The United States is the promised land of motorcycle travel: wide, well-maintained roads, distances measured in days in the saddle, and routes that have become legendary, from Route 66 to the Pacific Coast Highway. You ride from motel to motel, through landscapes that change from one state to the next, from the Mojave Desert to the forests of the Appalachians.
On CoolDrive Rider, you rent your motorcycle from EagleRider, present in 38 cities: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Phoenix, Denver, Chicago, Nashville, Orlando, Miami and many more. Harley-Davidson, BMW, Indian or trike: you choose the machine, then the road trip that goes with it.
Our rental partner in the United States
The best itineraries in the United States
1 Route 66, from Chicago to Los Angeles
- Chicago
- St. Louis
- Tulsa
- Amarillo
- Santa Fe
- Albuquerque
- Flagstaff
- Kingman
- Los Angeles
The country's most famous route links Lake Michigan to the Pacific across eight states. After the plains of Illinois and Missouri, the road heads to Oklahoma and Texas, then enters the Southwest via Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
Arizona has the longest stretch still in use, between Kingman and Seligman, before the descent to the Mojave Desert and Santa Monica. EagleRider has locations in Chicago, Albuquerque, Las Vegas and Los Angeles: a one-way rental is the natural choice.
- Distance
- about 4,000 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Big tourer (Road Glide, Electra Glide) for the long days
2 The big western parks from Las Vegas
- Las Vegas
- Zion
- Bryce Canyon
- Page
- Monument Valley
- Grand Canyon
- Las Vegas
A loop that packs in the American West: Zion and the Mount Carmel road, Bryce Canyon along Scenic Byway 12, Page and Lake Powell, Monument Valley, then the Grand Canyon South Rim before returning via Route 66 and the Hoover Dam.
Las Vegas is the best starting point; Phoenix and Salt Lake City also work. Book nights near the parks well ahead in spring and autumn.
- Distance
- about 2,200 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Tourer or BMW GS adventure bike
3 The Pacific coast, from San Francisco to San Diego
- San Francisco
- Monterey
- Big Sur
- San Luis Obispo
- Santa Barbara
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
Highway 1 runs along the Big Sur coast between cliffs and ocean, one of the most beautiful ribbons of asphalt in the world. After Monterey and Carmel, the road crosses the Santa Barbara wine region, then Malibu and Los Angeles before reaching San Diego.
The Big Sur section is sometimes closed after landslides: check the road status before you set off. A one-way rental between San Francisco and Los Angeles or San Diego is often possible.
- Distance
- about 1,000 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Tourer or roadster, depending on your pace
4 Blue Ridge Parkway and the Smoky Mountains
- Nashville
- Chattanooga
- Deals Gap
- Great Smoky Mountains
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Asheville
- Atlanta
In the East, the Blue Ridge Parkway winds along the crest of the Appalachians, with no traffic lights or trucks, all the way to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Right next to it, the Tail of the Dragon, at Deals Gap, strings together its famous bends beloved of motorcyclists.
Nashville, Atlanta and Washington are the most convenient starting points. Autumn, when the forests change colour, is the prime season, but also the busiest.
- Distance
- about 2,000 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Tourer or an agile roadster for the bends
5 Florida, from the Keys to Daytona
- Miami
- Key Largo
- Key West
- Everglades
- Naples
- Orlando
- Daytona
From Miami, the Overseas Highway hops from island to island on its bridges all the way to Key West. On the way back, the Tamiami Trail crosses the Everglades towards the Gulf coast, before heading north to Orlando and then Daytona, the American capital of motorcycling.
Avoid summer, which is hot, stormy and right in hurricane season; winter and spring are ideal, especially during Daytona Bike Week in March.
- Distance
- about 1,300 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Cruiser or tourer, flat and straight roads
When to go in the United States?
April, May and October, the best season in the West
April, May and October are ideal in the West: in Las Vegas, an average high of 27 °C in April and 28 °C in October; in Los Angeles, 24 to 25 °C in April-May and 28 °C in October, with almost no rain. June and September suit the northern regions and the Pacific coast well.
Summer, the season for the North and the mountains
In July, Las Vegas reaches an average high of 41 °C and Phoenix the same: the deserts become punishing. It is, however, the best time for the Rockies, Montana or South Dakota, with 30 °C in Missoula and Rapid City, and for the Pacific coast.
Winter, Florida and the Southwest
From December to February, the North and the Rockies are cold and snowy: a high of 5 °C in Denver in January, 0 °C in Chicago. The road trip moves south: Miami stays at 24 to 25 °C, Phoenix at 18 to 21 °C, and the California desert becomes pleasant.
Where to pick up your motorbike in the United States?
Choose your departure city: the map shows where rental companies hand over their motorbikes.
Renting in the United States, step by step
-
1
Choose your route and your starting city
The West and its parks from Las Vegas, Los Angeles or Phoenix; Route 66 from Chicago; the Appalachians from Nashville or Atlanta; Florida from Miami or Orlando. With 38 cities, a one-way rental opens up great routes.
-
2
Prepare your documents
Passport, ESTA travel authorisation for nationals of the countries concerned, a valid motorcycle licence and, depending on the country that issued it, an international permit. The security deposit requires a credit card in the rider's name.
-
3
Book the motorcycle
Run the search with your dates and your starting city: the motorcycles available at the location appear with their terms. Book several weeks ahead in spring and autumn.
-
4
Book the nights
Motels and hotels are everywhere, but nights near the national parks and during big motorcycle rallies go fast. Book at least the key stops in advance, checking that parking is available for the motorcycle.
-
5
Pick up and return the motorcycle
Arrive the day before pick-up to recover from jet lag. At the location, take the time to adjust the motorcycle and find the controls; on return, allow a margin for big-city traffic.
Everything to know before hitting the road
Helmets and rules: one state at a time
Each state sets its own rules. Helmets are mandatory for everyone in California, Nevada, New York, Georgia and Tennessee, and only for younger riders in other states. Lane splitting is legal only in California. The simplest approach: a helmet everywhere and stay in your lane.
Distances and fuel
In the West, fuel stations can be more than 100 km apart. Fill up as soon as the gauge drops below half, especially on a roadster with a small tank, and carry water in the deserts.
Heat and dehydration
In summer, cross the deserts of Arizona, Nevada or California early in the morning. A ventilated jacket and plenty of water are essential; many riders wet a T-shirt under their jacket to cool down.
Electronic tolls
Some motorways in Florida, Texas or the Northeast have cashless tolling, paid by licence plate recognition. Ask the rental company how they are billed before you leave, or avoid them with the GPS option.
Wildlife and night riding
Deer, elk and bison cross the roads at dawn and dusk, especially in the parks and in the mountains. Avoid riding at night outside the cities and slow down in signposted zones.
Your questions about a road trip in the United States
How long should a motorcycle road trip in the United States last?
A week is enough for a regional loop: the western parks, the Pacific coast or Florida. Allow two and a half weeks for Route 66 from end to end, and more to cross the country from coast to coast.
Which region should I choose for a first trip?
The West, from Las Vegas or Los Angeles: wide roads, spectacular scenery, reasonable distances between the parks and a dry climate in spring and autumn. It is also where the EagleRider network is densest.
Can I pick up the motorcycle in one city and return it in another?
Yes, this is often possible between EagleRider locations, with fees depending on the route. The search shows for your dates whether a return in another city is offered.
Which motorcycle for riding two-up?
A grand touring motorcycle, from Harley-Davidson as well as BMW (K 1600 GTL, R 1250 RT). The passenger has a backrest, and the side cases and top case hold the belongings of two people for a light-packing trip.
Can I rent a trike?
Yes, the EagleRider catalogue includes the Harley-Davidson Tri Glide and the three-wheeled Polaris Slingshot. They let you travel without managing the balance of a motorcycle; check the licence requirements in the offer.
FAQ — Motorcycle rental in the United States
Is my motorcycle licence valid in the United States?
A tourist can generally ride with their national motorcycle licence, supplemented by an international permit depending on the issuing country and the state you ride through. The rental company states its requirements in the offer.
Do I need a visa?
Nationals of the visa waiver programme countries, including France, need an ESTA authorisation, to be requested online before departure. Check the conditions for your nationality.
Where do I sleep during a motorcycle road trip?
In motels and hotels, found in every city and along the main routes, or in national park lodges. Book the key stops in advance and check that parking is provided for the motorcycle.
How many kilometres a day?
Between 200 and 350 km a day leaves time to sightsee and stop. Beyond that, the day is spent on the motorcycle; on Route 66 or in the deserts, some stages are longer.
Do the national parks charge an entry fee?
Yes, most charge an entry fee per vehicle, motorcycles included. For several parks, the America the Beautiful annual pass is often good value; fees for non-residents rose in 2026, so check them before you go.
Can I ride into Canada?
Only if the rental company allows it and the insurance covers Canada. Ask before booking. EagleRider also has a location in Vancouver for a trip on the Canadian side.
Why take a motorcycle trip in the United States
No country offers as many legendary motorcycle routes: Route 66, the western parks, the Pacific coast, the Appalachians, the Florida Keys. The roads are wide, motorcyclists get a warm welcome everywhere, and you go from motel to motel at the pace of the road.
With 38 pick-up cities and a catalogue ranging from roadsters to big tourers, you build the trip that suits you: a one-week loop, a one-way coast-to-coast ride or a legendary rally such as Daytona or Sturgis.