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EagleRider AtlantaAtlantaView map
Atlanta sprawls across the Piedmont, between the plains of southern Georgia and the first Appalachian hills. An hour on the road is all it takes for the freeways to give way to wooded hills, lakes and brick villages. For a motorcyclist, it is a practical base: roads in good condition, a long season, and a choice of routes far more varied than you might imagine. Our partner EagleRider offers five major motorcycle brands there, from Harley-Davidson to Yamaha.
The branch is called EagleRider Atlanta; its exact address is given on your booking confirmation. EagleRider also has a branch in Marietta, 27 km from Atlanta as the crow flies, which lets you adjust the starting point according to the direction of your trip.
Our partners
Where to pick up your vehicle in Atlanta?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Atlanta
1 Stone Mountain, Madison and Macon
- Atlanta
- Stone Mountain
- Madison
- Milledgeville
- Macon
- Jackson
- Atlanta
Leave via the east to Stone Mountain, whose granite dome overlooks a vast park. Continue to Madison, a town known for its antebellum mansions, then to Lake Sinclair and Milledgeville, the former state capital.
Macon offers Ocmulgee archaeological park and the Allman Brothers Band house, dear to Southern rock fans. Return via Jackson and Lake Jackson, on little-used back roads. Two days avoid any rushing.
- Distance
- about 380 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Roadster or cruiser for quiet country roads
2 Helen, Tallulah Gorge and Highlands
- Atlanta
- Gainesville
- Helen
- Tallulah Gorge
- Clayton
- Highlands
- Cornelia
- Atlanta
Head northeast, via Gainesville and Lake Lanier. Helen, a village built in Bavarian style, heralds the mountains. The road then climbs to Tallulah Gorge, a deep Georgia canyon, then to Clayton, at the gates of North Carolina.
Highlands, at more than 1,000 m altitude, is famous for its waterfalls and its shops. Return via Dillard and Cornelia. At weekends, many motorcyclists take these roads: ride carefully in the bends.
- Distance
- about 520 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Adventure bike, light touring bike or Harley-Davidson Pan America for the bends
3 The Tail of the Dragon via Hiawassee
- Atlanta
- Cleveland
- Hiawassee
- Murphy
- Robbinsville
- Deals Gap
- Cherohala Skyway
- Blairsville
- Atlanta
Head north via Cleveland and Hiawassee, then Murphy in North Carolina. From there, Robbinsville opens onto the Deals Gap road: US-129, the famous Tail of the Dragon, and its 318 bends in a little over 17 km. The Cherohala Skyway, wider and faster, offers a restful counterpoint.
A stop at Robbinsville or Maryville is recommended before heading back via Blairsville. Allow three days so as not to chase the bends, and avoid Sundays in season, which are very busy.
- Distance
- about 750 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Manoeuvrable roadster, Triumph or Yamaha MT for the tight bends
4 Warm Springs and Pine Mountain
- Atlanta
- Peachtree City
- Warm Springs
- Pine Mountain
- La Grange
- Newnan
- Atlanta
To the southwest, the road crosses Peachtree City then climbs onto the wooded ridges of Pine Mountain. Warm Springs is home to the little white house where President Roosevelt came for treatment. Callaway Gardens, very close, offers gardens, lakes and trails in the forest.
Return via La Grange and Newnan on small roads, only slightly more winding, which you cross riding gently. An easy outing for a day, with no passes and no crowds.
- Distance
- about 280 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Cruiser-type motorcycle or large touring bike, for the long straights
Weather and seasons
When to go in Atlanta?
Best time
April, May, September and October
April to May, September to October
highs 22.1 to 28.2 °C, lows 10.6 to 18.6 °C
These four months offer the best balance: April rises to 22.1 °C, May to 26.4 °C, September to 28.2 °C and October falls back to 23.1 °C. October is the driest, with 82 mm of rain and 8.9 hours of sunshine a day. In the mountains, autumn foliage colours the roads in October.
High season
June to August
June to August
highs 29.8 to 31.1 °C, lows 19.8 to 21.8 °C
High summer: a high of 31.1 °C in July, nights close to 22 °C, and from 125 to 183 mm of rain a month. Storms break late in the day, 15 to 18 days a month. Ride early, and aim for the mountain roads, cooler than the surroundings of Atlanta.
Winter
November to March
November to March
highs 11.1 to 18.3 °C, lows 1.6 to 7.5 °C
Winters are cool and damp: a high of 11.1 °C in January, 13 °C in December and up to 147 mm of rain in February. Mornings barely reach 2 °C, and black ice can form on mountain roads. Aim for clear days, with warm, waterproof clothing.
Climate in Atlanta, month by month
Most pleasant months: October to November.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11 °C | 2 °C | 135 mm | 7 h/day |
| Feb | 15 °C | 5 °C | 147 mm | 7 h/day |
| Mar | 18 °C | 8 °C | 126 mm | 8 h/day |
| Apr | 22 °C | 11 °C | 117 mm | 10 h/day |
| May | 26 °C | 16 °C | 137 mm | 11 h/day |
| Jun | 30 °C | 20 °C | 125 mm | 11 h/day |
| Jul | 31 °C | 22 °C | 183 mm | 11 h/day |
| Aug | 30 °C | 21 °C | 159 mm | 11 h/day |
| Sep | 28 °C | 19 °C | 120 mm | 10 h/day |
| Oct | 23 °C | 13 °C | 82 mm | 9 h/day |
| Nov | 17 °C | 7 °C | 74 mm | 8 h/day |
| Dec | 13 °C | 4 °C | 120 mm | 6 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Helmets for everyone in Georgia
Georgia law requires the rider and passenger to wear a helmet. Tennessee and North Carolina also have strict rules: wear one in every case. Check the equipment made available by the branch.
Avoiding rush hour
Interstate 75, Interstate 85 and the 285 ring road are saturated in the morning and evening on weekdays. Leave before 6:30 a.m. or after 9:30 a.m., and do not count on filtering between lanes: it is not allowed in Georgia.
Humid heat and storms
In summer, humidity makes the heat heavier and storms are sudden. Keep a rain suit within reach, avoid riding in lightning and drink regularly: fatigue sets in quickly under a full-face helmet.
Mist and black ice at altitude
In the mountains, fog appears quickly in the morning and shaded bends stay damp for a long time. In winter, a dry road in Atlanta can be icy near Highlands. Check the local weather before climbing.
Deer on the roads
In Georgia, deer are numerous and cross mostly at dusk. On small tree-lined roads, reduce your speed late in the day and keep braking distance. A collision with a deer is dangerous on a motorcycle.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Atlanta
Where do I pick up my motorcycle in Atlanta?
At the EagleRider Atlanta branch, our partner. Its precise address is given on your booking confirmation, with the motorcycle handover time. Another EagleRider branch exists in Marietta, to the northwest.
Which motorcycle should I choose for Georgia?
Among the 39 models in the EagleRider catalogue are BMW R 1250 RTs, Triumph Tiger 660s, Yamaha MT-07s and Street Glides. For mountain bends, a roadster or an adventure bike; for long distances, a touring bike. Depending on the branch's availability.
How many days should I allow for the mountains?
Two days for Helen and Highlands, three for the Tail of the Dragon. For central Georgia, one day is enough if you stay in Macon, two if you want to visit Madison or Milledgeville.
Can I drop the motorcycle off elsewhere?
Sometimes, but this is checked at booking: EagleRider is present in Nashville, Jacksonville and elsewhere in Florida. Run a search with your dates to see what is offered.
Atlanta or Marietta to set off?
Atlanta suits you if you plan central or eastern Georgia, Macon or the eastern mountains. Marietta, to the northwest, brings you closer to the Blue Ridge mountains and Alabama. The two branches are about 27 km apart.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Motorcycle rental in Atlanta
Which documents do I need to rent a motorcycle in Georgia?
Present your motorcycle licence, category A if you are European, with an ID document. An international permit is sometimes requested as well. The rental company itself sets the minimum age and the length of time you must have held your licence.
Does the passenger have to wear a helmet?
Yes, in Georgia helmets are mandatory for the rider and the passenger. To ride two-up, choose a touring bike or an adventure bike fitted with a passenger backrest and a luggage rack.
Can I filter between lanes of cars?
No, filtering is prohibited in Georgia, as in almost all American states. Stay in your lane, including in Atlanta's traffic jams, and keep your distance from the vehicle ahead.
Where do I put my things?
Touring bikes have side cases and a top case, roadsters a simple bag. For a loop of two or three days, a light rucksack or saddlebags are enough, with the rest staying at the hotel.
What is the best period?
Spring and early autumn, from April to May and from September to October. The mountains are superb in October, but book early: foliage weekends are in high demand.
About us
Why set off from Atlanta by motorcycle
Atlanta is nothing like the cities of the West: you ride under trees, on roads winding between hills and lakes. In less than two hours, you are already in the southern Appalachians, Tallulah Falls, the mountain villages of North Carolina and the Tail of the Dragon.
With a catalogue that runs from light cruisers to large touring bikes, you choose the pace: a day in the centre of the state, a weekend in Helen or a week in the mountains. The most pleasant thing remains the long season, from March to November.
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