Dayton, OH → Colorado Springs, CO | Aug 15–19, 2025 | 1,252 miles

Four days. Over 1,250 miles. From the quiet cornfields of Ohio to the sandstone peaks of Colorado Springs, this ride through the middle of America is a celebration of the open road. You’ll follow historic highways like Route 40 and Route 66, curve through Indiana’s forested hills, sip wine in Missouri, and stretch your throttle across the sweeping plains of Kansas before rising into the Rockies.

I used to ride this route in a very different way. Back when I was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, I’d blast home to Dayton to see friends and family—straight down I-70, as fast as I could go without ending up in jail. Food? Whatever I could grab at a gas station. Sleep? Only if the parking lot looked quiet enough.

But Middle America doesn’t have to be something you just pass through. This ride plan started as a test—could the ThrottleMap.ai tool turn this old route into something actually interesting? I think we did OK. I mean… the baking powder museum? That’s social media gold.

Day 1: Dayton, OH → Indianapolis, IN – 160 miles

Start your ride with a hearty breakfast at Butter Café, a local Dayton favorite known for organic, locally sourced comfort food. Follow Route 40, the Historic National Road, through Englewood, Lewisburg, and Richmond, winding into Indiana farmland. After lunch at the iconic Shapiro’s Delicatessen, spend the afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Then take a detour south to enjoy twisty roads through Brown County State Park, Indiana’s largest and most scenic park. Snap a few golden-hour photos before dinner at Big Woods Pizza Co., then ride back north to overnight at the Comfort Inn South I-65.

Indianapolis is more than just racing—it’s a city that blends Midwestern warmth with a proud motorsports legacy. Known as the home of the Indy 500, it also features a vibrant culinary scene and easy access to some of Indiana’s most beautiful backroads. Brown County, especially, is a surprise to many riders: full of curves, canopies, and classic Midwestern charm.

Day 2: Indianapolis, IN → St. Louis, MO – 242 miles

Begin with a pancake stack at Blueberry Hill Pancake House before continuing west along Route 40, through towns like Plainfield and Brazil, IN. Take a break at the quirky Clabber Girl Museum to learn about the history of baking powder (yes, really), then grab lunch at Mogger’s Pub—a cozy stop in a historic brewery building. From there, follow the nostalgic stretch of Route 66 through Effingham and Collinsville, ending at Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis. Wrap the day with craft brews and dinner at Schlafly Tap Room, and check into the Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch for the night.

St. Louis has long stood at the intersection of American expansion, music, and culture. The Gateway Arch remains an iconic symbol of the city’s role in westward migration, while its blues roots, brewing history, and riverfront parks give it a dynamic energy. It’s a perfect mix of history and modern comfort for touring riders.

Day 3: St. Louis, MO → Kansas City, MO – 250 miles

After breakfast at Rooster, head west on Route 100 into Missouri’s wine country. Cruise through Union and New Haven on your way to Hermann, where cobblestone streets and German architecture welcome you to one of America’s oldest wine towns. Spend time on the Hermann Wine Trail, then enjoy lunch with a view at Stone Hill Winery. Continue west through Columbia and Boonville into Kansas City. Explore the powerful National WWI Museum, have dinner at Boulevard Brewing Company, and check in to the art-forward 21c Museum Hotel.

Kansas City is a city of hidden treasures—jazz clubs, fountains, smoky BBQ joints, and world-class museums. Its neighborhoods are layered with history, from Civil War-era roots to a booming modern food and arts scene. It’s the kind of place that rewards you for staying out just a little longer.

Day 4: Kansas City, MO → Colorado Springs, CO – 600 miles

Fuel up at The Classic Cup Café, then ride west on I-70 through Lawrence and Topeka. Take a break at the Kansas State Capitol, then enjoy a gourmet burger at The Burger Stand before pushing deeper into the Great Plains. The scenery shifts as you pass Salina, Hays, and finally Limon, Colorado. Turn southwest on US-24, where open range slowly transforms into alpine foothills. Conclude your ride with golden hour views at Garden of the Gods, enjoy dinner at Phantom Canyon Brewing, and rest up at The Mining Exchange Hotel, a refined nod to Colorado’s mining-era legacy.

Colorado Springs is the kind of place that feels like a reward. Surrounded by mountains and steeped in frontier history, it’s a city that blends adventure and elegance. Garden of the Gods—with its soaring red rock formations against blue sky—is a dramatic finish to a ride across the American heartland.

✅ Ride Tips for Middle America

1. Route 40 and 66 are scenic but slow—expect local traffic and photo-worthy stops.
2. August heat can be intense—ride early and bring hydration gear.
3. Use caution in twisty sections like Brown County and Missouri wine country.
4. Don’t skip a gas station—rural areas in Kansas can be surprisingly empty.
5. Storms come quick in the Midwest—check radar before long stretches.

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