This tour leads to popular winter destinations. Heading north-east from the Valley of the Sun the ride stays at lower elevations in order to avoid the freezing temperatures you'd encounter on the Colorado Plateau. The minimum time requirement is four days, but if you can allocate an extra day, you can either include the Mohave National Preserve or spend an extra night in Las Vegas and plunge into Sin City's magic a bit further. Even a side trip to the Valley of Fire can fit in your extra day in Vegas. Enjoy The Arizona Motorcycle Experience ®
Your motorcycle rental at AZride.com includes your points of interest, highlighted topographic maps and detailed itinerary. GPS files are also available upon request. |
Arizona West Coast 4 or 5 day Tour |
Duration: 4 or 5 days
Distance: 833 / 942 mi
Longest ride: 266 mi
Highest elevation: 4,780 ft
Highlights: Route 66, Oatman, Kingman, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Lake Havasu, Mojave National Preserve (5day tour), Parker Dam, Quartzsite,
London Bridge and more... |
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| Day 1 Scottsdale to Kingman – 250 mi |
The first stop at Lake Pleasant marks the theme of this tour. Probably this is the only desert ride on Earth dotted with so many lakes and this is only one aspect of the incredible diversity of this land. The ride to Route 66 town Kingman takes a scenic detour through the Waiver Mountains. Yarnell, at 4,780 ft elevation is the highest point of this tour. Famous frontier lawman Virgil Earp lived in Kirkland where you can check out the ghost of the historic Saloon and Steakhouse. Just ask about the murdered lady's image. |
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| Day 2 Kingman to Las Vegas – 105 mi |
The town's Route 66 Museum is truly unique in that it is a museum of history, housed in the unique and historical Powerhouse building, located in the “heart” of the longest remaining stretch of the 2400 miles that was Route 66. You can check out the exhibit before you head to Las Vegas. The museum is open from 9am. The Hoover Dam will impress you by a historic and a current architectural marvel. Former is the dam itself, which at the time completion was the largest concrete structure in the world while the latter is the Colorado River bridge (under construction) crossing the river 900 feet above and 1500 feet downstream of the Hoover Dam. |
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Consider an extra day in Las Vegas for more
fun and a side trip to the Valley of Fire. |
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| Day 3 (4 day tour) Las Vegas to Lake Havasu City - 212 mi |
For more Mother Road experience, the tour loops back to Kingman and follows Route 66 via the Sitgraves Pass and Oatman where wild burros freely roam the town and can be hand-fed carrots and "burro chow". Weekends in Oatman can see anything from classic car rallies to mock "Wild West" shootouts right down the middle of old 66. Another 54 miles is a leap in history. Lake Havasu City's London Bridge was in fact originally constructed in London, in 1831. |
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| Day 3 (5 day tour) Las Vegas to Laughlin - 208 mi |
| The longer version of this tour provides a relaxed ride through the Mohave National Preserve before joining the less exposed part of Historic Route 66 on the California side. Make sure you settle in at Laughlin at least two hours before sunset, so you'll have time to take a boat tour to Topock Gorge. Contact Captain Doyle ahead for scheduling the 1 1/2 hour trip. |
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| Day 4 (4 day tour) - Lake Havasu to Scottsdale - 266 mi |
The Parker Dam will give you the last glimpse of the 45 mile long Lake Havasu. With Lion Hill in the mirror the route slowly diverts from the Colorado River to enter the La Posa Plain which hosts the largest RV winter gathering place Quartzsite. The "Hi Jolly Monument" commemorates the U.S. Army Camel Corps and if you think that this is the only weird thing in this town, you're wrong. Get a nice homey lunch at Taco Mio and enjoy the rest of your ride back to Scottsdale via the back roads of Hassayampa Plain.
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Call us for Scottsdale accommodation |
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Day 4 (5 day tour) Laughlin to Lake Havasu- 113 mi |
Before leaving town, check out Don Laughlin's Classic Car Collection, and if you did not have time for the boat tour when you arrived, the opportunity is still there. The relatively short ride of this day allows more activity off the saddle, so take your time in Oatman, the lone survivor and a reminder of Mohave County's gold-mining boom where Wild Burros roam free. |
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Day 5 Lake Havasu City to Scottsdale - 266 mi |
This segment of the itinerary is identical to "Day 4" of the 4 day tour.. |
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Call us for Scottsdale accommodation |
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