Highway 50 across the States

Anybody done part or all of this road?
There is a website for it with state by state sections, but not from a motorcycle perspective.

If you have ridden it, how much time did it add to your trip to be off the slab? I know some folks jump on the interstate to get through big cities that are in the way. Any other tips?

Thanks,
Jock

Been on the Nevada section known as "The Loneliest Road in America" and it's true. Miles upon miles of no one but you, across flat to undulating terrain with only the power transmission towers to decorate the landscape. Makes one hum along with a related Glen Campbell song, playing in your mind. I liked the experience. Be sure to keep a full gas tank whenever you can.

I've been on it ( and will be this coming weekend) in Central Indiana & Ohio. It is like other 2 lane highways in my experience...about 50 MPH...which for a Northern friend will see GREAT. The 1 place between W. Indiana and E-Ohio that I'd avoid is the section right
around Cincinnati, Oh. It brings you right through town. You can use I275 loop to get around that though. ENJOY !

I've ridden it from Sacramento to Dodge City. Come June 16th if all things work out, I'll be starting in Ocean City, MD (Eastern Terminus) and riding to Sacramento (Western Terminus). I do plan on taking the 'Thistle' detour which is where the original 50 went instead of riding the section that runs on the interstate from Grand Junction to about Moab. I'll be riding as much of the 'original' road as I can find while I'm at it.

If you do find yourself in Nevada on highway 50, be sure to check out Middlegate Station. It is an "old west" style bar/grill. Good burgers, and the locals come out of nowhere. Been there a couple times, and it is a really cool experience. They say it is an old Pony Express stop, and there is a "legend/history" to the place that adds to the experience.

Nevada and Utah are as described "straight and empty. plan gas and perhaps a stop in Ely Nevada. The hotel/casino in town is very reasonably priced and has a good restaurant. gas gets a bit hard to find after Ely (Eastbound). Through Western Colorado it is a gorgeous ride. Easter Colorado is typical prairie. I have not ridden the section between Colorado and Ohio, but from there to DC I particularly liked the West Virginia section.
it was a very enjoyable ride.
Jim

I have family in Ocean City and see this "tempting" sign every year... Haven't committed yet.
The section through WV is quite fun though!

playfair said:

I have family in Ocean City and see this "tempting" sign every year...

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Yeppers, and there's a matching one on the other end! 50 also runs through the middle of Washington, DC, St. Louis, Kansas City, Lake Tahoe, West Virginia, Monarch Pass in Colorado, and Austin, NV - the 'loneliest highway in America' (got the t-shirt). ;-) It, unlike highway 66 that was pretty much destroyed by I40, is still intact. If you get a chance, Google Thistle, Utah - at one time the western terminus of highway 50. Some pretty interesting stuff!

We usually take 50 when we're traveling from Wichita to Colorado. Hutchinson to Dodge City isn't too bad. Dodge City to Garden City is a lot of feedlots. West of Garden City it's better, and once you cross I-25 in Colorado it gets interesting. The section from Canon City west is great; running along the river through the canyon, and then over Monarch Pass. In eastern Kansas (I-35 on east,) it's more interesting than the interstate. All through Kansas there are small towns, plenty of opportunities to eat or gas up.

It wasn't too long ago that RoadRunner magazine did a series of articles on Hwy 50.

Uncle Phil said:

I've ridden it from Sacramento to Dodge City. Come June 16th if all things work out, I'll be starting in Ocean City, MD (Eastern Terminus) and riding to Sacramento (Western Terminus). I do plan on taking the 'Thistle' detour which is where the original 50 went instead of riding the section that runs on the interstate from Grand Junction to about Moab. I'll be riding as much of the 'original' road as I can find while I'm at it.

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I was looking at Grand Junction as one of my stops. You'll have to tell me how to find the "Thistle" detour when I get there. Will gas be a problem if I am on the Victory?

Oh, and a big thank you for all the others who have piped up here. Very good info. I'm planning a trip to the Maritimes for my shakedown cruise this year and then LA next summer.

Ride safe, everyone.

I've ridden Hwy 50 from the Sierras in California across Nevada. It's a great road. What kind of fuel range does your Victory have? There is gas every hundred miles or so. Do be aware that your mileage will go way down at the speeds some are tempted to run across Nevada. Headwinds can do the same. I managed to get 22 mpg with an ST1100 on a Nevada rally which included part of Hwy 50.