Florida is a premier destination for all types of vacationers, and if your checklist includes excellent roads for motorcycle rides, you’ll be in hog heaven.
But in a state known for tourist traffic, you’ll want to choose your route carefully.
Today, we share seven of the best drives to cruise on two wheels (or four).
Let’s hit the road!
Why Florida Is a Great State for a Scenic Motorcycle Ride
We all know that the Sunshine State is a great place to hit the beach. But Florida also offers countless scenic drives perfect for a motorcycle ride. Whether you want to see sprawling vistas or hit the backroads to escape heavy traffic, you’ll surely find a route you love.
Perhaps the best part of cruising through this state is the weather. Keep an eye out for thunderstorms in the summer or even a hurricane during the season, but you’ll have comfortable temperatures throughout much of the winter.
If you’re considering a bike trip in Florida, check out any of these drives for the ride of your life!
#1 Green Swamp Loop
Enjoy a twisty trek through the southwestern part of the state on the Green Swamp Loop. This 72-mile stretch of scenic byway between Tampa and Orlando circles the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve. The wetlands cover around 560,000 acres, so there’s plenty to see along the way.
We hear both Lake Erie and Bay Lake roads are detours you’ll want to take. They’re both in good shape, but watch out for sandy spots along the way. Give yourself about two hours to enjoy the sights.
Best Place to Stay
Lake Louisa State Park is just east of the Green Swamp Loop. The campground offers accommodations for just about everyone. You’ll find tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and even luxury glamping cabins.
And there’s more to this destination than a place to lay your head. Rent a kayak or paddleboard at Dixie Lake Outpost. You can hike nearby recreational trails or play volleyball with the family. There’s an on-site general store, laundry facility, and service for trash and recycling.
#2 Miami to Key West
The famous route from Miami to Key West might be one of Florida’s most popular motorcycle rides. Route 1 takes you over Seven Mile Bridge and along each of the beloved keys. It’s a four-hour drive without stops, so we wouldn’t blame you for making a weekend out of it. After all, you’ll want time for a good meal and a chance to stretch your legs.
Make a pitstop at Islamorada Fish Company for some fresh, local grub. Then keep heading south until you reach Mile 0.
Best Place to Stay
Key Largo is the first island you’ll come to once you leave the mainland. And John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is worth a visit. The campground has 42 full-hookup sites with 30- and 50-Amp service. You can rent a boat or launch your own to get out on the water. And if you’d rather check out the coral reef, the dive shop has all the gear you need.
Camp your way around the country with one of these 5 Best Motorcycle Camper Trailers.
#3 Tamiami Trail
The Tamiami Trail links the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico by way of South Florida. In fact, it’s the oldest route along this path, predating I-75. It spans from Miami to Naples and covers 113 miles of Highway 41. The whole trip takes about two and a half hours.
Big Cypress National Preserve is roughly halfway through the drive. Other notable stops include Miccosukee Indian Village and Florida Panther Natural Wildlife Refuge. Whether you want to take in the scenery or catch a glimpse of the past, you can do it along the Tamiami Trail.
Best Place to Stay
Collier-Seminole State Park is just south of Naples, near the Gulf Coast. RV sites have 20- and 30-Amp electrical service and partial hookups. Other spots are available for tent and hammock campers. You’ll have access to full restrooms, laundry facilities, and a dump station.
Recreational trails surround the campground, so you can stroll through the forest or take a canoe or kayak out on the water.
#4 Ormond Scenic Loop
You might not expect to find one of Florida’s most scenic motorcycle roads just north of Daytona, but it’s there! The 45-minute loop along A1A and Old Dixie Highway will take you along the Atlantic Ocean and backroads canopied by live oak trees.
For a truly unique experience, time your trip sometime between December and March. Endangered North Atlantic right whales come here to give birth. So bring your binoculars, and you might see the magic happen before your eyes.
Best Place to Stay
The campground at Tomoka State Park is a good choice for RVers hitting the Ormond Scenic Loop. Water surrounds the park. As many as 90 species of fish live in the Tomoka River alone, so bring your rod and reel! Nearby trailheads are ideal for hikers and cyclers.
Spots have 20-, 30-, and 50-Amp service, as well as water. Although you won’t have sewer hookups, there’s a dump station on site. Be aware that some roads in the park are unpaved, which could make for a bumpy ride.
We wondered: What Does the Number 81 Mean to Hardcore Bikers?
#5 Scenic Highway 13
Historic Highway 13 is just south of Jacksonville. This roughly 40-mile trek runs along the St. Johns River, the longest in the state. You’ll likely stumble upon hidden gems, such as family-owned oyster bars and seafood shacks. And the views aren’t half-bad, either.
Despite being right outside the big city, this stretch of highway doesn’t see too much traffic. Instead, you’ll have scenic river views and canopies of Spanish moss.
Best Place to Stay
Check out the St. Augustine RV Resort for a high-end stay during your Florida motorcycle rides.
They have all the amenities you want, such as a laundry room, full restrooms, and pull-thru spots with full hookups. But perks like a gym, swimming pool, and dog run set them apart. Plus, they offer RV storage in case you fall in love and decide to put down roots here.
Pro tip: Check their website for great discounts you won’t get anywhere else.
#6 Ozello Trail
Frequently named the number one motorcycle ride in Florida, Ozello Trail should be on your bucket list. The unusual route winds through Crystal River Preserve State Park, boasting unbeatable views.
While the drive itself is pretty short, only about 40 minutes round-trip, the scenery is rewarding. Ozello Trail is the gateway to over 27,000 acres of salt marshes, mangroves, and woodlands.
We suggest timing your trip for wintertime when manatees swim upriver. You can get up close and personal with these gentle giants like nowhere else on Earth.
Best Place to Stay
Back on dry land, Sun Retreats Crystal Cove is an excellent place to rest up. Big-rig sites with full hookups cater to RVers of all types.
They offer free WiFi and cable TV, plus tons of extra goodies. You can rest your bones in the hot tub or swim laps in the heated pool. Play a game of horseshoes, or simply tackle your growing laundry pile. There’s even a book exchange where you can trade in an old favorite for something new.
#7 Sugarloaf Mountain Ride
We don’t often think of mountains when we think of Florida, but one of the state’s best motorcycle rides will take you to one. Many folks enjoy the change from the Sunshine State’s typical flatlands.
The route circles Lake Apopka and up Sugarloaf Mountain. You won’t hit any ski slopes but will gain a modest 300 feet in elevation. And the views of downtown Orlando will be worth it.
Best Place to Stay
Toward the end of this drive, between Apopka and Mount Dora, is the highly-rated Trimble Park Campground. Sites include water and 20- and 30-Amp electrical service. And you can empty your blackwater tank at the dump station.
If the playground and volleyball court don’t keep you entertained, the recreational trails and water access might.
Will you be staying near Sarasota? Check out more Scenic Rides in West Central Florida.
Florida Scenic Motorcycle Rides are a Biker’s Heaven
Whether you’re on a cross-country motorcycle tour or a leisurely car ride, Florida has plenty of scenic routes to explore. From crystal clear waters to mountain peaks, you’ll see spectacular scenery and hidden enclaves away from heavy traffic.
A cruise through the Sunshine State is enjoyable any time of year, but we suggest a winter vacation if possible. Pleasant weather will greet you, and you might even spot a manatee! Keep the shiny side up!
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