Laptop with a motorcycle route, a cup of coffee and motorcycle gloves

How I plan my next motorcycle trip: routes, hotels and preparation

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Laptop with a motorcycle route, a cup of coffee and motorcycle gloves

9/9/2025

The days are getting shorter and the evenings colder. For many riders, that means the winter break. For me, it means the start of something new: planning next summer’s motorcycle trip. Last holiday we did something completely different and flew, but next year I definitely want to travel by motorcycle again. This time not solo: my partner is getting his full A licence, which means we’ll be riding together.

For me, the adventure already starts during the planning phase. Searching for new destinations, dividing the days, drawing routes and selecting hotels. It takes time, but I enjoy it almost as much as the trip itself. While planning, I already feel a little bit on the road.

Destinations we’re considering

Our 2025 wishlist currently looks like this:

  • Switzerland: classics like Grimsel, Furka and Susten Pass

  • Croatia: further away, but spectacular coastal roads

  • Slovenia: compact, green and wonderfully twisty

Croatia and Slovenia are a bit further away. Whether we’ll use a trailer to get closer to the starting point or simply plan longer riding days is still open. Both options have their advantages.

Planning day by day

After two solo motorcycle trips, I introduced one golden rule: 500 km per day is my absolute maximum — and that’s mainly highway kilometers. Riding a motorcycle is far more intense than driving a car. After 500 km, you’re physically and mentally tired.

That’s why I always mix ‘blast days’ (highway, covering distance) with ‘scenic days’ (slower, twisty roads, more enjoyment). This balance keeps the trip fun and realistic.

Mapping out the routes

I get inspiration from blogs, YouTube and motorcycle travel websites, but the real work happens in TomTom MyDrive. That’s where I design the full route myself:

  • start and end points,
  • scenic roads,
  • timing towards hotels,
  • GPX files of mountain passes I find online.

It takes time and patience, but it massively reduces stress once you’re actually riding.

Overnight stays: safe, simple and flexible

  • Private parking: for safety and peace of mind

  • Breakfast included: starting the day well-fed

  • Free cancellation: essential when weather or routes change

I almost always book via Booking.com. Not sponsored — just based on positive experience. Flexibility is crucial during motorcycle trips. Sometimes the weather turns bad, sometimes you’re exhausted, sometimes you want to add an extra mountain pass. Being able to adjust your accommodation makes everything much easier.

Winter doesn’t feel like the end of the riding season to me, but rather the quiet beginning of a new adventure. While rain taps against the window, a journey slowly takes shape — one we’ll soon be fully enjoying on two wheels.

Safe travels,

Cara from BikingWithC

Handy to know while planning

  • Check pass openings: many Alpine passes only open between May and July. Websites like alpen-paesse.ch are essential.
  • Build margin into your schedule: weather, fatigue or unexpected stops can change your timing.
  • Plan max. 4–6 hours of actual riding per day: with breaks, that equals a relaxed 7–9 hours on the road.
  • Book hotels with free cancellation: routes may change due to rain or closed passes.
  • Download routes offline: mobile coverage in mountain regions is not always reliable.

All the answers you are looking for

  • My number one tool is **TomTom Route Planner (MyDrive)**. It allows you to design very precise routes, add detours and import GPX files. I also use **alpen-paesse.ch** and **Bormio.eu** to check mountain pass status. For hotels, Booking.com remains my favourite because of its flexibility.

  • Three things are essential for me: **private parking**, **breakfast included** and **free cancellation**. That combination gives me the most peace of mind, especially because weather and routes can always change.

  • It depends on experience and road type, but for me **500 km of highway** is the absolute maximum. On secondary and mountain roads, 250–300 km is often more than enough for a relaxed day.

  • I usually plan blast days at the start and end of the trip, to cover the first and last long distances quickly. These are often functional routes. Once I reach the beautiful regions, I focus almost exclusively on scenic roads.

  • I’m a big planner. Routes and hotels are often planned months in advance — easily half a year before departure. Hotels are always booked with free cancellation, so I can still adjust if the weather changes or new ideas come up along the way.

Cara Roggemans

About Cara

I’m Cara Roggemans, founder of BikingWithC, motorcycle lover and travel addict. I’ve done two solo motorcycle trips so far and countless shorter rides and day trips through Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. With BikingWithC I share honest experiences, tips and stories from the road. Everything you read is based on my own rides, tests and on-the-road adventures.

Some links are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission with no extra cost to you. Recommendations are always based on my own experience or thorough research.

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