Looking for bicycle touring routes in the USA?
You’ve certainly come to the right place because I have been cycling in the United States for years, as it is only a 90-mile drive from my Canadian home.
The Top Bicycle touring routes in the USA are a bit different than what a local cyclist might think, as I am viewing these from the viewpoint of a foreign visitor. These are some of the best cycle touring routes or regions you may wish to consider.
Use my helpful guide to discover routes for every level of cyclist.
1. East Coast Greenway
I have not yet tackled the entire route, but have cycled some sections. Also known in sections as U.S. Bicycle Route 1 (Atlantic Route), it spans almost 3,000 miles from the Canadian border in scenic Maine to Key West, Florida, and links all the major eastern seaboard cities. About one-quarter is on traffic-free bicycle paths. Maine, and in particular the Acadia National Park area, is very popular with cyclists.
Besides the cycling in Maine section, the 160 miles from Miami to Key West is one of the best bike routes. Expect ocean breezes and the opportunity to see lots of wildlife while crossing the 42 bridges. And Key West is a delight to cycle about once you arrive.
2. Vermont Cycling
I love Vermont as it is well known for its beautiful scenery, particularly in September and October when the leaves change color. Many trips are available from adventure tour companies, usually inn-to-inn. There are many unsigned Vermont bicycle routes throughout the state.
What is good about Vermont is that I could cycle in hilly terrain or along the Champlain Bikeways, which provide great lake views and fewer hills.
3. Empire State Trail, New York
Erie Canalway Trail, Champlain Valley Route, Hudson Valley Greenway
Three trails make up the Empire State Trail, which is a 750-mile route through New York State. Starting in Buffalo and heading 360 miles, the flat Erie Canalway heads through a historic area to Albany. Perhaps I am biased about the Eire Canalway as I live near the route.
An alternate route to the Erie Canalway from Buffalo is to travel to Canada and take the Niagara Recreation Trail and Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, eventually connecting with the Champlain Valley Route.
The Champlain Valley Route starts at the Canadian border (with a connection to La Route Verte in Quebec) this 170-mile route travels to Albany as well. The first section is along the shores of Lake Champlain on your left, with the Green Mountains of Vermont in the distance and the Adirondack Mountains on your right. The final section is along the Champlain Canal and Hudson River.
Both the above routes connect with the Hudson Valley Greenway Trail in Albany, which follows the river in the same way all the way to New York City.
4. Finger Lakes, New York
Not top of mind, but the Finger Lakes are a popular wine region with numerous waterfalls and quiet hilly roads visited by many cyclists. As it is close to my home one of my go-to destinations.
It is best to base yourself in the typical New England towns of Hammondsport, Watkins Glen, or Ithaca and do a series of day trips.
I find there are plenty of low-traffic roads, and depending on your route, there can be some steep climbs or more gentle rides, all with scenic lakes in view. There are plenty of campgrounds, rental vacation homes, B & B, and hotels in the region. The Erie Canal route goes through the top end of this area as well.
5. Pine Creek Trail (Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania)
Because it is close by and easy to combine with this ride, I also stopped at the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania for a few days.
A 62-mile rail trail in Northern Pennsylvania through the majestic Appalachian Mountains. I stayed in Leonard Harrison State Park, which borders the route.
USBR 11 in Pennsylvania bisects the state, so you can ride through several state forests and state parks, as well as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, while riding the Pine Creek Rail Trail. Includes rural and suburban sections and larger cities like York, plus the state capital, Harrisburg, while traveling along the Susquehanna River.
6. Great Allegheny Passage (GAP)
The Great Allegheny Passage is one of the best touring routes in the eastern U.S. as it travels along a former railway route from Pittsburgh to the Cumberland Gap in Maryland. For me, the best views were just past the Eastern Continental Divide. Yes, you can use road bikes on this rail trail as I did.
Along the way, there are numerous bridges, scenic mountains, the crossing of the Mason-Dixon line, and tunnels. At the Cumberland Gap, there is a connection with the historic C & O Canal, which goes via Harpers Ferry to Washington, DC, if you want to do the entire route.
7. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Is a unique part of the United States with one of the largest Amish and Mennonite communities in the country. There is an extensive network of quiet rural roads for cycling, which can be hilly at times.
8. Kentucky
It is famous for its love of horses. I found there were many miles of quiet roads available, many passing the horse farms, and the varied landscape provides plenty of opportunities for cycling.
9. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina & Virginia
It is a 469-mile scenic route in North Carolina and Virginia. Cyclists find this route popular because of lower traffic levels compared to most highways, and you have those wonderful views.
Cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway is a nice challenge and a great way to spend some quality time with nature. The route winds through the Appalachian Mountains, offering plenty of opportunities when bike touring to see wildlife, stunning views, waterfalls, and forests.
10. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
The Skyline Drive is a scenic 105-mile route through Shenandoah National Park. Different than the Blue Ridge Parkway, which it connects with at its southern end.
Especially popular are fall rides to view the beautiful foliage. There are many outlooks along the route.
11. Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 308-mile scenic route that runs through Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. It is perfect for biking because it has a speed limit of 50 miles per hour, making it easy to bike safely. There are plenty of overnight accommodations along the way, including campgrounds, state parks, and historic inns. The scenery is stunning, as well as passing plantations, tobacco farms, and the birthplace of Elvis.
12. Mississippi River Trail
Bicycling Guide To The Mississippi River Trail. This is a bicycle route that travels from the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to the Mississippi Delta in Louisiana. It is a 3,000-mile route of bicycle-friendly roads and multi-use pathways.
13. Katy Trail, Missouri
The Katy Trail in Missouri is one of the most popular bike trips in the USA, especially in the Midwest. It stretches across 240 miles, paralleling the Missouri River. Cyclists can enjoy breathtaking views along this historic route and experience some of America’s unique natural beauty. The trail runs through state parks, forests, and scenic countryside, making it an unforgettable cycling adventure.
There are plenty of places to rest and refuel along the way, and plenty of towns with attractions for cyclists to explore. With its gentle gradient and well-maintained surface, the Katy Trail is a great choice for anyone looking for an easy and enjoyable cycling tour. So if you’re looking for a challenge or just want to relax in nature, this route is worth the effort.
14. Pacific Coast – Central California
The Pacific Coast route, which includes the famous wine country of the Napa Valley north of San Francisco, is popular with more casual recreational cyclists. The Oregon coast to the north, with its numerous ascents and stunning ocean views, is more for those experienced in bicycle touring. Cycling the Pacific coast route is particularly popular to get you started.
There are plenty of places to explore on your way, including Portland, Monterey, and eventually San Diego near the Mexican border.
15. San Juan Islands, Washington State
Tucked away in the Pacific Northwest, a scenic artist’s haven with an unhurried pace along the western coast. You will want to park yourself in a delightful bed and breakfast or small inn and do some day cycles. This has been voted one of the most bicycle-friendly states for the past few years.
16. The Road to Hana, Hawaii
The Road to Hana is an iconic bike tour with a lot of natural beauty for cyclists, and although I have only done it once, I remember it was like a jungle. It features winding roads, lush rainforest, and jaw-dropping waterfalls. As you ride along the road, you’ll pass through quaint towns like Pa’ia and Huelo, each with its own unique charm.
The Road to Hana is one of Hawaii’s most popular tourist attractions, and biking is the perfect way to experience the beauty of Maui. Along the way, you’ll get to sample local cuisine and take in spectacular views of Maui’s rugged coastline and the Pacific Ocean while riding through a lush tropical landscape.
17. Cycling in US National Parks
There are so many to choose from (besides Shenandoah listed above), yet it is a great way to see America, so I am only listing a few:
Acadia National Park, Maine
Most cyclists do the one-way loop road around the peninsula or the carriage roads. However, many are not aware that the Schoodic Peninsula nearby is also part of the park, with an awesome ride on a one-way road, which turned out to be my favorite ride.
Why Go: Famous for its historic Carriage Roads, Acadia offers 45 miles of car-free gravel paths with stunning views of the coastline, forests, and mountains.
Highlight: The ride around Jordan Pond is particularly scenic.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
There are several paved roads and 2 gravel roads for cycling with mountain scenery. A section of USBR 76 passes through the park.
Why Go: The Multi-Use Pathway provides a safe, paved route with breathtaking views of the jagged Teton Range.
Highlight: Ride from Moose Junction to Jenny Lake for a serene adventure.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Going to the Sun Road is a bit of a climb, but you get to see the impressive Crater Lake.
Why Go: The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a challenging yet rewarding ride with dramatic alpine scenery and wildlife.
Highlight: Early morning rides during shoulder seasons offer fewer cars and a peaceful experience.
Zion National Park, Utah
Why Go: Zion Canyon’s Pa’rus Trail is a paved, car-free path perfect for cyclists. During peak seasons, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles, making it a peaceful and bike-friendly route.
Highlight: Cycling along the Virgin River with towering sandstone cliffs around you is an unforgettable experience.
Additional USBRS Routes
Alaska’s network also connects to Washington State using ferries, now designated as part of the US Bicycle System
The US Bicycle Route System has bypassed the 20,000-mile benchmark in 2024 with three completely new routes and two major extensions! These routes include the Northern Tier, Southern Tier, and Route 66, which cross the country.
Bonus: Bicycle Touring U.S. Rail Trails
Planning bicycle touring along rail trails is one easy way to incorporate a safe route into your long ride. When I was visiting Wisconsin with some cycling friends, we camped in a county campground right on the Madison bike route system, which connected to several rail trails that headed out in all directions into the countryside, perfect for day trips.
On other bike tours where we are riding with loaded panniers and moving each night, we may use rail trails for a short distance. Surfaces along rail trails vary from gravel to paved, so check it out, especially if using loaded panniers. Sometimes we find the routes not as scenic as along a road, so we will vary the way we travel. One thing is that rail trails are safe (particularly for families with younger riders) as there is no traffic.
Here’s the list of the top 12, according to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. This list includes rail-trails more than 100 miles long with at least 90 percent of the route along a former railroad corridor.
- Katy Trail State Park (Missouri) – 239 miles
- Palouse to Cascades States Park Trail (Washington) – 236 miles
- Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail (Nebraska) – 203 miles
- Great Allegheny Passage (Maryland, Pennsylvania) – 153 miles
- Columbia Plateau Trail State Park (Washington) – 130 miles
- Paul Bunyan State Trail (Minnesota) – 122 miles
- Flint Hills Trail State Park (Kansas) – 118 miles
- Soo Line Trail (Southern Route) (Minnesota) – 114.5 miles
- George S. Mickelson Trail (South Dakota) – 112 miles
- OC&E Woods Line State Trail (Oregon) – 110 miles
- State Line Trail (Michigan) – 107 miles
- Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (Florida) – 106 miles
The major comment I get is that rail-trails are flat and boring, however, some of the long-distance routes such as the Great Allegheny Passage from Pittsburgh to Washington are popular for cycling vacations.
Planning Your U.S. Bicycle Tour
Steps for planning a bicycle tour
Lightweight bicycle touring packing list
FAQs: Top Bicycle Touring Routes in the USA
What is the best bicycle route across the USA?
The Transamerica Trail, also known as U.S. Bicycle Route 76, is a cross-country bicycle route of 4,200 miles running from Oregon to Virginia along quiet backroads. It is one of two original U.S. Bicycle routes.
How long would it take to ride across America?
It would depend on your daily distance, but riding the 4,200-mile Transamerica trail would take an average cyclist 60 to 65 days.
What is the most bike-friendly state in the US?
The 2024 report from the League of American Bicyclists listed the top 10.
1. Washington
2. Massachusetts
3. Oregon
4. California
5. Minnesota
6. Colorado
7. Delaware
8. Florida
9. Maryland
10. Illinois
What is the longest bike trail in the US?
At 4,200 miles, the Transamerica Trail from Virginia to Oregon is the longest east-coast to west-coast trail. The 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway is the longest north-to-south trail going from Maine to Florida.
Can you bike across America?
You sure can bike across America along several routes. The Transamerica route goes from Virginia to Oregon, and there is also the Northern Tier route going across New England and eventually arriving at the West Coast. If you want to cycle north to south, you have the East Coast Greenway in the east and a similar route along the west coast.
Wrap-Up: Top Bicycle Touring Routes in the USA
Yes, I have left out some great regions, such as Wisconsin, but there were so many choices. Whichever top bicycle touring routes in the USA you choose, have a fun time!
