Louisiana road guide
The best motorcycle roads in Louisiana
The best motorcycle roads in Louisiana run beside water: the Creole Nature Trail through the coastal marsh, River Road along the Mississippi levee, the Bayou Teche Byway through Cajun country and LA 1 to Grand Isle. For hills and curves, head north of Baton Rouge to LA 66 in the Tunica Hills, or to the Longleaf Trail in Kisatchie National Forest. Here are 13 classics with why each is worth it, what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 13
- Regions
- 4
- Highest point
- Driskill Mountain, 535 ft
- Check before you go
- 511 Louisiana
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in Louisiana
Louisiana's highest point, Driskill Mountain, is only 535 feet. Most of the riding is flat, often narrow and right next to water, and the best roads are the ones with the most to see and eat along the way. The surface, the wind and the weather matter here more than the corners.
Water also closes roads. Storms flood low highways, high tides cover parts of the coastal routes, and hurricanes have closed roads to Grand Isle and Cameron for long stretches. Check 511 Louisiana before a coast trip, and see the best time to ride a motorcycle in Louisiana for the season by region. The Louisiana motorcycle rides hub has the overview.
Southwest Louisiana and Acadiana
Marsh and Cajun country roads
- 1. Creole Nature Trail (LA 27)Why: An All-American Road that leaves I-10 at Sulphur and heads south through Sabine National Wildlife Refuge to the Gulf at Holly Beach. Alligators in the canals, wading birds everywhere and huge sky. Watch for: Strong crosswinds, water over the road after storms, and alligators on the shoulder. Best season: October to April.
- 2. LA 82, Cameron to Pecan IslandWhy: Cross the ship channel on the Cameron ferry, then follow LA 82 east along the coast through Creole and Grand Chenier, past Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, to Pecan Island. One of the emptiest roads in the South. Watch for: Long gaps between fuel, crosswinds, ferry waits and storm damage. Best season: October to April.
- 3. Bayou Teche BywayWhy: Follow Bayou Teche through Breaux Bridge and St. Martinville, home of the Evangeline Oak, to New Iberia and its Shadows-on-the-Teche house. Live oaks, Cajun food every few miles and a slow, easy pace. Watch for: Narrow lanes in town, slow local traffic and crawfish trucks. Best season: October to May.
- 4. Avery Island (LA 329)Why: A short ride south of New Iberia onto a salt dome island, home of the Tabasco factory and Jungle Gardens, with moss-draped oaks and egrets. Watch for: The entry fee at the gate, low limits and tour traffic. Best season: October to May.
River parishes and the Felicianas
River Road and the Tunica Hills
- 5. River Road, west bank (LA 18)Why: Along the Mississippi levee past Oak Alley, Laura and Whitney plantations in Vacherie and Wallace. Flat, but every mile carries history. Cross back on the Sunshine Bridge near Donaldsonville or the bridge at Luling. Watch for: Heavy truck traffic around the riverside plants, debris and tight curves following the levee. Best season: October to April.
- 6. River Road, east bank (LA 44)Why: The other side of the river, past San Francisco Plantation at Garyville and on toward Houmas House near Darrow. Ride one bank up and the other back. Watch for: Plant traffic at shift change, rail crossings and rough patches. Best season: October to April.
- 7. LA 66 to AngolaWhy: North of St. Francisville, LA 66 climbs and twists through the Tunica Hills, some of the best curves in the state, and ends at the gates of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Pair it with St. Francisville's historic homes on US 61. Watch for: Deer, blind hills, no services and event traffic on Angola rodeo days. Best season: October to May.
Southeast Louisiana
Grand Isle, the Causeway and Manchac
- 8. LA 1 to Grand IsleWhy: South along Bayou Lafourche through fishing towns to Port Fourchon and over the bridge to Grand Isle, the only inhabited barrier island in the state. Part of the route is a tolled elevated highway at Leeville. Watch for: Crosswinds, water on the road at high tide, and storm damage. Grand Isle was hit hard by Hurricane Ida in 2021. Best season: October to May.
- 9. Lake Pontchartrain CausewayWhy: About 24 miles of bridge over open water between Mandeville and Metairie, often listed as the longest continuous bridge over water in the world. Out of sight of land in the middle. Watch for: Crosswinds, narrow shoulders, sudden storms and the toll. Best season: Calm days, October to May.
- 10. US 51 through Manchac SwampWhy: The old highway between LaPlace and Ponchatoula crosses Pass Manchac through cypress swamp, with I-55 towering overhead. Stop for fried catfish at Manchac. Watch for: Narrow pavement, fishermen parked on the shoulder and fog on winter mornings. Best season: October to May.
Central and north Louisiana
Kisatchie, Cane River and Toledo Bend
- 11. Longleaf Trail Scenic BywayWhy: A paved forest road through the Kisatchie Hills of Kisatchie National Forest south of Natchitoches, past sandstone outcrops and longleaf pine overlooks. Real elevation change by Louisiana standards. Watch for: Pine straw in the corners, timber trucks, deer and no services. Best season: October to May.
- 12. Cane River (LA 119)Why: South of Natchitoches, the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, past Creole plantations and the Cane River Creole National Historical Park. Quiet, shaded and slow. Watch for: Narrow pavement and farm equipment. Best season: October to May.
- 13. Toledo Bend (LA 191)Why: North and south along the east side of Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Texas line, through piney woods with lake views and fish camps. Watch for: Deer, boat trailers on weekends and sparse fuel. Best season: October to May.
Summary
Louisiana motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| Creole Nature Trail (LA 27) | Southwest | Oct to Apr |
| LA 82, Cameron to Pecan Island | Southwest coast | Oct to Apr |
| Bayou Teche Byway | Acadiana | Oct to May |
| Avery Island (LA 329) | Acadiana | Oct to May |
| River Road, west bank (LA 18) | River parishes | Oct to Apr |
| River Road, east bank (LA 44) | River parishes | Oct to Apr |
| LA 66 to Angola | Felicianas | Oct to May |
| LA 1 to Grand Isle | Southeast coast | Oct to May |
| Lake Pontchartrain Causeway | Southeast | Calm days, Oct to May |
| US 51 through Manchac | Southeast | Oct to May |
| Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway | Central | Oct to May |
| Cane River (LA 119) | Central | Oct to May |
| Toledo Bend (LA 191) | West | Oct to May |
Seasons are general patterns, not a forecast. Check the weather and 511 Louisiana before you ride.
In the app
Put Louisiana's roads on the Rippin' map
Louisiana is early in Rippin', so there's plenty of room to add roads. If one of these isn't in the app yet, ride it with Rippin' recording, then open Segments and tap Create a Segment: drop a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on our team checks it, it goes live with your name on it, and every rider who rides through it after that lands on its board. Read how roads get added.
Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads. A board is about who owns the road and who rides it. Ride River Road up one bank and back down the other and the loop closes, so the land inside becomes your turf. A run through Cajun country is also made for poker runs, since every boudin stop could be a card. Below is what's on the Louisiana map in the app right now.
Live from the app
Louisiana on Rippin' right now.
10 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in Louisiana on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
- Sat Nov 7AMCA Deep South Chapter 76 Swap Meet & Vintage Bike ShowSlidell
- Sat Nov 7Hogs for HeroesSlidell
- Sat Nov 14Vintage Motorcycle ShowBossier City
- Sat Nov 14HOGs for DogsSlidell
- Sat Nov 14Flying Tiger Motorcycle Give-a-wayScott
- Sat Nov 145th Annual Toy RunRuston
- Sat Nov 21Ride into the HolidaysSlidell
- Sat Nov 216th Annual Toy RunMonroe
- Sat Nov 28Mike Bruno's Northshore Harley Family Fun DaySlidell
- Sat Jan 216th Annual Polar Bear Ride - 2027Monroe
No Louisiana roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Louisiana?
The Creole Nature Trail through the coastal marsh is the signature ride. For curves, LA 66 through the Tunica Hills to Angola is the pick.
Are there any curvy roads in Louisiana?
Yes, a few. LA 66 north of St. Francisville and the Longleaf Trail in Kisatchie National Forest have real hills and corners.
What are the best motorcycle rides near New Orleans?
River Road on either bank, US 51 through Manchac Swamp, the Causeway on a calm day and LA 1 to Grand Isle for a full day.
Can you ride a motorcycle across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway?
Yes. It's about 24 miles of bridge with a toll. Pick a calm day, since crosswinds and storms over the lake can be strong.
Is the road to Grand Isle safe on a motorcycle?
On a calm, dry day, yes. Watch for crosswinds, water on the road at high tide and storm damage, and check 511 Louisiana first.
Can I add a Louisiana road to Rippin'?
Yes. Any rider can add a road with Create a Segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it.
Put a Louisiana road on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride one of these roads with it recording and add it. Your name stays on it.
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