Planning My 20-Day Motorcycle Trip Across America

“There’s something about desert riding—it clears my head like nothing else.”

I’m thankful to be at a point in my life where I can take a trip like this—so I might as well make it a good one.

I’ve had this ride in the back of my mind since around 2018. I’ve done a handful of unforgettable trips over the past few years, but this one feels different—bigger, bolder, and long overdue.

The plan is to ride from St. Louis, Missouri, up to South Dakota to check out the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Needles Highway, and Devil’s Tower. From there, I’m hoping to cross Beartooth Pass and make my way into Missoula, Montana. Then it’s west along Lolo Pass into Oregon, cutting through the backcountry near The Dalles and down to Crater Lake.

From there, I’ll follow the Pacific Coast Highway all the way to Southern California—a first for me. Experiencing it for the first time on two wheels just feels right.

After that, I’ll cut east toward the Grand Canyon, then ride some long, wide-open desert highways to wrap up the trip. There’s something about the desert—it helps clear my mind like nothing else.

Getting Serious About Planning Link to heading

I usually wing it on motorcycle trips. Toss some gear in a bag, check the weather, and just go. But this time I’m trying something new—actual planning.

With my goal of leaving at the beginning of September, it’s time to get serious about dialing in the route, budget, gear, and logistics. I have the time now, so I’m taking advantage of it. While I still want to leave plenty of room for spontaneity, having a rough plan in place means I can ride with more peace of mind and fewer unknowns.

Motorcycle on a desert road Above: One of my favorite shots from a past ride—this trip is going to build on moments like this.

🗺️ Planned Route Overview Link to heading

  • Starting Point: St. Louis, Missouri
  • Estimated Duration: 20 days
  • Target Departure: Early September 2025
  • Travel Style: Mostly camping with a few motel stops
  • Vibe: Scenic, rugged, and personal—twisties, coastlines, and mind-clearing desert
  • The Bike: The Kawasaki Versys 650 has been a good steed for the past couple of years, but the Yamaha FZ1 need to be taken on a road trip again so I will go with that.

🏞️ Northern Route (Westbound) Link to heading

  • St. Louis, MO
  • South Dakota
    • Badlands National Park
    • Mount Rushmore
    • Needles Highway
    • Devil’s Tower (WY)
  • Beartooth Pass (MT/WY border)
  • Missoula, MT
  • Lolo Pass into Idaho
  • The Dalles, OR
  • Crater Lake, OR
  • Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) – all the way down through:
    • Northern California Redwoods
    • San Francisco
    • Big Sur
    • Santa Barbara
    • Southern California (LA or San Diego area)

🏜️ Southern Route (Eastbound) Link to heading

  • Grand Canyon, AZ
  • Long stretches of desert highways (AZ → NM → TX Panhandle)
  • Route back to St. Louis, MO via backroads

❓ Why This Trip Matters Link to heading

As I dig into the logistics—routes, budget, gear—I’m also thinking about why I’m doing this in the first place.

I’ve done shorter trips over the years, but this one feels like a chance to reset. To clear my head. To get away from the daily grind and spend time where things feel simple again—on the road.

In a world where almost everything is digital, I want to keep this ride as analog as I can. It’s not about being anti-tech—I appreciate the tools that make travel easier—but it’s about setting limits. I don’t want to carry my whole digital life on my back. I want to carry just what I need.

I already spend most of my days in front of a screen. This is my time to step away from that—to spend a few weeks each year focused on the real world around me.

🧭 Disconnected on Purpose: Riding Against the Current Link to heading

One of the things I look forward to most on rides like this is the chance to disconnect—really disconnect. Long stretches of road without notifications, screens, or the constant pull of the digital world. Just me, the bike, and the horizon.

But these days, that’s easier said than done.

Even simple things like booking a campsite, reserving a motel, or checking weather patterns seem to require a smartphone or a laptop. It’s like everything has been pulled into the matrix—even road trips.

I’ll still carry a GPS, because let’s face it—navigating major cities or remote backroads without it can be a headache. And the camera on my phone is better than anything I used to carry, so I’ll definitely be using it to capture the journey. But beyond that, I want to leave most of the tech behind.

No emails. No doomscrolling. No screens unless absolutely necessary.

I already spend my days in front of a computer—this trip is a way to step back from all that. A reset. A chance to live slower and more intentionally for a few weeks a year, with the precious time we have on this earth.

The plan is simple: pack light, ride free, and disconnect when I can. That’s when the real magic of a trip like this starts to happen.

Stay tuned for more…