Get Out, Discover & Explore
Explore the best motorcycle routes in Wisconsin
Best Motorcycle Routes Around the Driftless Region
by Becky Fitzgerald, friend and fan of Lucky’s
There’s something special about exploring Wisconsin on two wheels. With rolling hills, winding backroads, river valleys and beautiful lake views, the Driftless Region – a unique area untouched by glaciers during the last Ice Age – is home to some of the best motorcycle routes in Wisconsin.
Your home base to explore
Whether you’re searching for motorcycle routes near me, scenic motorcycle routes or the perfect weekend ride from Madison, Lucky’s Lodge in Lodi is a great place to start. Located just off the interstate, our lodge puts some of the best southern Wisconsin motorcycle routes right at your beck and call.
Make Lucky’s Lodge your home base to explore the Driftless Region. Then, after a full day on the road, park your bike for the night, settle into our cozy, newly built lodge and enjoy a meal just across the parking lot at Lucky’s Bar & Grille on Lake Wisconsin.
These day rides are favorites for my husband, Jim, and me, and we want to share them with you. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do! – Becky Fitzgerald
Hillsboro Motorcycle Route
Start: Lucky’s Lodge
End: Hillsboro
Stats: 50 miles | 1 hr 10 mins
Route: Merrimac Ferry ➔ Baraboo ➔ Reedsburg ➔ LaValle
This is one of our favorite Wisconsin motorcycle routes, thanks to its combination of scenic farmland, sweeping views and charming small towns.
Start the first half of this trip by taking the Merrimac Ferry, located just a few minutes from Lucky’s Lodge. When you exit the ferry, head to Baraboo, where there are many tourist attractions, such as the Circus World Museum, AL. Ringling Mansion and a quaint town square with bars, restaurants and shops.
From Baraboo, you’ll travel through breathtaking farmland as you pass through Reedsburg amd LaValle and then arrive in Hillsboro. We like to stop here and eat at Hillsboro Brewing before continuing our ride.
The Scenic Return Trip
Start: Hillsboro
End: Lucky’s Lodge
Stats: 80 miles | 1 hr 45 mins
Route: Richland Center ➔ Spring Green ➔ Sauk City ➔ Prairie du Sac
The return trip features some of the most scenic motorcycle routes in southern Wisconsin. After lunch, head south on Highway 80 towards Richland Center.
Enjoy the bluffs and winding countryside as you make your way back to Lucky’s Lodge, passing through Richland Center, Spring Green, Sauk City and Prairie du Sac. Feel free to go off the beaten path on one of the county highways. We especially like Highway B between Spring Green and Sauk City.
After Prairie du Sac, you’ll pass over the Wisconsin River, and you can choose to wind along Lake Wisconsin on Highway 188 or take Highway J to JV to V through beautiful farmland before returning to Lucky’s Lodge.
Baraboo / Tumbled Rock Brewery & Kitchen Motorcycle Route
Start: Lucky’s Lodge
End: Baraboo
Stats: 12 miles | 25-40 mins (depending on ferry wait time)
Route: Merrimac Ferry ➔ Baraboo
If you’re looking for a shorter motorcycle route near Madison, Wisconsin, this ride delivers incredible scenery with plenty of great food stops.
Start this trip by taking Highway 113 to the Merrimac Ferry, located just a few minutes from Lucky’s Lodge. When you exit the ferry, take Highway 78 south/113 north towards Baraboo. Along the way, you’ll pass the Ferry Crossing Bar, known for its burgers, and H’s Place, a local favorite for deep-dish and thin-crust pizza.
Turn right onto Highway 113 and take in the rolling hills ahead, which are especially gorgeous in autumn. Taking a left on County Highway DL will take you past multiple entrances to Devil’s Lake State Park. You’ll come upon Tumbled Rock Brewery & Kitchen on your right, which often has music in the summertime, lawn games and a sprawling patio.
Prairie du Chien Motorcycle Route
Start: Lucky’s Lodge
End: Prairie du Chien
Stats: Approximately 100 miles | 2 hours
Route: Lucky’s Lodge ➔ Spring Green ➔ Boscobel ➔ Wauzeka ➔ Prairie du Chien
When riders ask us about the best motorcycle routes in Wisconsin, this longer ride is always near the top of our list. It’s easy to remember – simply head west on Highway 60 all the way to Prairie du Chien.
Just shy of the city of Richland Center, the road curves and hugs the river, treating you to magnificent vistas for miles. Boscobel offers some great lunch options as a halfway point.
When you get to Prairie du Chien, be sure to cross the Mississippi River into Iowa and hike Pikes Peak State Park, where you can see stunning views, including where the Wisconsin River empties into the Mississippi. Prairie du Chien offers many bars, restaurants, shops and places to stay.
Backtrack to Lucky’s Lodge and stop in Spring Green on the way, where you can visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, House on the Rock and American Players Theatre.
Wedl’s Hamburger Stand & Ice Cream Parlor Motorcycle Route
Start: Lucky’s Lodge
End: Jefferson
Stats: Approximately 64 miles | 90 minutes (traffic dependent)
Route: Lucky’s Lodge ➔ Springfield Corners ➔ Cambridge ➔ Jefferson
This motorcycle route near Madison, Wisconsin, combines small-town charm, local history and plenty of worthwhile stops along the way.
Head into Lodi on Highway 113, where you’ll roll through our quaint downtown before continuing south to Highway P and taking the first exit at the roundabout. Head east on Highway 12 before merging onto Highway 18, also known as the Beltline Highway, around Madison. Stay on Highway 18 all the way to Jefferson, where you can stop for lunch at Wedl’s Hamburger Stand & Ice Cream Parlor, a historic hamburger stand serving burgers from the same griddle stand since 1916.
On your ride back to Lodi, make a stop in Cambridge at Rowe Pottery, established in 1975. If you’re in the mood for a cold beverage, stop at Springfield Corners at the intersection of Highway 12 and Highway P. This local mainstay dates back to 1856, when it was built as a store, and still features some of its original wood floors.
For another detour along this Wisconsin motorcycle route, head to Dane, where you’ll find several favorite local watering holes, including Tootsie’s Bar & Grill, Peg & Doc’s Sports Bar & Grill and The Ranch Saloon. From there, continue back toward Lodi and Lucky’s Lodge to wrap up another great day on the road.
Why Riders Choose Lucky’s Lodge
After spending the day exploring some of the great motorcycle routes throughout southern Wisconsin, relax and recharge at Lucky’s Lodge.
Our convenient location near Lake Wisconsin makes us the perfect basecamp for riders looking to explore multiple motorcycle ride routes in Wisconsin over several days.
You’ll enjoy:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find good motorcycle routes?
One of the best ways to find good motorcycle routes near me is by looking for scenic backroads, state highways and designated scenic byways. Southern Wisconsin offers excellent riding, thanks to its rolling hills, river valleys and low-traffic country roads. Online resources like Scenic Byways can also help you discover new rides throughout the state.
How do I plan a great motorcycle route?
Start by deciding how far you’d like to ride, then identify scenic roads, interesting stops and places to eat along the way. A motorcycle route planner can help balance riding time with attractions, overlooks and rest stops. Staying overnight at a centrally located destination like Lucky’s Lodge allows you to enjoy multiple day rides without packing up each morning.
How do I make a Wisconsin motorcycle route in Google Maps?
While Google Maps doesn’t have a dedicated motorcycle mode, you can still create custom motorcycle ride routes in Wisconsin by adding multiple stops and choosing scenic backroads over major highways. Use the “Avoid Highways” feature to help find quieter roads with more curves and beautiful scenery.
For even more motorcycle-focused planning, many riders use dedicated motorcycle route planner apps that prioritize winding roads, elevation changes and scenic routes. Planning ahead ensures you’ll spend more time enjoying the ride and less time navigating.
