Home Arizona Virgin River Gorge, AZ: Best Interstate Riding

Virgin River Gorge, AZ: Best Interstate Riding

Of the 1,433 miles that Interstate 15 runs north and south from Mexico to Canada, there is no other 14 mile stretch more beautiful and pleasurable as the Virgin River Gorge.

It runs entirely through the State of Arizona, in the north-west corner of the State, following the the Virgin River through a twisting, winding canyon in the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau.

Riding the super-slab has always been that of a necessity rather than a preference to most motorcycle riders, who often take their time getting from Point A to Point B along the lesser known thoroughfares. But there are those rare occasions where riding the Interstate can offer breathtaking views, and even throw in some fun wide sweepers too.

That's the Virgin River Gorge.

When this stretch of the I-15 opened up in 1972, it was hailed as one of the most scenic portions of Interstate in the USA, as well as one of the most expensive, with numerous bridges and roadways perched atop canyon walls. At a cost of $1 million per mile, it was declared an "engineering marvel" of the Interstate System.

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The curves are wide, but are a blast to ride through. Even though curve signs are posted for 55mph, you can easily glide through them on a motorcycle at 80mph, flying smoothly over the recently repaved highway as you're treated to views of majestic canyon walls jutting up from the road. However, be on the lookout for Arizona Highway Patrol, it's said that they frequently harvest funds out of this portion of Interstate.

Fortunately for Sash and I, we didn't encounter any.

The only other section of Interstate I can think of that offers similarly breathtaking views and sweeping curves one after another, is the Glenwood Canyon section of the I-70 through the Colorado Rockies.

Most riders in California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona have long experienced the Virgin River Gorge. For those of you elsewhere, make a point to give it a ride.