10 Best Roads to Drive in the US - For Cars, Bikes, and RVs!

Unlike other countries that require flying and island hopping, going from one state to another in the United States can be done by land, making it a popular destination for road trips in the world. There are numerous roads you can take on, that’s why planning ahead of time is a must.

When you have easy-to-share road trip plans, you can maximize your sightseeing time while also informing those who aren't traveling with you where you are at all times. You can't always count on your phone or GPS to get you out of a rut. There will be times when you will be unable to navigate or communicate with the outside world due to a lack of service.

• Not enough satellites
• Satellite position
• GPS drift
• Lost signal
• Multipath Error
• Signal obstruction - this is the most common, especially when dealing with large buildings, trees, tunnels, and other interference with the GPS receiver

If you don’t want to experience a faulty GPS, consider going old school and carrying a map with you. Consider it a just-in-case insurance policy for when you're miles from civilization on the road.

So, now that you've got a plan for preparation, where should you go? The United States is full of breathtaking scenery that any motorcycle enthusiast will enjoy. Let's divide it up by category so you know which roads are best for you.

Image source: VisitNC.com

Difficulty: Beginner

Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles of roadway that has been nicknamed “America’s Favorite Drive.” Spanning North Carolina and Virginia, the road begins by Shenandoah National Park and ends at Great Smoky Mountains National Park - plenty of scenery and great cruising speed (a compulsory 45-mile-per-hour speed limit means that you have time to savor the views).

Image source: Yellowstone National Park

Difficulty: Intermediate

Also known as Beartooth Pass or Beartooth All-American Highway, the Beartooth Highway is a 68.7-mile stretch of Highway 212 that offers some very stimulating driving, especially when you’re driving with your bike. It Is the highest, elevated paved road in the northern Rocky Mountains (can feel the thrill while typing this), with lots of ups and downs, zig and zags, wind and wends; little guardrails and a ton of breathtaking scenery.

Image source: TennesseeRiverValleyGeotourism.org

Difficulty: Intermediate

You might recognize this run from many movies and TV shows - the long, sweeping corners, and the scenic views. Often referred to as "a drive among the clouds" the Cherohala Skyway is 43 miles of roadway that takes you to elevations of over 5400 feet high. If you want to make an entire day out of riding, pairing Cherohala (intermediate roadway) with Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap assures you will make the most out of your challenge seeking.

Image source: Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area

Difficulty: Beginner

An easy and leisurely ride for beginners, the Natchez Trace Parkway is 444 miles of road stretching 444 miles through the woods of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee that was originally used by prehistoric animals, then Native Americans and later, settling Europeans.

If you are looking for a serene drive that offers a bit of history as well as natural scenery, the Natchez Trace Parkway is where you need to be! In fact, you can drive the entire length of the Trace without ever stopping - there are no stop signs or stop lights, no cross traffic, no commercial traffic - but there is a 50 mph speed limit.

Image source: VisitRapidCity.com

Difficulty: Intermediate

Needles Highway totals 37.89 miles of intermediate skilled roadway in South Dakota. Incredible twists and turns, bridges, hills and valleys, and even a few short tunnels, all complemented by excellent pavement that is well maintained through the non-winter months - perfect this Spring! You can make a detour to see such sights as Mount Rushmore or take in the natural scenery along the highway.

Image source: Afar.com

Difficulty: Beginner

Also known as State Route 1, the Pacific Coast Highway is 655.8 miles of roadway that stretches along the California oceanic edge, cutting through many small towns and cities. For those looking for the ultimate coastal scenic roadway, the Big Sur section (from Carmel to Morro Bay) offers Two lanes with an uncountable number of curves, the mountains on one side and seal-dotted beachers and crashing surf on the other side. This cliff-hugging ribbon stretches 120 miles and has enough curves to keep you content, and frequent turnouts for enjoying the stellar views.

Image source: TravelSouthDakota.com

When you have an RV, you can basically drive anywhere, park your ride, and spend the night there. But whether you’re driving an RV, car or a bike, one of the best places for overnight outdoor stays are National Parks. National Parks across the US make a great spot to hike, camp, sightsee and provide extreme experience when traveling. These are only a few examples – the opportunities are endless when it comes to the natural beauty and adventure of the great outdoors.

• Badlands National Park – South Dakota
• Joshua Tree National Park – California
• Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
• Zion National Park – Utah
• Grand Teton National Park – Wyoming

Image source: Utah.com

Every now and then, riders like to stray from the well-beaten path. When that happens, they find some of the best places in the US to ride and see the most beautiful scenery. These riders also get to showcase their skill on some of the more extreme paths.

• The Paiute Trail – Utah
• Windrock Park – Tennessee
• Red River Motorcycle Trails – Texas
• Croom Motorcycle Area – Florida
• Hatfield-McCoy Trails – West Virginia

Checking out the sites doesn’t always mean escaping to forests and National Parks. Sometimes, it can just be visiting the big city to see what sites are there. Some of these cities go without any explanation needed, and others might be a hidden jewel you never knew existed.

• New York City, New York
• York, Pennsylvania
• Chicago, Illinois
• Elkins, West Virginia
• Thousand Oaks, California

Image source: ContinentalAutosports.com

Sometimes you don’t want to go sightseeing but merely quench the need for speed. The US does not disappoint when looking for some of the best tracks that cater to both cars and motorcycles!

• Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – Monterey, California
• Daytona International Speedway – Daytona, Florida
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Indianapolis, Indiana
• Circuit of The Americas – Austin, Texas
• Road America – Plymouth, Wisconsin

What would a “best of” list be without the honorable mention section? Searching for the best routes has introduced us to some relatively interesting sites and routes that you might find worth adding to your list.

Image source: blog.DealsGap.com

This is the shortest yet most challenging trail motorcycle riders and sports car drivers can encounter. 318 curves in an 11-mile stretch. This road is not for the faint of heart. It can be found on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina at Deals Gap.

Image source: Roadtrippers.com

There are two locations to find the retired car version of Stonehenge – Alliance, Nebraska, and Amarillo, Texas (also known as Cadillac Ranch).

Image source: USAToday.com

Western North Dakota is home to the Enchanted Highway, where you will find large metal sculptures, a horse-drawn carriage, and the World’s Largest Tin Family made from empty oil drums.

You can’t always have your camera out while you are on the road – this is true in both automobiles or on a motorcycle. Most places have banned cell phone use while operating a vehicle, so what do you do if you want to make memories of all the sights?

Simple. Install a dash cam.

Whether you want to record while you’re continuously driving, keep an eye on your ride while parked, or just want to download your clips for sharing on social media, our dash cams here at BlackboxMyCar can surely do the job for you. Check out our website to see what's on sale this week to take up to $100 off your next dash cam buy!

Best of all, we have a variety of options that work best for your cars, for your RVs, for your motorcycles - whichever side you prefer.

When you decide to take a trip in the North American hemisphere, you won’t want to miss a scene, and you also want to increase safety. Ordering and installing your dash cam from us makes it easier for you to get the protection you and your vehicle needs, while also keeping the best travel memories to cherish for life!