I am in the planning stages for a ride this September (3rd-26th) from Washington to Key West and back.

What I would like, is if anyone has any suggestions of great rides or must see things along my route that are a must do. It can't be too far off, but then again I hate to think I drove right by something great and didn't stop.

The route I have planned is;

http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.com/rideplanner/share/281409

You can click on the view or edit ride plan to see in more detail of where I am going to be riding.

Thanks for your help!

GaryTJ

Seems to me from past posts, RextheRoadDog has an abundance of great information on that subject!!!

I have done a share of that journey over the years and I would only be giving you a tourists view, but i always think the best advice I ever got was "suck it and see" you'll find places that will be yours, you can buy books on the must see places, or go on discovery channel. But.................if in Florida, that Sea highway is fantastic on the way to Key West, and if you stop on it, speak a foreign language to the police who tell you move on, it works, believe me. They'll get peed off and go away

That is good, I will have to try that... I for sure will stopping every chance I get along that bridge.

When you go through our neck of the woods, make sure that you take an hour and stop at the Bighorn Battlefield. Worth the time. If you didn't mind adding on mileage, a pass through Yellowstone NP is worth it if you have never been. Great riding.

Thanks Wolfhound, I will be touring that area in June then on to all the extreme trails (4x4) in the black hills. First time to Sturgis and it will be for 4-wheeling... LOL

I've done Oregon to NY twice....... I would highly recommend staying OFF the freeways........ the. backroads are the only way to go........

I agree with you and I will be looking into a lot of the roads that go in the general direction I want to go. But it would be hard pressed to do 8000 miles on nothing but back roads in the time I have. That is why I am asking for advice from people here that have done some traveling.

Thank you Woody.

Thank You Debra Jo...
That sounds like a GREAT ride. Wish I could do it with you.

That route map is not too detailed and to be honest the route list is a bit long for me to read. That is a long way to go in 23 days and not do a fair amount of interstate. Also in September, the chance of snow in the northern mountain passes is a serious possibility  I was very fortunate to be able to ride all lower 48 states in one run last summer. You can see the general route map at www.rideforsophie.org.  I still have all my route maps (PC program) and will gladly share with you. I have a lot of suggestions on some of the states so send me a message.

Message sent. I will look at the ride for Sophie too.
Thanks.

me and my pal ,bennyb are going to do a round scotland trip in the summer ,i know its not as far as your trip ,but it should be a good one ,it works out at about 350miles a day for 3 days .

Only one thing I can see from a quick glance - you're missing Utah completely. I40 thru Arizona is long, straight and boring, if you can move the return route north a little you'll be able to include Monument Valley, the north rim of Grand Canyon and Zion National Park before you hit Vegas.

If you don't mind, GPS that talks when you are in a street of cages makes the ride alot easier. If you need fuel, food, tourist traps or detours all is a touch away. My trip from Duluth to DC through Michigan was great with the GPS. Lists of lodging food fuel (by brand for card) and change of direction were easy and didn't have to stop to map check. Used lighter power plug-in and removable. Also allowed preload destinations and types of roads to travel. Most of the trip was 4 lane but The Rock-N-Roll Hall Of Fame was downtown Cleveland and turn by turn was easy when you are there first time. Have also had my butt saved when the exit is left side lane not right and some cities don't arrow well. If you can borrow and practice trip even in a car and shop with your bike gloves to check operation gloved. Some touch with gloves and big fingers like mine was a problem when I was shopping. I found the money well spent

G, Sounds like you will have a great time. I would love to get over there someday.

PCDoc54, I spent 2 weeks last year running all over the Moab,Utah, and the 4 corners area and had a great time.
I changed it and rerouted it north of the Grand Canyon and it is not too bad. Added about 5 hours to the trip is all. Thanks!

Thanks hgsc90, I have a Garmin 885t that does all the fun stuff for me and streams music and directions to my helmet Via bluetooth.( I have a dongle for it)
I used it all last summer running around Oregon, Idaho and Montana and it made me look like I knew what I was doing. (hard to do!)

aye should be good gary, just hope the weather stays dry .

I thought that Scotland was always wet. Or was that Ireland...

ireland ,always rains ,lol

Monsoon season starts here about the middle of February, and finishes about the start of February, give or take a week.

At least here in the NW we get a couple of months of decent weather. The other 10 are overcast and misting, with occasional showers followed by rain, before going back to the misting. LOL