The Trans-America Trail (TAT) stretches roughly 5,000 miles from eastern Tennessee to the Oregon coast, primarily on unpaved roads, forest service trails, and fire roads. It's the ultimate American off-road adventure, and it's entirely achievable on a properly prepared adventure motorcycle.
Route Overview
Created by Sam Correro in the late 1980s, the TAT links together thousands of miles of back roads across 10 states: Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The route avoids highways wherever possible, favoring gravel, dirt, and the occasional gnarly two-track.
When to Ride
The ideal window is late May through September. Earlier than May and you'll face snow in the Colorado Rockies and muddy conditions across the Midwest. After September, shorter days and cold temperatures at elevation make for miserable riding. June and September offer the best balance of good weather and fewer crowds.
Bike Preparation
You don't need a full-on enduro machine, but your bike should be comfortable on loose surfaces. Popular choices include the Honda Africa Twin, KTM 890 Adventure R, Yamaha Ténéré 700, and BMW R 1300 GS. Key mods to consider:
- Crash bars and skid plate
- Knobby or 50/50 tires (Motoz Tractionator or Continental TKC 80)
- Radiator guard
- Handlebar risers for standing comfort
- Auxiliary fuel (some segments are 100+ miles between gas stations)
Navigation
The original TAT GPX tracks are available from Sam Correro's website. Load them onto a dedicated GPS unit (Garmin Montana or equivalent) as your primary navigation. Use your phone with offline maps as backup, but don't rely on it — cell service is nonexistent for long stretches.
Best Segments
Colorado Rockies (Days 8–12): High-altitude passes, stunning mountain scenery, and challenging terrain. The ride over Engineer Pass is a highlight of the entire trail.
Utah Canyonlands (Days 13–15): Red rock desert, wide-open vistas, and solitude. The riding here is mostly fast gravel with occasional sand washes.
Oregon Cascades (Days 20–22): Dense forests, volcanic landscapes, and a triumphant finish at the Pacific Coast.
Budget
Plan for roughly $100–150/day including fuel, food, and occasional motel stays. If you camp most nights (which you should — it's the best part), you can stretch this to $75–100/day. Total budget for a 3-week crossing: $2,000–3,500.
The TAT is a ride of a lifetime. It's challenging, remote, and wildly beautiful. Start planning now — the trail isn't going anywhere, but your window of free time might be.
Overland Biker
Adventure Motorcycle Community