Craggy Gardens is a popular spot for hiking and picnicking and is especially beautiful in the spring when the rhododendrons are in bloom.
7. Mount Mitchell: Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
8. The Linn Cove Viaduct: The Linn Cove Viaduct is a beautiful bridge that spans a rugged section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

These are just a few beautiful sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Tail of the Dragon

The Tail of the Dragon is an 11-mile stretch of road in Tennessee known for its 318 curves. It is one of the most popular motorcycle roads in the country and is a great way to test your riding skills. The road is mostly two lanes and mostly free of traffic, making it the perfect place to open up the throttle and have fun. Here are some places to visit near the Tail of the Dragon:

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located near the Tail of the Dragon and offers beautiful hiking trails, scenic drives, and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
2. Fontana Dam: Fontana Dam is located near the Tail of the Dragon and is the tallest dam east of the Rocky Mountains. Visitors can take a guided dam tour or enjoy fishing and boating on Fontana Lake.
3. Cherohala Skyway: The Cherohala Skyway is a scenic drive from Tellico Plains, Tennessee, to Robbinsville, North Carolina, and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
4. Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort: The Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort is located at the southern end of the Tail of the Dragon and offers visitors lodging, dining, and a souvenir shop.
5. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest: The Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is located near Robbinsville, North Carolina, and offers a peaceful hike through an old-growth forest with trees that are over 400 years old.
6. Nantahala National Forest: The Nantahala National Forest is located near the Tail of the Dragon and offers hiking, fishing, and camping opportunities in a beautiful mountain setting.

Skyline Drive

Skyline Drive is a 105-mile scenic highway that runs through the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The road is mostly two lanes and offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Plenty of overlooks and rest stops along the way make it a great place to take a break and enjoy the scenery. Here are some of the best sites to visit on Skyline Drive:

1. Old Rag Mountain: Old Rag Mountain is a popular hiking destination that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
2. Stony Man Mountain: Stony Man Mountain is the second-highest peak in Shenandoah National Park and offers a relatively easy hike to the summit with great views.
3. Dark Hollow Falls: Dark Hollow Falls is a beautiful waterfall that can be reached via a 1.4-mile round-trip hike from the parking area.
4. Hawksbill Mountain: Hawksbill Mountain is the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park and offers stunning views.
5. Big Meadows: Big Meadows is a large open meadow that offers a range of hiking trails, picnic areas, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
6. Skyland Resort: Skyland Resort is a historic lodge that offers lodging, dining, and spectacular views of the Shenandoah Valley.
7. Mary’s Rock Tunnel: Mary’s Rock Tunnel is a unique Skyline Drive feature carved through a large rock formation.
8. Limberlost Trail: Limberlost Trail is a relatively easy hike through a beautiful forest that is especially popular in the fall when the leaves change color.

The Atlantic Coast

The Atlantic Coast is one of the most scenic highways in the country. The highway runs from Maine to Florida and offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. The road is mostly two lanes and offers plenty of twists and turns to keep riders entertained. There are also plenty of rest stops and overlooks along the way. The Atlantic Coast Highway, also known as Route 1, is a scenic road that runs along the coast of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Here are some of the best sites to visit on the Atlantic Coast Highway:

1. Acadia National Park, Maine: Acadia National Park is located in Maine and offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and more.
2. Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts: Cape Cod National Seashore is a beautiful stretch of coastline that offers hiking trails, beaches, and historic lighthouses.
3. Newport Mansions, Rhode Island: Newport Mansions are historic homes that offer tours showcasing the architecture and lifestyle of the Gilded Age.
4. Mystic Seaport, Connecticut: Mystic Seaport is a living history museum that showcases the maritime heritage of New England, with historic ships, exhibits, and demonstrations.
5. Coney Island, New York: Coney Island is a popular beach and amusement park destination in Brooklyn, offering rides, games, and food.
6. Cape May, New Jersey: Cape May is a historical Victorian town with beautiful beaches, historic homes, and charming shops and restaurants.
7. Assateague Island, Maryland, and Virginia: Assateague Island is a barrier island home to wild horses and beautiful beaches and hiking trails.
8. Outer Banks, North Carolina: The Outer Banks are a beautiful stretch of coastline that offer beaches, lighthouses, and historic sites, including the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
9. Charleston, South Carolina: Charleston is a charming historic city with beautiful architecture, delicious food, and cultural attractions.
10. Savannah, Georgia: Savannah is another historic Southern city with beautiful architecture, scenic parks, and great restaurants and shopping.
11. St. Augustine, Florida: St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States, with a rich history, beautiful architecture, and great restaurants and shops.

The Appalachian Highway

The Appalachian Highway is a 469-mile scenic highway that runs through Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. The road is mostly two lanes and offers stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains. Plenty of overlooks and rest stops along the way make it a great place to take a break and enjoy the scenery. The Appalachian Highway, also known as Corridor Z, is a highway that runs through the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States, connecting Georgia and Ohio. Here are some of the best sites to visit on the Appalachian Highway:

1. Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia: Amicalola Falls State Park is located near the southern end of the Appalachian Highway and offers beautiful waterfalls, hiking trails, and camping opportunities.
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, and North Carolina: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is beautiful straddles the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, offering stunning mountain views, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
3. Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina: The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic drive that runs along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside, hiking trails, and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
4. Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Kentucky: Natural Bridge State Resort Park has a stunning natural bridge formation, hiking trails, rock climbing opportunities, and a skylift.
5. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia: New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a beautiful park that offers scenic vistas of the New River Gorge, hiking trails, whitewater rafting opportunities, and historic sites.
6. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia: Shenandoah National Park is a beautiful park that offers stunning mountain views, hiking trails, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, as well as the scenic Skyline Drive.
7. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio: Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a beautiful park that offers hiking trails, waterfalls, historic sites, and scenic train rides.

Conclusion

The East Coast has some of the best roads in the country for motorcycle riders. From the Appalachian Mountains’ winding roads to the Atlantic’s scenic coastlines, there is something for every rider. The Blue Ridge Parkway, Tail of the Dragon, Skyline Drive, Atlantic Coast, and Appalachian Highway are great roads to explore on your motorcycle. So, get out there and enjoy the ride!