Last Updated on: 16th August 2023, 08:50 am
Washington State is known for its beautiful mountains, dramatic landscapes, and incredible wildlife. Home to national parks such as Olympic and Mount Rainier, it is no secret that the state is best explored on the back of a motorcycle. Motorcycle riders from all over the world flock to The Evergreen State to take a motorcycle ride through the roads of this beautiful state.
If you are planning a motorcycle trip, then you should consider heading to Washington. Here are just a few of the best motorcycle rides in Washington.
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Strait of Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway | One of the Best Short Motorcycle Rides in Washington With Waterfront Views
Running along the Olympic Peninsula coast highway (WA-112), the Strait of Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway is easily one of the best Washington motorcycle roads. This one-way, 70-mile ride starts in Port Angeles and heads west to Neah Bay and takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes to ride without stopping. You will start in the seaside town of Port Angeles, where you can check out the Olympic National Park Visitor Center to get any information you may need about road closures or weather patterns.
After you leave Port Angeles, you will head west on Highway 101 before turning off toward Neah Bay to follow the Strait of Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway. Throughout this route, you will ride along winding roads with stunning waterfront views. On a clear day, you may even be able to see Canada, as it is only 14 miles across the water. Keep an eye out for the Elwha River Bridge, which stretches across the Elwha River and provides stunning views of the canyon below. You may also want to stop at Shipwreck Point Beach, which is a beautiful open beach known for its whale and bird-watching opportunities.
Highway 101 Loop | One of the Best Motorcycle Rides in Washington State If You Have a Few Days to Spare
The Highway 101 Loop, also known as the Olympic Peninsula Loop, is easily one of the best scenic motorcycle rides in the Pacific Northwest. This ride covers over 360 miles and takes two to three days to complete. The Highway 101 Loop treats you to a little bit of everything. During this ride, you will drive through mountains, beaches, and forests. You can begin this trip anywhere around the loop, but one of the best places to begin is the Hood Canal. The Hood Canal is located in Olympic National Park and has many beautiful beaches to explore.
From the Hood Canal, you will ride north on Highway 101 and pass through Port Hadlock and Sequim. If you are lucky enough to take this ride in the summertime, then you may want to check out the Sequim Lavender Festival. You will also want to stop and take a look at the beautiful Hoh Rainforest, which has miles and miles of incredible scenery to admire. If you want to take a quick detour, then head up Hurricane Ridge Road. Once you make it to the end of this road, you will have an incredible view of the Olympic Mountains.
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Cascade Loop | 400-Mile Washington Motorcycle Ride Through Waterfalls, Vineyards, and Forests
Cascade Loop provides you with some of the best motorcycle roads in Washington. This 444 mile loop takes you through miles and miles of lush green forests, charming little towns, and beautiful vineyards. The Cascade Loop takes at least 2 days to complete, but you’ll likely want to spend a little more time exploring all of the amazing attractions the route has to offer. This ride starts along Interstate 5 North in Seattle and then heads east toward Wenatchee. You’ll pass through the beautiful cities of Leavenworth, Chelan, Winthrop, and Coupeville.
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Aside from a few small backroads, you will mostly be on the freeway for this ride. Some of the most iconic things to do on the Cascade Loop include visiting Liberty Bell Mountain, Wallace Falls State Park, and Stevens Pass Ski Area. You may also want to stop in the cute railroad town of Skykomish to grab a bite to eat and take a ride on the miniature train. You will want to schedule your Cascade Loop trip between June and October, as the section of the loop through the North Cascades Highway is closed during the winter months.
Yakama River Canyon Scenic Byway | Short Washington State Motorcycle Ride With Twisty Roads
If you are searching for day motorcycle rides in Washington state, then look no further than the Yakama River Canyon Scenic Byway. This 36 mile ride starts in Ellensburg and ends in Selah. You will want to begin at the Canyon Road exit off of I-90 in Ellensburg and then head south toward Selah. This route follows the Yakima River and is a great ride for motorists who want to slow down and take in the scenery. Be careful on this route, as there are many twisty and curvy roads to navigate.
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This ride is beautiful any time of year, but it is especially beautiful in the fall as the leaves are changing color. There are many pull outs along the road for you to stop and take in the incredible views. This area is also great for birdwatching and is home to many eagles, falcons, and hawks. There are many places along the route where you can stop to fish, hike, or camp. After your ride, you may want to check out the popular Ellensburg Canyon Winery, which offers some of the best views of the canyon.
Mount Rainier | One of the Best Motorcycle Rides in the Pacific Northwest
Mount Rainier is one of the best motorcycle rides in Washington for mountain lovers. This is also a great option for those who are looking for day motorcycle rides in Washington state. This ride is just over 200 miles long and can be completed in one day. You will want to begin this ride in Enumclaw and head toward the Stevens Canyon entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. If you want to spend a few hours in Enumclaw before your journey, then you can check out the Thunder Dome Car Museum or The Rainier Bar & Grill.
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During this ride, you will pass by the Ohanapecosh River and up Stevens Canyon Road. This route has a lot of twists and turns, so make sure you stay aware during your ride. There are many places for you to stop and admire the scenery along the way. If you feel like hiking, you can check out trails such as Pinnacle Peak, The Lakes, and High Lakes. You will also want to check out Reflection Lake, which, on a clear day, shows the image of the mountains reflected in the water. Once you get closer to Ohanapecosh, you will pass by the Grove of the Patriarchs. This is a short 1.1 mile loop featuring a suspension bridge and boardwalk that goes through a forest of giant 300-foot tall sequoia trees.
Highway 14 | Amazing Washington Motorcycle Ride Through Deserts and Forests
Highway 14 is easily one of the best motorcycle roads in Washington and one that everyone with a Washington motorcycle license can recommend. This trip is 120 miles one way. If you are only taking a one way trip, it can take you less than a day, while a round trip could take you two to three days to complete. This route starts in Vancouver, Washington, and follows Highway 14 east to Goldendale.
You will travel through both forests and deserts as you travel along this scenic route. The ride is fairly smooth and straight as you are traveling along a popular highway. During this trip, you may want to stop at the edge of the Columbia River to hike to Beacon Rock. A quick hike (1.8 miles roundtrip) will take you to Beacon Rock, which is a 600-foot-tall core of an ancient volcano. At the top, you can look over the rest of Beacon Rock State Park. You may even get lucky and see a few rock climbers scaling the volcano!
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Leavenworth Day Ride | One of the Best Motorcycle Rides in Washington State With Caves, Mountains, and Quiet Towns
If the Cascade Loop is too long for you, then you should consider the Leavenworth Day Ride. This 290 mile Washington state motorcycle ride starts in Seattle and hits some of the same stops on the Cascade Loop, but is much shorter and can be done in one day. Once you make it to Leavenworth, you will return back via I-90 and back into the Seattle area.
There are many incredible attractions to take in along this ride. Toward the beginning of the trip, you will pass Snoqualmie Falls, where you can stop for a picnic while admiring the beautiful scenery. You will then ride through the Cascade mountain range, where the twisty roads are sure to get your adrenaline pumping. Once you make it to Leavenworth, which is remodeled after a 19th-century Bavarian village, you can walk down the street and enjoy shopping and traditional German food. On the way home, you may want to make a stop in the town of North Bend. This quaint town was the filming location of the popular television show ‘Twin Peaks.’
Any one of these Washington motorcycle rides is sure to be a wonderful time. Federal Motorcycle Transport is the #1 Washington motorcycle shipping company and can help you with any and all of your bike transportation needs. When you use our services, you can enjoy your Washington State motorcycle ride without worrying about how your bike will get to and from The Evergreen State. If you aren’t up for a cross-country ride or don’t want to put the miles on your bike, then we are here to help!
Our Washington motorcycle shipping company will ship your bike to a location near your destination or to one of our warehouse locations across the state. We have a warehouse in Tacoma, WA that you can feel free to use at any time. All you have to do is pick up your motorcycle whenever you are ready and then get riding! Contact us today to get a free motorcycle transport quote from the experts at Federal Motorcycle Transport.
