BEST TEXAS MOTORCYCLE RIDES | TOP 10 LIST
The Best Roads Are Here
What Are The Top 10 Best Motorcycle Rides In Texas?
- Big Bend National Park (59 miles)
- Park Road 4 to Lake Travis (77 miles)
- Three Twisted Sisters (112 miles)
- Willow City Loop (21 miles)
- FM 170 - The River Road (115 miles)
- Kerrville to Bandera (37 miles)
- Highway 39 (35 miles)
- Hurstown to Newton (76 miles)
- Highway 149 (33 miles)
- FM 455 (45 miles)
Motorcycle Rides Near Me In Texas
Below is our detailed top 10 list of the best Texas motorcycle roads! Ride through open plains and natural wonders on these great motorcycle rides in the Lone Star State. As the second-largest state in the country, there's a lot to see while riding your motorcycle here. Check out these TX rides which feature National Parks, majestic waterfalls and fantastic scenic routes. Click on each Texas motorcycle map link for the direct Google Maps route. These are the best motorcycle routes in Texas!
Join Us On YouTube!
See what it's like to motorcycle these great TX roads! Check out our new video on the best Texas motorcycle roads for 2024 and join the 29K subscribers on YouTube!
Tips For Texas Motorcycle Rides
Looking for places to ride motorcycles in Texas? Due to the sheer size of the state, Texas has a wide range of climates. In summer, temperatures and humidity are very high on these roads. Mesh-style motorcycle jackets and pants can help provide maximum airflow, as well as various types of cooling vests. Thanks to the pleasant spring and autumn seasons, normal leathers will be comfortable to wear. And typical four-season riding gear is best for riding most of these Texas motorcycle routes in the winter.
Do I Need To Wear A Motorcycle Helmet In Texas?
As you discover these scenic motorcycle rides in Texas, keep in mind there is a partial helmet law here. Helmets are required for any rider under the age of 21. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Riders over the age of 21 may ride without a helmet if they are over 21, properly insured and meet an eligible helmet exemption. Read more at txdot.gov
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK
ROUTES: FM 170, Santa Elena Canyon Rd
DISTANCE: 59 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours
The Big Bend area is certainly spectacular riding, and this is one of the best motorcycle roads in Texas. From west to east, the ride itself is a nice ascent into the mountains. Start this route on FM 170 from Lajitas and follow to the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. It's an incredibly scenic ride, with mountains, valleys, hills and curves. The tail end of this route leads along the Rio Grande to the amazing Santa Elena Canyon Overlook. The Chisos Basin area of the park has some winding switchbacks and has monumental rock formations to ride through as well. Extend this route to the nearby Big Bend National Park entrance for a longer ride to make for the best motorcycle ride in Texas!
(Photos: neilpeart.net)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
PARK ROAD 4 TO LAKE TRAVIS
ROUTES: Park Rd 4, FM 1431, Lime Creek Rd
DISTANCE: 77 miles
TIME: 2 hours
What is the best motorcycle ride near me in Austin, TX? The route from Park Road 4 to Lime Creek Road is one of the best scenic motorcycle rides near Austin, Texas. Texas Park Road 4 starts out with some straight road with some nice hills, then a great big hill that drops with awesome views of the valley. Ride alongside Cavern State Park and Inks Lake State Park. The highway connects State Highway 29 to U.S. Route 281. Try this route in the spring during bluebonnet season for exceptional roadside beauty. From Marble Falls, connect to FM 1431 and head east. Much of this motorcycle ride in Texas carves around close to the Colorado River. There are some very technical curves and hairpin turns along the western side of this motorcycle route on Lime Creek Road, making it a fun challenge for more experienced motorcycle riders. Long portions of the Anderson Mill part of the ride have new pavement as of 2023, which makes for a huge improvement. Enjoy this exciting motorcycle ride with turn after turn, multiple hills, and great scenery.
(Photo: reddit / brigitteintexas)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
THREE TWISTED SISTERS
ROUTES: TX-41, 337, 335, 336
DISTANCE: 112 miles
TIME: 2.5 hours
Locals call this great motorcycle ride Texas' own 'Tail of the Dragon', and for good reason. These roads carve and twist among clear rivers, through the dense green hills of Central Texas. There's constant switchbacks for miles, sweeping curves looking out over some nice vistas and some nice downhill curves - all of which offers motorcyclists an extremely technical, fun ride to navigate. Most motorcyclists agree that spring time is the best season to ride here as far as the scenery. The flowers are in bloom everywhere and the colors are terrific.
There was some recent construction that blocked some of this loop, but the work has been completed and is ready to enjoy for the 2023 motorcycle riding season. Enjoy this roller coaster road through some of the best scenery in Texas!
(Photos: T. Bradsaw / ridetexas.com)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
WILLOW CITY LOOP
ROUTES: Willow City Loop, Hwy 16
DISTANCE: 21 miles
TIME: 40 mins
A few miles outside of Fredericksburg in Central Texas is the 21 mile Willow City Loop. Known for its spectacular wildlife scenery, Willow City Loop in is a beautiful journey through the open range. Take this ride for a unique combination of small, rural back road with incredible scenery, with few cross roads or intersections. Weekend traffic on this loop can be heavy with sightseers, so early mornings or weekdays will be a better ride on this TX motorcycle road through the rugged, awe inspiring Texas Hill Country.
(Photos: R. Von Liski / bikerintexas)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
FM 170 - THE RIVER ROAD
ROUTE: FM 170
DISTANCE: 115 miles
TIME: 3 hours
Starting in the tiny far western community of Candelaria is Farm Road 170, a highway which offers adventurous motorcyclists the opportunity to travel along the western Texas border. 170 is also known to locals as "The River Road," because part of it skirts along the U.S. side of the Rio Grande River. Ride along this Texas motorcycle road through ghost towns and the mountainous Big Bend Ranch State Park with steep inclines and sharp turns. In fact, in some spots, there are rollercoaster-like elevation changes while the Rio Grande is often visible from the roadside. This route can be extended by continuing onto Santa Elena Canyon Road past the western portion of Big Bend National Park.
(Photos: solsalute.com)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
KERRVILLE TO BANDERA
ROUTE: TX-16
DISTANCE: 37 miles
TIME: 1 hour
Just east of the above mentioned 'Twisted Sister' route, is this scenic beautiful Texas back road. Start this awesome TX motorcycle ride from Kerrville on Route 16, past Medina to Bandera, TX. A few reasons to ride with cautious vigilance here - be watchful for deer, especially if you happen to be riding in the early morning or late evening hours. And due to the number of turns, gravel can surprise you in certain spots due to cars running off the road edge. That being said, there's beautiful scenery in the spring and fall. Ride along with lots of great twists, tight turns, sweeping curves, beautiful scenery and several river crossings. Locals will tell you it's better to ride this from north to south, but this ride is so much fun you'll want to turn around and ride it again!
(Photo: wikipedia)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
HIGHWAY 39
ROUTE: TX-39
DISTANCE: 35 miles
TIME: 45 mins
For another fantastic ride, check out TX-39. This route is very close to the above mentioned Route 16. This is a great road among northwest San Antonio's beautiful country. There's a fair amount of twists and turns. It's a curvy and fun ride and not overly technical. Riding here will offer beautiful views of the Guadalupe River. For an even longer ride, turn south in the middle of this route on 187 toward Vanderpool, and check out the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum. If riding after a rainstorm, watch for water crossings at the low areas.
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
HURSTOWN TO NEWTON
ROUTE: TX-87
DISTANCE: 76 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours
The Texas State Highway 87 is considered one of the best motorcycle roads in eastern Texas. This north/south route in eastern Texas is a great ride along the Louisiana state line with a lot of hills and curves and some long straight-aways to really open up on. Optionally, take a loop route across the state line into South Toledo Bend State Park and up LA-191.
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
HIGHWAY 149
ROUTE: FM 149
DISTANCE: 33 miles
TIME: 40 mins
Arguably the best little stretch of riding in the whole Houston area is this great motorcycle road. Texas Hwy 149 winds through the southernmost edge of the Sam Houston National Forest, which is known for its tall, majestic pine trees. There's some big, sweeping curves with a few sharp curves thrown in for good measure. But overall, this is a fun and relatively easy ride on quiet country roads that will suit any riding style.
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
FM 455
ROUTE: Farm Road 455
DISTANCE: 45 miles
TIME: 1 hour
About 50 miles north of Dallas, FM 455 is a motorcycle road that passes through old town and bridges with creeks, eventually leading out to vast, open fields. There's a few straight-a-ways along with a nice amount of twisty curves. Part of the route is on the shoreline of Ray Roberts Lake. This is a fun little stretch of roadway where you can really open up your throttle on. If you're heading down to McKinney, Weston Rd is a nice variation on the western part of the route. Route 543 makes for a beautiful section of road. While there's not a huge amount of twisting turns on FM 455, it's the type of road that has something for every type of motorcycle rider. If you're looking to find the best motorcycle ride near me in Dallas, don't miss Texas Farm Road 455 from Sanger to Anna, TX!
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
Any bloggers or website articles that would like to reference these routes, please feel free. We only ask that you link to this page as the reference.
Thank you!
- GreatMotorcycleRoads.com
Overview of Motorcycle Map Routes
For an overview of where each of these routes are in the state of Texas, click here for Google My Maps
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Texas a good place for motorcycles?
The Lone Star State offers motorcyclists the chance to ride among some of America's most beautiful and diverse landscapes. There's thousands of miles to ride among a wide range of elevation changes and awesome national parks. It's also a great state to ride in the winter months as the states climate is relatively mild compared to more northern states in America
Where Can I Find Motorcycle Events?
Visit our friends at BikeWeekEvents.com to find local TX Motorcycle Rallies and all scheduled bike shows happening in Texas!
Where are the Twisted Sisters?
Three Hill Country Ranch Roads, 335, 336 and 337, in central Texas make up the popular motorcycle route known as the Twisted Sisters. Motorcyclists from all over the country come to experience this great motorcycle ride.
Is Austin a good place to ride a motorcycle?
Trendy cities like Austin makes Texas a great state to ride in. The back roads that run through Texas Hill Country feature countless twisties and switchbacks, making them ideal riding for motorcyclists. Our TX motorcycle route from Marble Falls to Tom Hughes Park is one of the best rides in the state.
Find this website helpful?
DONATE
Help us spread the word about GreatMotorcycleRoads.com! We'll be uploading more routes and helpful information for fellow motorcycle riders. We appreciate any help!
Find Motorcycle Rides Around Texas
GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is the best place to find motorcycle roads and rides around Texas. Discover more great motorcycle roads in states near Texas with our route descriptions and Google Maps links!
Motorcycle Rides Near Me
Please note: Any routes and recommendations are based solely on our opinions and are meant for informational purposes only. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is not responsible for the information contained in these pages. We assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. You are responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety.