A Coast To Coast Motorcycle Ride Across America
We get many emails and calls from riders who want to take a motorcycle across America, which is really encouraging. Between us, Tim and myself have crossed America five times by bike, and every time it’s different. You really get a sense of how huge the USA is, and no matter how many stops you make, there are always regrets over the things you didn’t have time to see. Maybe that’s why we keep doing it!
Planning your own Coast To Coast tour, and need to hire a bike? Contact us. We can get you sorted with the right motorcycle, a spectacular route, and tips you won’t find anywhere else. We’re the USA Coast To Coast motorcycle touring experts. Harleys, Honda Goldwing, BMW and Triumphs are available to hire. One way rentals are no problem.
So…..what’s it like to ride a motorcycle across America? Taking such a long, high mileage journey on a bike can be physically and mentally challenging. Most riders usual trips are short, perhaps a weekend away, with the occasional longer tour. Coast to Coast requires at least a fortnight in the saddle (in fact we’d recommend three weeks minimum), and depending on the route you take, 4,000 miles of riding. Of course there are some hardcore, Iron-butt type riders who find this schedule a doddle, but most of us simply are not used to high mileage day in, day out, for several weeks in a row.
The reality is that you adapt. You get used to the drone of the tires on the tarmac, the wind buffeting your body. After the first week on the road, we always feel totally knackered, and we’ve learned to schedule an easy day to recuperate. Don’t make the mistake of overestimating how many miles you can do each day, especially if you want to stop and actually see things. Somewhere in the middle of your ride across America, you’ll feel like you’ve been on the bike forever, and the end of the trip seems so far away. Then the next thing you know, you’re on the opposite coast.
There are so many different ways to do this trip – Atlantic to Pacific or vice versa? NY to San Francisco or LA? Head west via the northern or southern route? The answer is, what kind of trip do you want? What would you like to see, what kind of roads do you want to ride? The options are nearly limitless. Start by deciding the things you’e absolutely like to see and do, then the route will slowly begin to reveal itself to you.
And when the ride is over? Emotionally, you’ll feel elated that you’ve accomplished the goal of riding coast to coast, but you might feel a bit gutted too! Handing over your bike and getting back to “the real world” seems very odd after 4,000+ miles. Give yourself a day or two at the end to back your revs off, maybe do something relaxing that doesn’t require much thought or physical activity. It will take a bit to process what you’ve just done.
Want some more tips on riding Coast to Coast? Click here for our 50 Tips.
A Coast To Coast motorcycle ride across America can be life changing. It will teach you a lot about yourself as a motorcyclist, and give you stories and memories to last a lifetime. And remember, getting lost is part of the fun!
Ride Safe,
Jim McDermott
The Lost Adventure
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Hi there, first of all I would like to congratulate you for the website and all the great tips given here. I really do envy you for all those road trips and I have it as my goal for life, which I plan to start this December. A friend of mine and I decided to do a road trip from South Florida to Las Vegas, starting on December 27th and planning to arrive in Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve, December 31st. Depending on how we feel we would like to stretch to Los Angeles, and then come back to South Florida, arriving by January 10th. I know this time of the year is very cold and also since we do not have much time, your tips will be deeply appreciated… We are riding a rental gold wing 2014 and my Honda ST1300 2003 (w/ 15k miles only). Considering the amount of time we have, we would like to avoid as much interstates as possible… We are 38 and 39 yrs old and don’t mind rustic and cheap places to rest or eat… It’s all about the fun and the adventure. I would deeply appreciate some advices on the best route you would recommend, maybe some places we MUST stop, bars, and maybe other advices, besides the 50 already given here…. Tks so much and look forward to hear from you soon!!!! Tks a lot!!!!!! Fernando.
Hi Fernando
I think you are being a little over ambitious with the time scale on this trip. In my opinion it will only be possible if you sit on freeway and as you correctly say it will be cold. Id be happy to talk to you if you give us a call on the numbers on our site. Sorry to not be more positive but 4 days coast to coast in the winter does not seem like a whole lot of fun to me.
Cheers
Tim
Me and my small group of miscreants do a coast to coast or a 4 corners ride every year. We range in age from 50 to 67. All but one ride Harleys. We camp every night. Have no daily destination. Do our best to avoid the interstates. We allow ourselves between 30 and 60 days round trip. Typically log 10,000 to 14,000 miles on a trip. Take a rest day every 5 days. Interact with the locals. Eat dinner in local hangout pubs or bars. Our standing and only rules are, no whining and if anyone in the group wants to stop or detour to see something we do it. No questions ask. We have seen numerous crazy and interesting sites and places and have met many great people over the years. Could not live without these yearly rides. Life is short. Enjoy it now.
I’d love to ride with y’all sometime
Come Join us at any point on our Annual Coast to Coast run John.
Hi Jon,
Randy here. Would like the details of your trip, when you hit the west coast if you haven’t already….Thanks! Would like to see the Country from the saddle….
Info Sent Randy
When is this coast to coast run?
Hi Paul
It’s every year from late March to early April. This year’s dates are March 23-April 6
That’s so awesome! Me and some friends are about to do the 4 corners of the US! I’m really looking forward to it!
Are you still riding the coast to coast ride? I would love to hear more about it and join if possible.
Hi Beth
Yes we are. I will email you the information today. Hope to see you in Florida.
Cheers
Tim
Looking to join cross country trip from Florida this spring…
Ok Corey, Ive sent you details on the ride.
Hi Tim please send me the information of the coast to coast ride. I would like to join you.
Hi Frank
Info sent. Hope to see you in Orlando and on the road.
Cheers
Tim
I’m hoping to do a NY to Oregon via San Fran and back next summer for my 65th b-day. I don’t know how long it would take but its a bucket lister…I ve done the Blue Ridge and Smokies twice and realize that is just a very little taste of what it takes…
Anyway any advice or tips would be great from ones who Know the score…
Minimum of 17 days if you want to stop along the way and maybe have a day or two off id say Sean. Maximum is up to you :-))
We’re leaving out next Sunday morning from gulf shores Alabama
Dragon first. The northeast of NC then heading west. No rules no time limit and staying off of interstates as much as possible.
Mostly camping. Any one wants to join us fell free.
[email protected]
Great website and tips. I’ve done this a few times and getting ready to go again, this time US 20 from Newport Oregon to it’s terminus in Boston MA.
Ride far,
Steve
On May 1, I start my fourth trip across the US. I leave the Sacramento area and head to Big Bend NP then up the Pig Trail in Arkansas. I continue East for an easy day in Lexington KY and sample some bourbon. Then on to Skyline Drive, Kitty Hawk, Gettysburg, Bar Harbor Maine, just to name a few. I’ll be 60 soon, so I must do it before it’s too late. If anyone is interested, please contact me.
Hey Guys,
My name is Dan and have had a dream of crossing USA from coast to coast. I used to ride around Kenya but never had an opportunity to cross Africa. I am crazy bout doing this. Anybody in Kansas who wants to do this? I would love to team up with somebody. I love this website. Anyway, I just need help to accomplish my dream.
Thanks guys.
I’m riding from NYC to Portland Oregon doing as many National Parks as possible and taking the scenic route…Looking at doing the Northern route then dipping far south and back up somewhere around the 2/3rds way there point. Any way, I’m 34, an avid outdoorsman and have motorcycle toured all over the world. Looking at Camping as much as possible, and planning this route solo, but if its an ideal match, company is always welcome. All my best, and reach out if youre interested in joining.
Ride far/Ride Safe,
Stuart
Hi my name is Adam,
So I’m doing my first coast to coast in May 2018. I will be starting in Orlando FL making my way to Seattle Wa. I am giving myself 11days due to work I will also camp as much as possible. Is there anyone who would like to chime in on this? Oh and the reason for this ride is I’m buying my father in-laws bike.
Hi Adam
Great ride. Id advise that you join our closed FB group the lost adventure coast to coast ride. Loads of tips and advise on the group.
Tim,
I would love to do a 4 corners run with you. I live in Aiken, SC. Please tell me where and when to jump on this year.
Regards,
Scott
We set off from Orlando on March 24th Scott. All of us aiming to be in LA by April 7th
Thank you Tim I will
Encouraging others to ride cross country is a great idea, good tips and site, thanks. My two cents: I Rode Across America on my Suzuki DL650 VStrom, from NY to FL, took a right and two days later successfully completed an Iron Butt 50CC so that I could take 12 days to enjoy the ride back home to NY thru Ortega (mountains) Highway, Angeles Crest Highway, Angeles Crest Natinal Forest, Mohave, Seqouia NP, Yosemite NP, Tioga Pass, Mono Lake, Lake Tahoe, Route 50 Nevada (America’s Loneliest Highway), Zion NP (hiked the narrows while there), Kabib NF, North RIm Grand Canyon NP, Monument Valley, Four Corners, Mesa Verde NP, San Juan Skyway to Telluride CO, soaked in the hot springs at Ouray CO, Million Dollar Highway, Wolf Creek Pass, Great Sand Dunes National Monument (CO), Dodge City, Ozarks, Sun Studio Memphis, Cherohala Skyway, Tail of the Dragon, Foothills Parkway, Newfound Gap thru the Smoky Mountain NP, Blue Ridge Parkway, stopped in Scranton to have lunch with my daughter who was in college at that point, Delaware Water Gap then, reluctantly, home. Sure stay off the highway, but had I done that I would have missed so much south of Seqouia NP, and wouldn’t have the IBA cert’s saying I crossed the country in 46 hours. HA. Also, crossing the country in 2 days is an amazing experience, a pretty intense stimulation of your senses, and you meet nice people at the gas stops, and Sergovia Truck Stop, along the way. When I encountered a thunderstorm that combined wiht a sand storm just East of exit 322 in Arizona on I-10, I hopped off the highway and as luck would ahve it, landed at the DQ and road Sdie attraction, The Thing. It was something I heard about, and wanted to stop at, but as I was on a timed distance ride (IBA50CC) I didn’t put it in the ride plan. Karma came knocking, and I got to stop there anywy, to avoid being struck by lightning. About 10 miles later, traffic stopped due to a rollover and a helicopter parked on I-10 a mile ahead (according to the trucker with the CB),so I jumped off the highway and rode on dirt roads to get around the crash scene. Sometimes your best adventure comes when you least expect it, this time while on I-10.
I camped in the National Parks and Natinal Monuments, stayed in hotel when not in NP’s. I was 49 at the time of this ride (55 now) and planning a ride to Alaska and back. I’m 6’4, 220#, and agree, a bigger bike isn’t always better. My buddy on the Valkyrie dropped his bike twice on the ride and my other pal on his Kawi dresser dropped his once. Neither of which took the dirt road short cut (Bumblebee Road) on the way from Ely Nevada to Zion NP I took on the VStrom. There are over 3 million miles of road out there, ride ’em for a full two weeks vacation, and then rest again when back sitting at the office.
Oh, and the ride through Zec Dumoine Ontario is something anyone who rides an ADV bike should consider. Awesome.
Ride safe folks.
Thanks for the input Peter and glad you like the site