Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Motorcycle Group Tour
A legendary guided motorcycle journey from jazz-filled New Orleans to Chicago via music, mountains and iconic roads
This unforgettable 14-night guided motorcycle tour carries you from the soulful streets of New Orleans to the iconic skyline of Chicago, weaving together America’s most evocative music routes, legendary riding roads and deeply rooted regional culture. From Louisiana bayous and Mississippi blues towns to Tennessee’s musical heartlands and the Appalachian Mountains, every mile tells a story of rhythm, rebellion and the open road.
Along the way, you’ll follow the Mississippi Blues Trail, visit Jack Daniel’s Distillery, enjoy a full free day in Nashville, and conquer two of America’s most famous rides — the Tail of the Dragon and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Expert guides, a supportive riding group, and hand-picked overnight stops make this an immersive, stress-free journey through the heart of the USA.
Our prices include optional insurances
Tours run on selected dates May - September
Single rider or Rider + Pillion options
14 night motorbike group tour from £5,888pp including flights
Highlights
Ride the legendary Tail of the Dragon and cruise the breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway
Follow the Mississippi Blues Trail through Clarksdale, Memphis and musical Americana
Enjoy a free day in Nashville plus a visit to the iconic Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Finish your epic ride beneath Chicago’s world-famous skyline
Your itinerary
Day 1: New Orleans, LA
Arrival into the soulful heart of the Deep South
Arrive in New Orleans, where jazz rhythms, Cajun flavours and historic streets create the perfect opening chapter. Meet your fellow riders and guides, explore the French Quarter, and enjoy live music drifting from every corner. This evening is about settling in, soaking up the atmosphere, and preparing for the unforgettable journey ahead.
If you are able, we highly recommend an extra night in New Orleans prior to your tour to give you time to settle in and explore before starting your tour.
1 Night in
New Orleans, LA
Arrival
Day
Day 2: new orleans to Baton Rouge, LA
Bayous, river roads, and a gentle introduction to Southern riding
Your first day in the saddle eases you into the rhythm of the Deep South, leaving New Orleans along scenic backroads that trace the Mississippi River and weave through bayou country. Moss-draped oak trees, sugarcane fields, and sleepy river towns define today’s ride, offering relaxed cruising and classic Southern scenery. Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital, welcomes you with warm hospitality, lively riverfront views, and excellent local cuisine — a comfortable first overnight stop that perfectly balances riding enjoyment with cultural immersion.
1 Night in
Baton Rouge, LA
85 miles
DAY 3: Baton Rouge - Natchez, MS
Antebellum elegance and timeless Mississippi River scenery
Heading north, today’s ride follows historic trade routes through fertile countryside and charming Southern towns. The road flows easily, allowing you to enjoy the landscapes shaped by the Mississippi River for centuries. Arriving in Natchez feels like stepping into another era — the city is renowned for its beautifully preserved antebellum mansions, bluff-top views over the river, and rich Southern heritage. As evening falls, enjoy a relaxed stroll through the historic district or watch the sun set across the Mississippi, soaking in the atmosphere of one of the South’s most elegant towns.
1 Night in
Natchez, MS
120 miles
DAY 4: Natchez - Clarksdale, MS
Into the Delta — birthplace of the blues
Today you ride deep into the Mississippi Delta, following roads steeped in musical history and cultural legacy. Long, open stretches pass cotton fields and small towns that helped shape America’s blues tradition. Clarksdale, often called the birthplace of the blues, is where legends like Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson once played. After parking the bikes, explore iconic juke joints, blues clubs, and local museums that tell the story of music born from hardship and hope. Few places capture the soul of the American South quite like Clarksdale.
1 Night in
Clarksdale, MS
200 miles
DAY 5: Clarksdale - Memphis, TN
From Delta blues to rock ’n’ roll royalty
The road north delivers you from rural Mississippi straight into one of America’s great music capitals. Crossing into Tennessee, the ride remains relaxed and scenic before the skyline of Memphis appears along the Mississippi River. Memphis is synonymous with musical history — from Sun Studio and Graceland to Beale Street’s neon-lit clubs. After arrival, riders can explore Elvis Presley’s legacy, enjoy legendary barbecue, or wander Beale Street where blues still echo late into the night.
1 Night in
Memphis, TN
120 miles
DAY 6: Memphis - Florence, AL
Quiet Southern roads and riverside charm
Leaving Memphis behind, today’s ride shifts pace as you travel southeast into Alabama. The route blends gentle curves, farmland, and peaceful river landscapes, offering a welcome contrast to the buzz of recent cities. Florence sits along the Tennessee River and forms part of the historic Muscle Shoals music region, known for shaping American rock, soul, and country music. With its relaxed pace and scenic surroundings, Florence is an ideal overnight stop to recharge before the next musical milestone.
1 Night in
Florence, AL
175 miles
DAYs 7 & 8: Florence - Nashville, TN
Music legends, whiskey heritage, and a well-earned pause in America’s Soundtrack City
Today’s ride delivers one of the tour’s cultural highlights as you wind through rolling Tennessee countryside toward Lynchburg, home of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Set among green hills and quiet backroads, this stop offers a fascinating insight into one of America’s most iconic whiskey brands before continuing north to Nashville. With two nights in Music City, you’ll have time to fully immerse yourself in its energy — from legendary honky-tonks along Broadway to the Country Music Hall of Fame and historic recording studios. Whether you explore live music venues, enjoy Southern cuisine, or simply relax, Nashville provides the perfect blend of riding reward and downtime before the journey continues east.
2 Nights in
Nashville, TN
240 miles
DAY 9: Nashville - Townsend, TN
Countryside curves toward the Smoky Mountains
Leaving Nashville, the route becomes increasingly scenic as farmland gives way to wooded hills and sweeping curves. The ride feels purposeful yet relaxed, building anticipation for tomorrow’s bucket-list roads. Townsend, often called the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” is a quiet mountain town surrounded by forested ridgelines. Tonight is all about rest, anticipation, and preparing for one of the most famous motorcycle days in North America.
1 Night in
Townsend, TN
150 miles
DAY 10: Townsend - Asheville, NC
Tail of the Dragon and Blue Ridge Parkway brilliance
Today delivers two of America’s most celebrated motorcycle roads. First comes the legendary Tail of the Dragon — 318 curves in just 11 miles — a thrilling, technical ride revered by riders worldwide. From there, the journey flows seamlessly onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, where long sweeping bends, tunnels, and panoramic mountain views create riding perfection. The day concludes in Asheville, a vibrant mountain city known for its arts scene, craft breweries, and welcoming atmosphere.
1 Night in
Asheville, NC
220 miles
DAY 11: Asheville - Pikeville, KY
High elevations, mountain tunnels, and Appalachian character
You continue along sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway, enjoying more elevated riding, scenic overlooks, and beautifully engineered curves. Gradually descending into Kentucky, the landscape shifts into rugged Appalachian terrain. Pikeville is surrounded by forested hills and steep valleys, offering a strong sense of place and mountain culture. It’s a rewarding day of riding that blends technical roads with sweeping scenery.
1 Night in
Pikesville, KY
250 miles
DAY 12: Pikeville - Louisville, KY
Coal country roads to bourbon-state energy
Today’s route carries you through eastern Kentucky’s hills before opening into smoother, more expansive riding as you head toward Louisville. The scenery transitions from rugged mountains to rolling countryside, reflecting Kentucky’s diverse landscapes. Louisville combines Southern charm with urban vibrancy, offering great dining, historic neighbourhoods, and a strong bourbon heritage. It’s a lively overnight stop that bridges Appalachia and the Midwest.
1 Night in
Louisville, KY
240 miles
DAY 13: Louisville → Champaign, IL
Heartland highways and classic Midwest cruising
Crossing the Ohio River into Illinois, today is all about relaxed cruising through America’s heartland. Open farmland, wide roads, and gentle rhythms define the ride, giving you time to reflect on the journey so far. Champaign, a friendly college town, offers a relaxed atmosphere, local dining, and an easy evening after a solid day in the saddle.
1 Night in
Champaign, IL
300 miles
DAY 14: Champaign - Chicago, IL
Final miles into the Windy City and a memorable farewell to an epic American ride
Your final riding day carries you north across the flat farmlands of Illinois, an easy and reflective stretch that contrasts beautifully with the mountains, curves, and culture experienced earlier in the journey. As Chicago’s iconic skyline rises ahead, the sense of achievement is unmistakable — you’ve completed an extraordinary multi-state motorcycle adventure through the heart of America. After arriving in the Windy City, enjoy a celebratory final evening with your fellow riders, sharing stories, laughs, and memories made on the road. On your final morning, it’s time to say goodbye — departing with new friendships, unforgettable rides behind you, and the satisfaction of completing one truly legendary journey.
We highly recommend adding an additional night in Chicago to give you time to explore before flying home, please let us know if you would like this added to your quote.
1 Night in
Chicago, IL
200 miles
We recommend adding an extra night at the beginning and end of your trip to make the journey smoother and more relaxed. Just let us know if you’d like this included in your quote.
We would expect maximum temperatures to be in the 20°C - 30°C range in the midwest and 25°C - 35°C in the south and southwestern states
Flight times to/from Chicago is around 8 hours and Los Angeles is approx 11 hours. You’ll drive through 3 time zones. Chicago is 5 hours and Los Angeles is 8 hours behind the UK.
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