Pennsylvania road guide
The best motorcycle roads in Pennsylvania
The best motorcycle roads in Pennsylvania wind through the forests of the northern tier and the Pennsylvania Wilds: US 6, the Bucktail Trail on PA 120, PA 44 past Cherry Springs and PA 555 through elk country. Add the Laurel Highlands, the old National Road and Lincoln Highway, the Delaware River at both ends of the state, and Lancaster's farm roads. Here are 13 classics, with the region, why each is worth it, what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 13
- Regions
- 4
- Best months
- Late Sep to Oct
- Check before you go
- 511PA
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a big state, and crossing it on back roads takes a full day. The most famous riding is up north, in the forests and river valleys of the Pennsylvania Wilds, where towns are small, traffic is light and services are far apart. The southwest has the Laurel Highlands and two historic cross-state roads. The southeast, near Philadelphia, trades big mountains for river roads, battlefields and Amish farm country.
Season matters as much as the road. The northern tier opens later and closes earlier than the southeast, and the fall color moves from north to south through October. Check 511PA for closures before a long day, and see the Pennsylvania riding overview for the state at a glance and the best time to ride in Pennsylvania for month-by-month timing.
The northern tier
The Pennsylvania Wilds and the northern tier
- 1. US 6, the Grand Army of the Republic HighwayWhy: Runs the width of the northern tier, and its best stretch crosses the Wilds through Kane, Smethport, Coudersport, Galeton and Wellsboro. Side trips: the Kinzua Bridge skywalk near Mount Jewett, and PA 660 to the rim of the Pine Creek Gorge at Leonard Harrison State Park. Watch for: Deer at dawn and dusk, logging trucks, and long gaps between gas stations. Best season: May to October, with color in early October.
- 2. PA 120, the Bucktail TrailWhy: From Lock Haven, PA 120 traces the West Branch of the Susquehanna upstream to Renovo, then follows Sinnemahoning Creek past Driftwood toward Emporium. One of the most remote river roads in the East, with steep forested hills on both sides and long, easy curves. Watch for: Elk and deer, rock on the road below the cuts, and almost no services between towns. Best season: May to October.
- 3. PA 44 past Cherry SpringsWhy: South of Coudersport, PA 44 runs across the high Potter County plateau past Cherry Springs State Park, a dark-sky park famous with stargazers, then drops toward the Pine Creek valley. High, smooth and empty. Watch for: Deer, no cell service in places, and cold air on the plateau even in summer. Best season: Late May to early October.
- 4. PA 555 through elk countryWhy: Follows the Bennett Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek through Benezette in Elk County, the heart of Pennsylvania's wild elk range, with the Elk Country Visitor Center up on Winslow Hill. River curves and a real chance of seeing elk from the bike. Watch for: Elk on or beside the road, and elk watchers parked on the shoulder during the fall rut. Never approach the animals. Best season: May to October.
- 5. PA 59 and the Allegheny ReservoirWhy: East of Warren, PA 59 passes the Kinzua Dam and runs through the Allegheny National Forest beside the Allegheny Reservoir, with views across the water. Pair it with US 6 for a long forest day. Watch for: Deer, sightseers stopping at overlooks, and long stretches with no services. Best season: May to October.
The northeast
The Delaware River and the Endless Mountains
- 6. US 209 through the Delaware Water GapWhy: Runs north from the Water Gap area through the national recreation area to Milford, close to the river and past waterfall trailheads like Dingmans Falls. Easy, wooded miles, and half of a loop with New Jersey's Old Mine Road across the river. Watch for: Deer, park enforcement, and cars turning into trailhead lots. Best season: May to October.
- 7. PA 487 to Ricketts GlenWhy: North of Benton, PA 487 climbs a steep, twisting grade to Ricketts Glen State Park and its waterfall trails, then rolls on into the Endless Mountains. Real elevation for this part of the state. Watch for: The grade in both directions, gravel at pull-offs and park visitors on busy weekends. Best season: May to October.
The southeast and south-central
River roads, farm country and the Lincoln Highway
- 8. PA 32, River Road in Bucks CountyWhy: Hugs the Delaware River and the Delaware Canal from Washington Crossing through New Hope to Upper Black Eddy, past stone houses, inns and river towns. Cross a bridge to New Jersey's NJ 29 and come back down the other bank for a two-state loop. Watch for: Stone walls at the edge of the lane, weekend crowds in New Hope, and closures when the river floods. Best season: April to June, September to November.
- 9. PA 340 through Lancaster CountyWhy: East of Lancaster through Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse, in the heart of Amish farm country, with covered bridges and farm stands on the side roads. Slow, gentle and beautiful. Watch for: Horse-drawn buggies, so pass wide and quiet and don't rev near them, plus tourist traffic and manure on the road. Best season: April to June, September to November.
- 10. Gettysburg National Military ParkWhy: The battlefield's park roads loop past monuments, fields and ridges around the town of Gettysburg. Ride the tour route slowly, then head into the Adams County orchard roads. Watch for: Tour buses, cars stopping anywhere, people on foot, and one-way park roads. Best season: April to June, September to November.
- 11. US 30, the Lincoln Highway west of ChambersburgWhy: The old coast-to-coast Lincoln Highway climbs a series of mountain ridges between Chambersburg and Bedford, with long grades, sweeping curves and big valley views, then continues west toward Ligonier. Watch for: Heavy trucks on the climbs, and fog and ice on the ridges in the cold months. Best season: April to November.
The southwest
The Laurel Highlands
- 12. PA 381 through Ohiopyle and Mill RunWhy: Winds through the Laurel Highlands past Ohiopyle State Park on the Youghiogheny River and Fallingwater at Mill Run, with forested hills and real curves between them. Watch for: Whitewater crowds and parking in Ohiopyle, summer tourist traffic, and wet leaves in fall. Best season: May to October.
- 13. US 40, the National Road in Fayette CountyWhy: The old National Road climbs east out of Uniontown over Chestnut Ridge, then runs past Fort Necessity National Battlefield and through Farmington toward the Maryland line. Historic, hilly, and a natural loop with PA 381. Watch for: Trucks on the climb, fog on the ridge, and turning traffic near the resorts. Best season: April to November.
Summary
Pennsylvania motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| US 6 across the Wilds | Northern tier | May to Oct |
| PA 120, Bucktail Trail | Pennsylvania Wilds | May to Oct |
| PA 44 past Cherry Springs | Pennsylvania Wilds | Late May to early Oct |
| PA 555, elk country | Pennsylvania Wilds | May to Oct |
| PA 59, Allegheny Reservoir | Northwest | May to Oct |
| US 209, Delaware Water Gap | Northeast | May to Oct |
| PA 487 to Ricketts Glen | Northeast | May to Oct |
| PA 32, River Road | Southeast | Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov |
| PA 340, Lancaster County | Southeast | Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov |
| Gettysburg park roads | South-central | Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov |
| US 30, Lincoln Highway | South-central to southwest | Apr to Nov |
| PA 381, Ohiopyle | Laurel Highlands | May to Oct |
| US 40, National Road | Laurel Highlands | Apr to Nov |
Make them count
Ride Pennsylvania's classic roads with Rippin'
The list from the app below shows the Pennsylvania roads riders have added so far. If yours isn't there, add it: ride it with Rippin' recording, open Segments and tap Create a Segment, then 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. More on segments and leaderboards and how roads get added.
A segment board is about who rides a road and who owns it, never a race. Rippin' doesn't reward speed on public roads, and with elk on PA 555, buggies on PA 340 and stone walls on River Road, the right pace is the one that leaves room.
Loops claim turf. Ride PA 381 south from Ohiopyle and come back on US 40 through Farmington, or cross the Delaware on River Road and return on NJ 29, and the land inside becomes your turf on the live map. Plan one with the loop builder and read how Turf Wars works.
Live from the app
Pennsylvania on Rippin' right now.
10 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in Pennsylvania on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
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No Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Most riders point to the northern tier: US 6 across the Pennsylvania Wilds, the Bucktail Trail on PA 120 and PA 44 past Cherry Springs. In the southwest, PA 381 through the Laurel Highlands is a favorite.
What are the best motorcycle rides near Philadelphia?
River Road (PA 32) along the Delaware in Bucks County, PA 340 through Lancaster County, and the back roads of Chester County. For a longer day, head north to US 209 in the Delaware Water Gap.
What are the best motorcycle rides near Pittsburgh?
The Laurel Highlands: PA 381 past Ohiopyle and Fallingwater, US 40 over Chestnut Ridge and US 30 toward Ligonier. Head north for the Allegheny National Forest and PA 59.
Where can you see elk on a motorcycle ride in Pennsylvania?
Around Benezette in Elk County, on PA 555 and the roads up to the Elk Country Visitor Center. Dawn and dusk are best. Keep your distance and expect crowds during the fall rut.
Are the Pennsylvania Wilds roads remote?
Yes. Gas stations are far apart, cell service drops out, and deer and elk are common. Fill up whenever you can and tell someone your route.
Can I add these Pennsylvania 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 a Pennsylvania classic on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride the Bucktail Trail or River Road with it recording, and add it. Your name stays on it.
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