Oklahoma road guide
The best motorcycle roads in Oklahoma
The best motorcycle roads in Oklahoma start in the southeast, where the Talimena Scenic Byway rides a forested ridge into Arkansas and US 259 climbs through the Kiamichi Mountains. Add Green Country river roads, the Arbuckles, the Wichita Mountains, three very different stretches of Route 66 and the mesas out at Black Mesa, and you get 12 roads worth the trip, each with its region, why it's worth it, what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 12
- Regions
- 4
- Signature ride
- Talimena Byway
- Check before you go
- ODOT road conditions
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's best roads sit at its edges. The southeast corner has real mountains, the Ouachitas and Kiamichis, with pine forest and long ridgeline curves. The northeast, Green Country, has rivers, lakes and wooded hills an hour from Tulsa. The southwest has the granite Wichita Mountains rising out of the prairie, and the far western Panhandle ends in mesa country that looks more like New Mexico. Route 66 ties the middle together.
Most of these are rural two-lanes with deer, cattle, farm equipment and long gaps between towns. Spring storms can turn a good day dangerous fast, so check the radar and ODOT's road conditions before you go, and read the best time to ride in Oklahoma first. For the overview of riding the state, start with Oklahoma motorcycle rides.
Kiamichi Country
Southeast Oklahoma: the Ouachitas and Kiamichis
- 1. Talimena National Scenic Byway (OK 1)Why: About 54 miles along the crest of Winding Stair and Rich Mountain from Talihina, Oklahoma, to Mena, Arkansas, where it becomes AR 88. Long climbs, sweeping curves and overlooks across the Ouachita National Forest. Watch for: Fog and low cloud on the ridge, deer, sightseers stopping at overlooks, ice in winter and no fuel between the ends. Fill up in Talihina or Mena. Best season: April to June, and late October to early November for fall color.
- 2. US 259 from Broken Bow to Big CedarWhy: North from Broken Bow and the Hochatown area through the Kiamichi Mountains to Big Cedar, where it meets the Talimena Byway. Steady curves through pine forest. Ride the two together for a full day. Watch for: Log trucks, deer, and heavy tourist traffic around Hochatown on weekends. Best season: Spring and fall.
- 3. US 271 through the Kiamichi ValleyWhy: Between Clayton and Talihina, US 271 follows the Kiamichi River valley between forested ridges. It's the easy way to link the Talimena to the rest of the southeast, and a pretty ride on its own. Watch for: Log trucks, deer at dusk and slow farm traffic. Best season: Spring and fall.
Green Country
Northeast Oklahoma: rivers, lakes and the first stretch of 66
- 4. OK 10 along the Illinois RiverWhy: North of Tahlequah, OK 10 follows the Illinois River through wooded hills and river bluffs. An easy day loop from Tulsa. Watch for: Float trip traffic, people walking the shoulder near the outfitters and shuttle buses hauling canoes in summer. Best season: Spring and fall, or midweek in summer.
- 5. OK 82 and the Lake Tenkiller countryWhy: South of Tahlequah, OK 82 rolls through the Cookson Hills past Lake Tenkiller, with lake views and steady curves. Pair it with OK 10 for a full Tahlequah loop. Watch for: Boat trailers and lake traffic on summer weekends, deer, and gravel at marina turnoffs. Best season: April to June and September to November.
- 6. Route 66, Kansas line to TulsaWhy: Some of the road's best history: the Sidewalk Highway, a nine-foot-wide original section between Miami and Afton, then Vinita, Claremore and the Blue Whale of Catoosa on the way into Tulsa. Watch for: Rough, narrow original pavement with broken edges, and turns where the old road jogs off the main highway. Take the Sidewalk Highway slowly or skip it on a heavy bike. Best season: April to June and September to October.
Central and southwest
Central and southwest Oklahoma: 66, the Arbuckles and the Wichitas
- 7. Route 66, Tulsa to Oklahoma CityWhy: Rolling two-lane through Sapulpa, Stroud and Chandler to Arcadia, home of the Round Barn and the giant soda bottle at POPS. Much of it is the old alignment, a world away from the turnpike. Watch for: Old concrete with seams and patches, small-town speed zones and summer heat. Best season: Spring and fall.
- 8. Route 66, Oklahoma City to the Texas lineWhy: West of El Reno the land opens up. Ride through Hydro, Weatherford and Clinton, home of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, then Elk City, Sayre and Erick to the Texas line. Watch for: Crosswinds, stretches where the old road runs beside I-40, and longer gaps between fuel at the far west end. Best season: April to June and September to October.
- 9. US 77 through the Arbuckle MountainsWhy: South of Davis, US 77 winds over the Arbuckles past Turner Falls Park, one of the few properly hilly stretches in south central Oklahoma and a much better ride than I-35. Watch for: Slow tourist traffic around the falls in summer, deer, and trucks on the grades. Best season: Spring and fall.
- 10. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (OK 49 and Mount Scott)Why: West of Lawton, OK 49 crosses the refuge past granite peaks and lakes, and a side road climbs Mount Scott to a view over the plains. Head north on OK 115 to the tiny town of Meers, known for a long-running burger stop, and loop back. Watch for: Free-roaming bison and longhorns on the road, tight turns on the Mount Scott road and weekend crowds. Best season: Spring and fall.
Northwest and the Panhandle
Western Oklahoma: red mesas and the end of the Panhandle
- 11. US 412 past the Gloss MountainsWhy: Near Fairview, red mesas capped with glittering selenite rise beside the highway at Gloss Mountain State Park. Stop and climb the short trail for the view. Watch for: Crosswinds, truck traffic and few services. Best season: Spring and fall.
- 12. OK 325 to Black MesaWhy: West of Boise City, OK 325 runs to Kenton and Black Mesa State Park, with mesas, canyons and juniper that look like New Mexico. The highest point in Oklahoma is a long hike up the mesa. Watch for: Very remote roads, cattle on unfenced stretches, no fuel and spotty cell service. Fill up in Boise City. Best season: May to October.
Summary
Oklahoma motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| Talimena Byway (OK 1) | Southeast | Apr to Jun, late Oct to early Nov |
| US 259, Broken Bow to Big Cedar | Southeast | Spring and fall |
| US 271, Kiamichi Valley | Southeast | Spring and fall |
| OK 10, Illinois River | Green Country | Spring and fall |
| OK 82, Lake Tenkiller | Green Country | Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov |
| Route 66, Kansas line to Tulsa | Northeast | Apr to Jun, Sep to Oct |
| Route 66, Tulsa to Oklahoma City | Central | Spring and fall |
| Route 66, OKC to Texas | West | Apr to Jun, Sep to Oct |
| US 77, Arbuckle Mountains | South central | Spring and fall |
| Wichita Mountains | Southwest | Spring and fall |
| US 412, Gloss Mountains | Northwest | Spring and fall |
| OK 325 to Black Mesa | Panhandle | May to Oct |
In the app
Add Oklahoma roads to Rippin'
Oklahoma's classic roads are mostly waiting for a rider to add them. Ride one 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 the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it. Read how roads get added and how segments and leaderboards work.
A segment board is about who owns the road and who rides it, not a race. Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads, and a bison standing in a blind corner in the Wichitas is a good reminder why.
Loops claim turf too. A Talihina to Big Cedar loop on the Talimena, US 259 and US 271 closes back on itself, and the land inside becomes yours on the live map. Here are the Oklahoma roads riders have already added.
Live from the app
Oklahoma on Rippin' right now.
3 upcoming events and 1 rider-added road in Oklahoma on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Oklahoma?
The Talimena National Scenic Byway (OK 1) from Talihina to Mena, Arkansas, is the favorite: about 54 miles of ridgeline curves and overlooks in the Ouachita National Forest.
Is the Talimena Scenic Drive good for motorcycles?
Yes. It's paved and full of sweepers and overlooks. Watch for fog, deer and sightseers, and fill up first, since there's no fuel on the ridge.
Where can you ride Route 66 in Oklahoma?
From the Kansas line near Quapaw through Miami, Tulsa and Oklahoma City to the Texas line past Erick. Much of it is the old road or a frontage road beside the interstate.
Are there curvy roads near Tulsa?
The best close ones are around Tahlequah: OK 10 along the Illinois River and OK 82 past Lake Tenkiller. The Talimena is a long day or an overnight from Tulsa.
Can you ride motorcycles in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge?
Yes. OK 49 crosses the refuge and a side road climbs Mount Scott. Bison and longhorns roam free, so ride slowly and never approach them.
Can I add Oklahoma roads 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 an Oklahoma classic on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride the Talimena or a stretch of Route 66 with it recording, and add the road.
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