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Not sure if there is a topic or heading that addresses this, but here it goes. I'll be riding from the southern tier of NY to Jacksonville Fla, in spring of 2025. Any and all advice on routes and must see / stay places along the way, is appreciated. Mad respect to those still riding in November. I ride year round. With 41 years under my belt. My first ride south of W.Va.
In late Feb I head down from where I Iive in N.E. NC to Florida. Daytona BW then over to the Gulf coast where I have friends and Family.
Unless you love interstates I like secondary roads. We have Route 17. Sometimes 2 lanes but mostly 4 lanes now. I make my way over to "Little Washington" (Washington NC) and get on 17. I sometimes stop in North Myrtle Beach at the Best Western. Why? One block away is the best Irish pub called Molly Darcys. Another place I stay is near Charleston, SC in Mt Pleasant. A little area called Shem Creek. Nice area.
The next morning back on Rt 17 down to where it meets up with I95. I put up with that for awhile to make some miles, then off on the side roads again.
If you can make time, Bill's Old Bike Barn - 7145 Columbia Blvd. Bloomsburg, PA Just off 81.
Of course you don't have to wait until the ride to do this place. You're close enough. Give yourself at least a couple of hours there.
If you'e leaving from towards Corning, NY, two of my favorite roads are PA 44 and 144. You can pick them up off of rt 6. Flat twisties through the Endless Mts of the Appalachians.
Im originally from Long Island. Lived in NC for the past 30 years or so.
Ive ridden up to the Corning area and down to Florida from NC.
I think your best bet is to follow the route google lays out and avoid highways, tolls and ferry's. Adds mileage and time but its a much better ride than the slab. The interstates would definitely ofcourse be faster and certainly more dangerous .. other drivers and condition of the road but google avoidance is a much better ride.
Coincidentally .. I dont often go as far as Florida. Its just plain boring riding to me no matter which route you take. Flat. Not real curvy at all. I do plan on going down to visit Bert Black Widow Harley in St Pete maybe ride the Natchez Trace before heading home. Oh and Hellfighters motorcycle shop !!
Last edited by sumncguy; Nov 12, 2024 at 09:54 AM.
Not sure if there is a topic or heading that addresses this, but here it goes. I'll be riding from the southern tier of NY to Jacksonville Fla, in spring of 2025. Any and all advice on routes and must see / stay places along the way, is appreciated. Mad respect to those still riding in November. I ride year round. With 41 years under my belt. My first ride south of W.Va.
Southern tier of NYcould mean anything from LI to Newburgh. If reasonable, get to I84 W to I81 S. From there you have a million places to stay and explore till you get to I64 E through Charlottesville Va and jump back onto 95S to Jax. Or what I usually do on my March trip to Florida every year, take 81 S to I77S to 26 E and back on 95 SC. How long do you have to make the ride to Jax?
Southern tier of NYcould mean anything from LI to Newburgh. If reasonable, get to I84 W to I81 S. From there you have a million places to stay and explore till you get to I64 E through Charlottesville Va and jump back onto 95S to Jax. Or what I usually do on my March trip to Florida every year, take 81 S to I77S to 26 E and back on 95 SC. How long do you have to make the ride to Jax?
I live in NC now but my hometown is Rochester, NY.
I don't think you understand "Southern Tier". It's generally from Binghamton west to Jamestown. Just South of the Finger Lakes. Also you recommend a lot of Interstates. Not for me but maybe the OP won't mind.
Last edited by glasspilot; Nov 13, 2024 at 06:03 AM.
@Fran To , a little more info on your desires would help us with comments.
For if the objective is simply to beat feet and get there, that's far different than taking a few days to get there.
Similar the things that have your interest or curiousity. Such as history or outdoor gardens or what have you.
Even regarding places to stay. Are you simply looking for a bed to sleep in, to camp, or do you want someplace with a bar and night life?
I'm originally from Binghamton, still have family there. Been in NC since 1987, so I've made the trip up/back many times. I go down I-81 to Harrisburg and then get on US15. Or get off 81 at Winchester and make your way over to US15. US15 around Leesburg to Warrenton can get a little jammed up, but there's some nice horse country and farms to look at. Whatever you do avoid I-95 around Baltimore all the way past Richmond. South of Richmond it gets better, but I still prefer to avoid I-95. Depending on how long you have, you could take the western route through WVA (did that in 2023 down US220, beautiful) or the eastern route down the DelMarVa peninsula. (we plan to take that one direction when we ride up/back in summer 2025) As mentioned if you have time, when you get to NC take 17 down part of the coast. Next summer we're planning NC to Binghamton to southern Maine and back.
Riding from NY to Fl
