Where To Sleep When Riding Motorcycle Cross Country 2024
Wondering where to sleep when riding motorcycle cross country?
The cross country motorcycle trip is a beloved rite of passage for bikers worldwide. If you have never experienced the freedom, adventure, and joy of the open road on your own bike, rest assured that you are missing out.
We rode our bikes 10,000 miles across 9 countries on an epic motorcycle journey. Figuring out where to sleep is something I have become an expert at while traveling by motorcycle.
A motorcycle road trip can teach you a lot about your bike, the landscape, and even your riding style.
However, before you head out on your trip, you will need to figure out a few details first. Most importantly, you should know where to sleep when riding a motorcycle cross country.
Where To Sleep When Riding a Motorcycle Cross Country
There is lots of enchanting scenery to bask in on a long-distance motorcycle trip, but after completing such a long ride, a comfortable spot to rest for the night will be your biggest concern.
So let’s dive into your best options for where to sleep when riding motorcycle cross country.
Hotels
Staying in hotel rooms is a good idea for a biker on a long-distance motorcycle ride. Clean rooms, hot showers, comfortable beds, and other amenities provide a great end to a long trip day.
If you are trying to plan a budget-friendly motorcycle trip, hotel room prices can add up fast. Especially in fancy hotels.
Also, if you stop in a metropolitan area, you will likely stay in a busy city center. Gas stations, food, and everything else will be more expensive.
Unless they are very upscale, most hotels take cash or credit cards as payment, so they are flexible. When choosing a hotel, make sure it is motorcycle friendly.
Motorcycle-friendly hotels provide safe parking or garage access and flexible check-in/out times. I like to check for motorcycle-friendly hotels on Booking.com
Once you book enough times through Booking.com you can start earning rewards to get discounts on your stays. Totally worth it.
Motels
If you are determined to spend less hard-earned money on hotel accommodations during your motorcycle road trip, staying at a motel is a great choice.
Motels and budget hotels provide a decent place to board for the night at a cheaper rate. We love motels for long-distance motorcycling on our small 125cc bikes.
With motels, you can pull your motorcycle inside the door and sleep with it next to your bed!
Of course, the amenities are usually less impressive because you get what you pay for. Linens and towels will come from lower quality cloth, etc. Bathroom and light fixtures might need to be updated, and sometimes WIFI will not be available.
However, these concerns might not bother you if you stay for a short time. Or if you are used to budget traveling like we are.
Try to check out reviews online to see what other guests have experienced. I also use Booking.com to find the best motels. You can view the motel options ranked in order by price and best reviews.
Also, ensure the motel is in a good part of town to avoid putting yourself in a dangerous situation or getting your motorcycle stolen if you plan to leave it outside.
Airbnb, VRBO, and Other Short-Term Rentals
Aside from hotels and motels, various short-term rentals provide a suitable place to hunker down on your cross country ride.
Short-term rentals usually cost less than hotels. In addition, they often come with kitchens where you can cook your own food instead of spending money on eating out.
Unfortunately, short-term rentals are less abundant than hotels and motels. They will not have on-call staff and cannot be as responsive as a front desk. You’ll need to plan your accommodations further in advance as well.
If you go for the short-term rental option, check out online reviews from other guests where possible. The pictures of the property might be impressive, but aesthetics aren’t your only concern.
It’s best to double-check parking availability, so you know your bike will be safe for the night.
Guesthouses and B&Bs
If you are trying to figure out where to sleep when riding motorcycles cross country, B&Bs and guesthouses could be great choices. They are much more unique and intimate than hotels and motels.
Staying at guesthouses and B&Bs during your cross country ride can be a fantastic experience. Lots of guesthouses and B&Bs are themed with awesome, unique furnishings and decor. You can get home-cooked meals, and the accommodations are usually very personalized.
For travelers who are less social or who like their privacy, bed and breakfasts or guesthouses might feel too invasive and uncomfortable.
However, if you like socializing with others, it provides a great benefit. The people who run guesthouses and B&Bs usually have great knowledge of the surrounding areas and helpful tips for cross country motorcycle trips.
Hostels
Looking for places to sleep on your cross country ride can take a lot of planning, but here is another alternative to traditional hotels and motels.
Hostels are more popular outside of the United States, but we still have many hostels. These are usually aimed at backpackers and travelers looking for an affordable place to stay.
They are cheaper than any other accommodations, but this perk comes at its own price. Moreover, since they are aimed at backpackers who usually take public transport, parking might not be available for your bike.
Ensure secure parking and plenty of space for your bike to enter and exit. If the hostel you choose only offers public dorms, keep a close eye on your belongings. Most hostels offer lockers to keep your things safe.
The best way to quickly find hostels and compare ratings is Hostelworld. You can search by city or town and search through reviews and amenities (like private parking!) available to you.
If you travel during the off-season, you have a higher chance of securing a private room.
Motorcycle Camping
Motorcycle camping is another option. There are endless organized private campsites where you can pull up your bike, unpack your sleeping bag, and relax for the night.
Of course, you can also bring a tent and other camping gear. Things like an inflatable mattress and cooking utensils will always come in handy.
Either way, you can spend your days and nights experiencing nature’s beauty up close for much cheaper than other traditional lodging options.
RV Parks
These privately owned parks are all over the United States, though each RV park is vastly different from the last. Some have lots of amenities, some are very small, some are cheap, and some are expensive.
Many RV parks have sections for tent-only camping without water hookups, so you pay less nightly.
Additionally, most RV parks have owners who reside somewhere on the property or caretakers who look after it for them. This means you will always have access to help should you need it.
Each RV park on your motorcycle cross country trip will feature different services and rules to abide by; it’s not a one size fits all option.
The majority of RV parks are motorcycle friendly, so you can rest easy leaving your bike there overnight.
Parks
State parks and national parks are beautiful places to take shelter after a long ride. These parks are set aside by the federal government as public land. They are protected and preserved for everyone to enjoy.
Whether it’s a national forest, wetland, desert, or beach, there are endless amounts of breathtaking landscapes at national and state parks in the United States.
Unfortunately, staying at a public park is not free; you typically have to pay an entrance fee and sometimes more if the park is very popular.
Thankfully, motorcycle fees are usually cheaper, even more so if you buy an annual pass.
Keep in mind that camping rules at these parks are usually very strict and must be followed. Typically there are park rangers nearby to enforce them.
Couch Surfing
Couch surfing is awesome because this is another (possibly) free option for those searching for a place to sleep on their motorcycle journey.
If you have friends and family around the country, you could ask for temporary lodgings on your trip.
Or you could check out local Facebook groups, hosting websites, and forums that offer bikers places to sleep for a little bit. ADV Rider Forum is a great example and has tons of opportunities for hopeful couch surfers.
If you are on a strict schedule, couch surfing may only work for you if you stay with friends and family.
Finding a place and coordinating with a host could take time, and you might end up stranded for the night if you don’t have enough time to coordinate.
Bunk-a-Biker
As mentioned above, there are websites dedicated to helping bikers find a place to stay while traveling long distances on two wheels. Bunk-a-Biker is one of those websites.
It provides a community of fellow motorcycle riders who volunteer to host travelers during their road trip journeys.
Bunk-a-Biker is a free network that can help you meet new friends and even find support for other issues like bike maintenance and road trip route planning.
Not only will Bunk-a-Biker save you money, but it can also foster bonds with other bikers that last a lifetime.
There are Bunk-a-Bikers Facebook groups for more than 20 countries, so you can find a place to sleep across the country or the globe.
Wild Camping
There is one way to spend next to nothing on lodging for your cross country motorcycle ride, and that’s wild camping.
Organized camping at private campgrounds is cheap, but it’s not free. With wild camping, it’s just you, your bike, and wild mother nature.
Wild camping does mean more work, though, and calls for more gear. You have to bring enough food and water for your stay. Also, keep in mind that it is not always safe to pull over to the side of the road and set up camp.
Unlike campgrounds, you won’t find showers or clean drinking water while wild camping. Also, ensure your food is packed away to avoid attracting local wildlife.
However, this is one of the most adventurous and easiest ways to save money.
Motorcycle Cross Country Riding Tips
There are many more concerns to address other than where to sleep when riding motorcycles cross country, so here is a handy guide full of tips on getting the most out of your trip.
Plan Your Route
You could jump on your bike and go where the road takes you, but things usually go smoother when you pick a destination out in advance.
Personally, I prefer early mornings, riding into the late afternoon. Then ending our day of travel once we reach our destined rest stops, where we can plan out our journey for the next day.
This way, you don’t have to spend the day wondering where to sleep when riding motorcycle cross country, and you can sit back and enjoy the ride.
You can check out Recreation.gov for lots of resources and inspiration on routes, destinations, and even activities along the way. Roadtrippers is another great option to help you plan your route.
Use an App or Booking Website
Once you figure out where you want to end up, it’s time to consult a map or two. You can use motorcycle trip mapping apps like:
👉 Rever
👉 Calimoto
👉 Harley Davidson’s Ride Planner
👉 and my personal favorite: iOverlander
You can see road conditions ahead of your trip and in real-time. You can also mark points of interest, hotels, campgrounds, and more.
With a planned, mapped route, you can stop stressing about lodging and start enjoying your trip.
Bring the Right Gear
You are going to have to carry some essential tools and gear with you while embarking on a long-distance motorcycle trip.
First and foremost, it’s best to have a luggage rack on your bike to carry whatever you need.
Next, think about the worst-case scenario and bring a first aid kit, paper maps, and even a motorcycle tool kit.
Check the weather forecast every single day. Also, bringing protective gear and rain gear along is something I strongly recommend.
Don’t forget a guardian bell for your motorcycle! Especially for long-distance rides.
Other things like warm clothing, earplugs, cleaning supplies, a motorcycle cover, toiletries, and a spare key could save you from several frustrating (and costly) situations.
It’s always nice to have extra gear along, but be sure not to weigh down your bike too much. And properly distribute the weight of your motorcycle gear.
Ensure Your Bike Is in Excellent Condition
If you want a seamless, enjoyable trip, then you have to start way before you pull out of your driveway.
Making sure your bike is in top shape should be priority number one when planning a motorcycle trip across the country.
Otherwise, you could risk your bike breaking down in the middle of nowhere, and if you are traveling alone, that is a huge nightmare.
A tune-up before your trip is a must if you want to avoid that fate. It would help if you had your tires checked out along with your fluids and your oil.
Look for any worn parts before a longer ride and replace them in advance. And make sure you adjust the suspension on your bike for the extra luggage weight for a smoother ride.
Prepare for Possible Breakdowns
It would help if you spent much time preparing for and planning your trip before the day of your trip. However, keep in mind that even with all the planning in the world, bad things can and do happen.
It is always good to have a backup plan.
You can celebrate if you get from your starting point to your final destination without any trouble! But always plan for some issues to come up.
A motorcycle tool kit and a spare key are important parts of your essential gear because you will probably need them. It’s also a good idea to keep a repair kit and inflation tool for a potential flat tire.
Getting signed up for a roadside assistance plan in advance could save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run.
Choose a policy that includes breakdowns, towing, dead batteries, and flat tires. Though full disclosure, these plans can be costly depending on the insurance company.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s normal to have lots of questions while researching a place to sleep when riding a motorcycle across the country. So, before you go, here are answers to a few FAQs.
How much distance should you ride in a day?
This depends on experience level. For example, experienced riders might be fine with 400 miles a day, whereas newer riders might prefer 150-200.
Road type, terrain, and weather conditions might affect your daily riding distance as well. 250-300 miles per day is a good middle ground where you can see plenty of sights while making a good time.
Should you book accommodations in advance?
It’s okay to book your accommodations in advance if you are using a B&B, campground, public park, or short-term rental.
Otherwise, it’s best to wait until the day before or the day off if you can manage.
It would be best if you kept your itinerary as flexible as possible, especially on a motorcycle, because you don’t want to get stuck with cancellation or late fees.
How do you stay comfortable on a cross country ride?
Most importantly, have a comfortable helmet, and go for a full-face helmet rather than half face.
It will protect from weather, debris, insects, and wind. It would help if you also got earplugs to avoid ear damage. They muffle the sound of the road, roaring winds, and your engine.
Make sure you have good weight distribution when packing your motorcycle for long road trips.
Consider an air cushion or a gel seat pad for your motorcycle as well.
What engine size is best for cross country motorcycle riding?
The answer to this question depends on the rider and the kind of trip you want to take.
I may be a little biased.
But even though we didn’t reach the fastest speeds on our 125cc motorcycles, our journey through Mexico and Central America on our Honda Monkeys was one of the greatest adventures I have ever had.
We even completed an Iron Butt SaddSore 1000 on our small 125cc bikes! When we are talking about long motorcycle trips, that was one hell of an endurance ride.
Smaller bikes, even a bike with a 250cc engine, are going to give you better gas mileage and a chance to see the world with plenty of time.
However, some people don’t like a slow pace on long motorcycle trips. If you want top performance, touring bikes with a 750cc engine at the minimum are best if you want to ensure excellent performance.
In the end, the engine size doesn’t matter. What matters is what type of adventure you want to have for a great experience on your cross country motorcycle trip.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, a lot of factors go into planning the perfect long-distance motorcycle ride.
Figuring out where to sleep when riding a motorcycle cross country can feel overwhelming at first, but there are tons of options out there.
When I picked out the perfect bike and left on my journey, I didn’t realize how many places were available for riders to sleep. I hope this article helped show you the world is yours.
With a little forethought and a completed checklist, you could end up with a road trip you will never forget. Of course, nothing is perfect and unexpected events will occur.
Still, no matter what, it will prove to be one of the most rewarding journeys you can ever experience.