Best Motorcycle Roads and Destinations in Arizona, USA

If you have traveled through a city, then you know how frustrating it can be to navigate a motorcycle down the narrow streets. It can be painfully slow having to wait for stoplights to turn green or for pedestrians to safely reach the sidewalk. You tend to spend most of the time keeping your motorcycle at rest, only covering a few hundred feet in short bursts of speed. With such tight surroundings, your ride does not have the freedom to maneuver as you would like. However, a place you would be able to enjoy the full experience of riding a motorcycle is in Arizona.

With its long open highways, Arizona is an ideal setting for a rider looking to spend some quality time with his or her bike. The stretches of asphalt give you plenty of distance for you to ride your motorcycle at high speeds. If you are lucky, the lanes might be empty and you can have the roads all to yourself. Not to mention, Arizona is filled with plenty of attractions for you to visit. With no shortage of historical sites, natural landmarks, and famous routes, there are plenty of opportunities for you to make lasting memories with your motorcycle.

This article is intended for any motorcyclist who is planning to take an extended tour across Arizona. If you are an out-of-state tourist, you will need to familiarize yourself with motorcycle laws specific to Arizona to avoid running into any trouble with local law enforcement. You may also need to figure out which motorcycle luggage is best for transporting your belongings for the duration of the trip. Finally, make the most out of your time in Arizona by knowing what locations you would like to stop by. 

Do not assume that motorcycle laws are exactly alike throughout the United States. Depending on the state you are in, there are certain motorcycle riding behaviors that are deemed legal or illegal.

Depending on your age, your passenger’s age, and years of experience, you may have to adjust your style of riding to suit the guidelines set in Arizona. 

Motorcyclists that are below the age of 18 are required by law to wear a helmet. Your helmet has to be approved by the Department of Transportation. You also have to put on eye protection using either goggles, glasses, a face shield, or a helmet visor. 

At a minimum, your motorcycle has to be outfitted with headlights, tail lights, brake lights, rearview mirrors, a horn, handlebars, and brakes.

In Arizona, you are required to have at least one of the following features: the headlight, the tail light, the brake light, and the rearview mirror. You can install a second one for each of the mentioned features if you wish to improve your motorcycle’s performance, but it is not mandatory.

Your horn has to be able to emit sound from a minimum distance of 200 feet. When you hold onto the handlebars, your hands should be about shoulder height. You can either choose hand or feet brakes, but you are only required to have one of them functioning. 

Lane splitting or white lining is illegal in Arizona.

You cannot ride on top of the dividing lines that mark the boundaries of the highway lanes during light or heavy traffic. Even if there are slow-moving or stopped vehicles, you cannot attempt this.

You are not allowed to pass other vehicles in front of you that are in the same lane or move between vehicles that are side by side in adjacent lanes.

You can ride side by side in a staggered formation with another motorcycle if it is sharing the same lane as you. 

If you would like to take a passenger on your trip, you must have a passenger seat, footholds, and seat handrails installed that function just as well as your own.

The passenger seat can be positioned either behind you or on the side of your motorcycle. If you have a side seat, make sure it is still placed slightly behind you. Your motorcycle is only allowed to transport a maximum of two people.

Your passenger has to comply with the same helmet and eye protection laws as you do, especially if he or she is below the age of 18. 

While the best part about a motorcycle trip is the journey itself, a tour without a direction would just be a massive waste of fuel. Before you even head out for Arizona, take a moment to research popular spots that are motorcycle-friendly. This will save you from wasted ventures spent going to certain regions in Arizona that turn out to be inaccessible to motorcycles.

If you scan a map of Arizona, you may be able to discover the fastest ways to get from place to place. You might be surprised by how many miles you have to cover just to get to your destinations. Knowing how far and how long it takes to get to where you are heading will help you plan out each day of travel. You will know how long it will take to get to each attraction, store, food place, and rest stop along your route.

While you may not always be able to see every attraction you have on your list, you can be efficient with your time by knowing the extent of your motorcycle’s capabilities. Listed below is a list of possible sights you may want to go to while in Arizona: 

Distance : 659 miles

Time : 11 hours 21 minutes

Start : Grand Canyon Junction

End : Grand Canyon Junction

The infamous natural formation that gave Arizona its title: “The Grand Canyon State.” An expanse that eroded thanks to the Colorado River millions of years ago, it is a sight to behold due to the layers of exposed multicolored rock. During the sunset, the surface takes on a beautiful reddish tint. The Grand Canyon can be accessed from either the North Rim or South Rim. The North Rim has a road suited for motorcycles that cut through the woods. The South Rim has a full view of almost the entire canyon. 

Distance : 163 miles

Time : 2 hours 33 minutes

Start : Lupton

End : Flagstaff

Also known as the Mother Road, this route is encompassed by eight states including Arizona. The part of the road that is in Arizona stretches from Lupton to Flagstaff. Between Lupton and Holbrook, you can go by the Petrified Forest National Forest and the Painted Desert. Between Holbrook to Winslow, you can relax at the Standin’ on the Corner Park or dine at the renowned La Posada Hotel’s Martini Lounge. Between Winslow and Flagstaff, you can visit the ancient crash site of a meteorite, San Francisco Peaks, Oak Creek Canyon, and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. 

Distance : 24 miles

Time : 40 minutes

Start : Cave Creek

End : Bartlett Lake

An artificial lake formed by the Bartlett Dam near the Verde River, this location has a pristine view of the Superstition Mountains and the Sonoran Desert. If you want to spend some time off the road, you can have a picnic or fish. You could visit the Sears-Kay Ruins, getting to explore the remains of the homes that belonged to the Hohokam Native Americans. If you wish to meet a community of local motorcyclists, you could share stories at Cave Creek, a Wild West-style establishment.

Distance : 17 miles

Time : 31 minutes

Start : Apache Junction

End : Tortilla Flat

Named after the Apache Native Americans who resided in the Superstition Mountains. This road is a popular route to take for motorcyclists due to having a plethora of attractions along the way. These include Goldfield Ghost Town, Lost Dutchman State Park, Canyon Lake, Fish Creek Hill, Apache Lake, Theodore Roosevelt Lake, Tonto National Monument, and Tortilla Flat. You can walk the streets of the Goldfield Ghost Town or see what it was like to pan for gold near the Goldfield Mine. Just outside of the town, you can enjoy time being out on Canyon Lake. Park your motorcycle and rent out a boat for a few hours to do some fishing or just relax floating on the water. Lost Dutchman State Park has a legend of a lost gold mine, but now it is a good place to try hiking or camping.

Along the Apache Trail, you can arrive at a recreation of a small Wild West town after passing through the Superstition Mountains called Tortilla Flat. You can stride through the saloon, restaurant, and stores like you were a cowboy. You can also taste the town’s unique prickly pear gelato. The area is filled with hills, scrub lands, deserts, lakes, and mountains. 

Distance : 94 miles

Time : 2 hours 11 minutes

Start : Wickenburg

End : Jerome

Starting at Wickenburg or “The West's Most Western Town,” this town is a blend of modern and Old Western-style which provides an authentic Western atmosphere. You can spend time browsing at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum if you want a better grasp of Western history. Continuing the tradition of historical Western establishments, Prescott has the Sharlot Hall Museum. If you are legally old enough to drink and want to spend time at a saloon, try ordering at the Palace at Whiskey Row. In Jerome or “America’s Most Vertical City,” this quaint city rests on top of a mountain yet it is ideal for motorcyclists due to the easy access to hills and roads. It is a picturesque piece of civilization that is perfect for photographs if you feel inclined to take them. 

Distance : 185 miles

Time : 2 hours 59 minutes

Start : Pheonix

End : Tombstone

Also known as “The Town Too Tough to Die,” Tombstone has a long history steeped in the Old West such as the legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. You can take part in tours of the town or the mines via stagecoach. If you are looking for action, there are staged gun shows at the Gunfight Palace or you can practice firing a gun yourself at targets. 

Distance : 275 miles

Time : 4 hours 34 minutes

Start : Payson

End : Mogollon Rim

After navigating upwards through forest routes, you are rewarded with a beautiful view of the Colorado Plateau at the top of the rim. You also get an overview of the dense foliage of Ponderosa pine trees which the region is famous for. If you wish for a more open road, the Rim Road has rougher and more difficult terrain for you to ride your motorcycle on. If you are interested in hiking, you can trek on the Tonto Natural Bridge near Payson. 

Distance : 158 miles

Time : 4 hours 55 minutes

Start : Old Tucson

End : Old Tucson

Nicknamed the “Hollywood in the Desert,” Old Tucson was the filming site of many classic Western movies during the height of the country’s obsession with the Old West. Go by and you may recognize some of the sets and props used in your favorite cowboy flicks. You may even get to witness staged gunfights and saloon shows. Nearby the old town, you can take a stroll into the Pima Air & Space Museum where you can admire the different aircraft constructed throughout the United States’ history. 

Distance : 30 miles

Time : 46 minutes

Start : Sedona

End : Flagstaff

This route combines both leisure and adventure as it cuts through mountains, deserts, and forests. Due to how unpredictable the road can be, it provides a good challenge for motorcyclists looking to travel on more difficult terrain. Some attractions you can go visit are the Slide Rock State Park and the Grasshopper Swim Area. The Slide Rock State Park has a natural formation that creates a waterslide. The Grasshopper Swim Area has several open creeks where you are free to swim.

Distance : 121 miles

Time : 2 hours 52 minutes

Start : Wickenburg

End : Sedona

North of Wickenburg, this is a scenic road that allows you to admire the reddish rock formations and the rows of pine trees. This path does require some caution due to the frequency of the steep climbs and the sharp turns. Along the way, you may want to visit Prescott if their art festivals near this road are going on during the season you visit. 

Distance : 32 miles

Time : 35 minutes

Start : Florence Junction

End : Miami, AZ

A straight road that passes through four environmental areas that give you a view of the Sonoran Desert, the Superstition Mountains, and the Ponderosa Pine Forest. You could also visit the Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park named after mine owner, Colonel Boyce Thompson. Much of the greenery that the founder planted years ago can still be seen to this day. There are occasional events held in this park organized by the University of Arizona. 

Distance : 203 miles

Time : 4 hours 42 minutes

Start : Punkin Center

End : Punkin Center

This loop travels through the Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, Tonto National Forest, and Theodore Roosevelt Lake. Within the Tonto National Forest, there is the Tonto National Monument which houses the ruins of the Salado Native Americans who dwelt in homes built under and into the sides of cliffs. Theodore Roosevelt Lake is an artificial lake formed by the Roosevelt Dam near the Salt River. It is an ideal location to engage in camping or boating activities if you are interested. 

Distance : 50 miles

Time : 1 hour 20 minutes

Start : Kingman

End : Oatman

Located in the Black Mountains, it is a secluded road that eventually reconnects with Route 66. It is a very rugged road due to having few guardrails and being so far away from civilization. It does provide a challenge for motorcyclists due to the hairpin turns and the harsh weather conditions. If you are lucky, you might be able to see some donkeys grazing alongside the road. 

Distance : 60 miles

Time : 1 hour 10 minutes

Start : Bisbee

End : Bisbee

This loop takes you through Bisbee, a mining town where you can take tours of the mines and paranormal sites. If you are interested in some shopping, try out the market set up at Main Street. Bisbee is renowned for its shops and restaurants. The route going around passes by the abandoned Lavender Pit Mine and takes you through the grasslands and foothills at the bottom of the Huachuca Mountains. 

Distance : 226 miles

Time : 4 hours 25 minutes

Start : Sierra Vista

End : Sierra Vista

This loop climbs through the Chiricahua Mountains which are named after the Chiricahua Native Americans who used to call the region home. If you prefer a place of quiet contemplation, then you can admire the art galleries of the Chiricahua Desert Museum. There is also the Chiricahua National Monument which is a collection of natural stone spires that formed following a volcanic eruption at Turkey Creek millions of years ago.

Distance : 137 miles

Time : 3 hours 10 minutes

Start : Sierra Vista

End : Sierra Vista

This loop passes through the Santa Rita Mountains and the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. The Santa Rita Mountains was famous for being the last sighting of El Jefe, a jaguar that resides in Arizona. The Las Cienegas National Conservation Area is an environmental area located at the boundary between the Sonoran Desert and the Chihuahuan Desert.

Remember that Arizona is a big state and that traversing it is dependent on the state of your motorcycle. Depending on how confident you are in your motorcycle skills, you may only be able to go partway on some of the Arizona routes. If you challenge yourself to drive for hours on end, only stopping for the main attractions and to refuel, you may be able to cover the full length of certain Arizona roads. It may be intimidating to cruise along highways in a state you have never been to before, especially if you are still unused to the ways motorcyclists are supposed to behave in Arizona. As long as you are careful with your well-being and are aware of your motorcycle’s capabilities, you should be able to focus on enjoying your vacation without issue. Ultimately, which locations you go to and what activities you engage in while visiting Arizona are based on how you want to enjoy yourself. It is good to prepare before a statewide tour to make sure you are not taken by surprise but do not let it take away from the fun of being a motorcyclist exploring the state of Arizona.