Best Motorcycle Rides Near Philadelphia

Experience the freedom of the road on the best motorcycle rides near Philadelphia from REVER. “The City of Brotherly Love” is ready to welcome you with exciting motorcycle rides in Philadelphia and all throughout eastern PA. Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in America, first founded way back in 1682. You can visit several important sites key to the origin of the United States, and then head out into the country on motorcycle rides near Philadelphia. REVER is the perfect tool to keep you on track from start to finish.

Tips For The Top Motorcycle Rides In Philadelphia

The Philadelphia area offers distinct contrast between the bustling areas of eastern PA and the rolling countryside of central PA. NYC lies less than 100 miles to the north, while Baltimore is just over 100 miles to the south. We've assembled the best motorcycle rides near Philadelphia to guarantee you hit all the sites along the way. REVER makes it easy with an ever-growing library of top rides around the world. You can also pioneer your own routes and record your favorites for free. When you're ready for something more, hit the throttle with REVER Pro. Turn by turn and voice navigation, live weather alerts, Butler Maps road recommendations and more ensure your journey is always smooth.

You'll encounter a wide range of temperatures throughout the year on motorcycle rides Philadelphia. The city receives a good amount of rain, and you can expect a regular shower on many motorcycle rides in Philadelphia. Don't forget the rain gear before you head out. The winters are less predictable, as snowfall varies from light flurries to heavy blizzards. This means there are still opportunities to hit an off-season ride with an eye on the forecast. Make sure to wear base layers and warm riding gear. The summers contrast to hot and humid days, and lighter gear is best for countering the heat.

Philadelphia Attractions

Any visit to Philadelphia should start with its treasures of American history. Independence Hall hosted the signing of both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. You can learn more about the struggle for independence at the Museum of the American Revolution. Of course, the iconic symbol of Philadelphia is the Liberty Bell, and no visit is complete without a stop at the Liberty Bell Center. For a different but nonetheless powerful symbol, make sure to climb the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see the Rocky Statue. Up next, the history of motorsports comes alive at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. Finally, you'll want to try a classic Philly cheesesteak at popular local joints like Pat's King of Steaks, Geno's Steaks, Sonny's Famous Steaks or Tony Luke's.

Delaware River Ride

Tour the Delaware River on this essential three-hour ride just north of the city – although we still count it as among the best motorcycle rides near Philadelphia. This route starts in Easton, PA about an hour north of downtown Philadelphia. Don't forget to bring your fishing pole if you want to catch striped bass, muskies, brown trout, yellow perch and American shad. Start south of town on Cedarville Road headed east. You'll cross up over Interstate 78, and then hang a right onto S Delaware Drive / 611. Start following the river south around a long river bend. Wy Hit Tuk Park offers a chance to walk along the Pennsylvania Canal and the Delaware River. There is a cool little roadside ice cream shop called The Canalside Cup a few miles south of the park as well. Once you pass through Raubsville, PA, you can check out the canal locks at the Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area.  

When you reach Kintnersville, PA, take the left onto River Road / 32 to stay with the Delaware River. This next stretch is an epic section along the Nockamixon Cliffs. You're also right next to the river, and it doesn't get much better than this along the Delaware! River Road cuts inland for a stretch and then turns south at Upper Black Eddy, PA. From here on, you can ride both sides of the river as a loop or pick either the Pennsylvania side or the New Jersey side for an A to B ride. We'll point out the highlights of a loop ride south on the New Jersey side and back up north on the Pennsylvania side. Cross over the bridge into Milford, NJ, and there is a cool little pub called the Old Ship Inn that makes for a unique lunch stop. Turn left onto Frenchtown Road in the center of Milford to continue the route.

Cruise into Frenchtown, NJ, and then take a little jaunt left onto Trenton Avenue to stay along the river. This section of the Delaware is popular for tubing and canoeing in the summer, and there are several forested islands in the middle of the river to explore. You wind around a steep cliff called the Devils Tea Table, and then hit the throttle for a nice straight stretch along the river. You'll see the remains of an old bridge washed out by floods, and there is a parking lot for the Canal Trail if you want to get off and stretch your legs. There are many more miles to clock on the Jersey side, and stay on Highway 29 to follow the river. Once you pass through Lambertville, NJ, you'll encounter another scenic section along the river bluffs into Titusville, NJ. This is site where General Washington crossed the Delaware River for the critical Revolutionary War battle. There is a state park here and the old Nelson House at the site of the crossing if you want to explore more. Trenton, NJ is not too far from here, and stay on 29 into the city.

Trenton is an old colonial city and the capital of New Jersey. You'll ride into downtown on Highway 29, and then take the exit for the Calhoun Street Bridge back into Pennsylvania. Make an immediate right onto Highway 32 / N Delmorr Avenue to ride back up the other side of the river and the canal. At Washington Crossing, there are a couple things to see just like the New Jersey side of the crossing. Bowman's Hill Tower offers spectacular views of the Delaware River Valley, and there is a historical park along the river. If you're riding through in late October, this is the site of the Washington Crossing Brewfest. Up next is New Hope, PA, another old world town with several preserved mansions and a classic working railroad. Stay on 32 as the road leaves the river for a stretch around Canal Park, and then curve up to the south side of the large Hendrick Island in the middle of the river. This is a good place to pull off and stretch your legs at the Virginia Forrest Recreation Area near the tip of the island. Enjoy the ride all the way back up to Upper Black Eddy to complete the loop.

‍

<a href="https://rever.app.link/1ypjGT4Ai0" class="btn article-preview__btn w-button">View In App</a>

‍

Schuylkill Gap

Head out on a quick ride northwest of Philadelphia with this near half-hour cruise through Schuylkill Gap. It takes a little over an hour-and-a-half to get to Hamburg, PA from Philadelphia to the start of the ride. Schuylkill Gap is a water gap through Blue Mountain, which means this old river has been flowing long before the mountains were pushed up around it. You'll see interesting rock formations along the way made up of ancient seabed layers over 400 million years old. We've also selected a couple historical sites that you'll definitely want to check out.

This ride starts in Hamburg north of Reading, PA. Stop into the Westy Bar & Grill for some wings before you ride the gap. When you're ready, take Highway 61 / Centre Turnpike over the Schuylkill River to leave Hamburg. You'll pass over the William Penn Highway towards the high ridge ahead. Ride over the meandering river once again and into Schuylkill Gap. The Appalachian Trail passes through this area, and you'll see parking for it off to your left. This is a good spot to pull off and check out more of the river. Port Clinton, PA is the little town built along the river. Stay on Highway 61 through the rest of the gap as you trace the Little Schuylkill River out into rolling farmland. Deer Lake, PA is just up ahead, and there are a couple great restaurant options along the lake in the middle of town. Deer Lake Pub makes a mean burger, while Brother's BBQ has all the classics.

There is more to see in the second half of the ride including some American sports history. As the road turns west to follow the nearby ridge, watch for a left onto Sculps Hill Road. This takes you up to Muhammad Ali's Deer Lake Training Camp. Ali built this training camp from the ground up in the 1970s, and it is where he would train for some of his biggest fights, including “The Rumble In The Jungle” and the “Thrilla in Manila.” Ali's father painted various rocks around the property with the names of other fighters Ali admired, and you can still see them today. Tours are always free -- just like Ali's training sessions were back in the day. There are open house hours every Saturday and Sunday.

Back on Highway 61, you'll leave the hills behind for a stretch and ride into the larger town of Schuylkill Haven, PA. Cruise through downtown and then get ready for one last scenic section through another gap. Highway 61 turns north and leaves town to follow the river through another tight water gap. The ride ends at Pottsville, PA, but there is one more destination you won't want to miss if you love beer. Pottsville is the site of America's oldest brewery, and it was established here way back in 1829 by David G. Yuengling, an immigrant from Germany. You can tour the Yuengling Brewery for free Monday through Friday. If you plan to ride back through the gap, we recommend taking a left on Blue Mountain Road just after Port Clinton and Schuylkill Gap but before the bridge into Hamburg. This will take you along more of the Schuylkill River including the dam at New Kernsville Lake.

‍

<a href="https://rever.app.link/ue91OwysOU" class="btn article-preview__btn w-button">View In App</a>

‍

Lehigh Gap

For our final suggestion on motorcycle rides near Philadelphia, you’ll cruise through the Lehigh Gap on this short ride north of the city. The ride itself only takes a few minutes, but you'll tour scenic Blue Mountain and ride through an ancient water gap along the Lehigh River. You can also use this water gap as a highlight for a longer ride to the Lehigh River Gorge, as well. Start the ride in the community of Newhard, PA on Highway 873 headed north. Once you reach Slatington, PA, follow 873 as it curves to the right, and then watch for a quick left to stay on 873 along the Lehigh River. You'll see the water gap loom ahead as you ride by Slatington Airport. Just before the gap, Highway 873 crosses over the Lehigh River, but you can make a stop at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center here to see more of the landscape before you ride through. There are hiking trails if you want to check out the views from the top of the mountain, and the Appalachian Trail runs along the top of Blue Mountain. The Lehigh River is regularly stocked with rainbow and brown trout, making it a bit of a fishing paradise in the region, as well.

Once over the river, 873 ends, and you'll take the left onto Highway 248 to ride through Lehigh Gap. The primary rock feature you'll see is the Devil's Pulpit on the east side of the gap. The river and rail line is just below the highway in this narrow gap. After the gap, the Lehigh River curves to the west towards Bowmanstown, PA to end the ride. If you're in need of some restaurant options, Blue Mountain Pub north of Palmerton, PA just after the gap is a solid stop in the area. You can also take Little Gap Road east out of Palmerton, turn right at Lower Smith Gap Road / Blue Mountain Drive to ride by the local ski resort. Once you get back down the other side of the mountain, the Blue Mountain Drive-In recaptures that classic roadside ‘50s diner feel.

‍

<a href="https://rever.app.link/IFwqf3YtOU" class="btn article-preview__btn w-button">View In App</a>

‍