How do I avoid interstates on a motorcycle route?

In MotoCurve pick the Curvy route style, which already avoids highways, and set Motorways to High or Max under Avoid roads. The planner then routes over back roads wherever there is one.

What is the difference between motorways and main roads?

Motorways are interstates and other limited-access freeways. Main roads are busy highways that are not freeways, like many US and state routes. MotoCurve has a separate slider for each.

Will avoiding highways make the ride much longer?

Usually somewhat longer, sometimes a lot on a long trip. The route summary shows the distance and time before you ride, and Balanced is a middle ground when you need to arrive.

Can I avoid toll roads too?

Yes. Avoid roads has sliders for toll roads, ferries and unpaved roads as well as motorways and main roads.

Guide

How to avoid highways on a motorcycle ride

Car navigation is built to save minutes, so it heads for the interstate whenever it can. On a motorcycle that is usually the part of the ride you want to skip. MotoCurve gives you three ways to keep a route on the back roads, and they work together.

Open the planner

Pick a route style that leaves the highway

1
Curvy
Twisty roads, avoids highways, adds some time. The right choice for most rides.
2
Extra Curvy
Maximum twisties; expect a much longer ride. For a day out rather than getting somewhere.
3
Balanced
Direct, but takes the nicer road when it costs little time. Use it when you need to arrive but would rather not drone along the interstate.

Turn up Avoid roads

4
Open Avoid roads
In the planner's sidebar, open Avoid roads. Each kind of road has its own slider from Off to Max.
5
Motorways
Interstates and other limited-access freeways. Set it to High or Max to keep the route off them.
6
Main roads
Busy US and state highways that are not freeways. Turn it up when even the four-lane highway is too much.
7
Toll roads, Ferries and Unpaved
Set the same way, if you would rather not pay, wait for a boat or ride gravel.

Shape the line where you want it

8
Drag the route
Drag any part of the line onto the road you want. MotoCurve adds a shaping point there and re-plans through it.
9
Check the summary
The route summary shows the distance and time, so you can see what the back roads cost you.

Tips

Max is the strongest avoid, not a ban: if the only way across a river is a highway bridge, the route still takes it rather than failing.
Avoiding everything at once can make a long ride very long. Start with Curvy and Motorways on High, then add more if you need to.
Send the route to the free MotoCurve app for turn-by-turn voice navigation on Android and iPhone, or export it for your GPS.

Questions

How do I avoid interstates on a motorcycle route?: In MotoCurve pick the Curvy route style, which already avoids highways, and set Motorways to High or Max under Avoid roads. The planner then routes over back roads wherever there is one.
What is the difference between motorways and main roads?: Motorways are interstates and other limited-access freeways. Main roads are busy highways that are not freeways, like many US and state routes. MotoCurve has a separate slider for each.
Will avoiding highways make the ride much longer?: Usually somewhat longer, sometimes a lot on a long trip. The route summary shows the distance and time before you ride, and Balanced is a middle ground when you need to arrive.
Can I avoid toll roads too?: Yes. Avoid roads has sliders for toll roads, ferries and unpaved roads as well as motorways and main roads.

More guides

How to put a motorcycle route on your Garmin or TomTom

Export a planned route as GPX for Garmin or ITN for TomTom, so the device keeps the roads you chose.

Free rider tools · Get the app: Android · iPhone