Five cities are warm enough to ride all of Thanksgiving week, and all five have motorcycles for rent from local owners right now. Phoenix averages 70 degrees in late November, with 66 bikes listed. Las Vegas runs about 62 with 53 bikes. Austin sits near 67 with 37. San Diego holds 66 with 35. Miami runs 79 with 61.
A four-day rental over the holiday weekend costs $400 to $650 all-in on a typical bike, insurance included, and first-time riders take 25 percent off. Your own bike may be in storage. These aren't.
Thanksgiving falls on November 26 this year, giving most riders Thursday through Sunday off and Wednesday evening to fly. Pick up the bike Wednesday at 5 p.m. and return it Sunday at 5 p.m., and the 24-hour rental day puts the whole holiday on a four-day booking. Here's where to go and what it costs.
The Five Cities at a Glance
| City | Late November High | Bikes Listed | Headline Ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 70 | 66 | Route 89A to Sedona |
| Las Vegas | 62 | 53 | Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire |
| Austin | 67 | 37 | Three Twisted Sisters |
| San Diego | 66 | 35 | Palomar Mountain and Julian |
| Miami | 79 | 61 | Overseas Highway to Key West |
Temperatures are late-November daily highs from NOAA's climate normals. Bike counts are from the live Twisted Road listings for each city on the day this was written. Mornings in the desert cities start in the 40s, so pack a liner.
Phoenix
Phoenix is the best overall Thanksgiving ride in the country. A 70-degree high in the valley, the red rock of Sedona two hours north, and the Apache Trail 45 minutes east. Ride Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon on Friday, do the paved run to Tortilla Flat on Saturday, and spend Sunday on the Beeline Highway before the flight. Current listings include a 2020 Indian Scout Sixty at $74 a day with 49 five-star trips, a Honda CB1100 at $48, and a BMW R 1200 GS at $89. The full ride plan is in the Phoenix motorcycle rental guide, and the bikes are on the Phoenix motorcycle rentals page.
Las Vegas
Vegas is the easiest flight on the list and the shortest drive from the airport to a great road. Red Rock Canyon's scenic loop is 30 minutes from the Strip, Valley of Fire is an hour, and Death Valley is a full Saturday. Late November runs cool, 62 by day and near 40 at dawn, which makes it the best month of the year for Death Valley. Live listings include a 2012 BMW R 1200 GS at $71, a 2019 Indian Chieftain Limited at $93 with 64 trips, and a 2025 Harley Road Glide at $97. See the Las Vegas motorcycle rentals page and the Las Vegas listings.
Austin
Texas Hill Country peaks for riding in late November, when the Three Twisted Sisters loop on Ranch Roads 335, 336, and 337 runs under clear skies at 67 degrees, and the bigtooth maples at Lost Maples are in their last week of color. The loop sits two hours west of the city, which makes it a Friday with an overnight in Leakey or Kerrville. Current listings include a 2012 Ducati Monster 696 at $48, a Harley Sport Glide at $90 in Hutto, and a 2011 BMW R 1200 RT at $75. See the Austin motorcycle rentals page and the Austin listings.
San Diego
San Diego trades desert heat for a 66-degree coast and the backcountry roads to Julian and Palomar Mountain, which sit an hour east and climb into pine and apple orchards. Sunrise Highway along the Laguna Mountains is a Saturday that ends with the sun going down over the Anza-Borrego desert. Listings include a 2021 KTM 390 Duke at $48, a 2019 Yamaha R3 at $52, a BMW F 800 GS at $56 in Encinitas, and a 2022 Harley Pan America at $75 in La Mesa. See the San Diego motorcycle rentals page and the San Diego listings.
Miami
Miami is the warm one, 79 degrees on Thanksgiving and the start of the dry season. The Overseas Highway runs 113 miles from Key Largo to Key West across 42 bridges, and a Friday ride down with a Saturday ride back is the best two-day cruiser trip in the country. Current listings include a 2023 Harley Street Glide ST at $60, a Sportster 1200 Custom at $60, a 2020 Street Bob at $75, and a 2023 BMW R 1250 GS at $71. See the Miami motorcycle rentals page and the Miami listings. Riders visiting from abroad can check the international riders guide before booking.
What Four Days Costs
The daily rate is the start. Add the service fee, roughly 20 percent of the rental, and insurance at $30 to $45 a day, and here's what the holiday weekend totals on three price points. A refundable deposit hold of $750 to $2,000 is placed the day before and released 48 hours after the return.
| Bike Price Point | 2 Days All-In | 4 Days All-In | 4 Days With First-Ride Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 a day (CB1100, Monster 696, 390 Duke) | $200 to $220 | $400 to $440 | $350 to $390 |
| $75 a day (Scout Sixty, Street Bob, R 1200 GS) | $260 to $280 | $520 to $560 | $445 to $485 |
| $100 a day (Road Glide, Chieftain, Gold Wing) | $320 to $340 | $640 to $680 | $540 to $580 |
Those are the real numbers, not the daily rate times four. The complete fee structure, including the avoidable ones like fuel and late returns, is in the guide to motorcycle rental fees. Riders who already have one rental behind them this year should check the One, Two, Free program, since a second rental earns a free day on the third.
Book Before the Week of
Thanksgiving is one of the few weeks of the year when the warm cities see demand from every cold one at once. Owners approve requests in the order they arrive, and the best-reviewed bikes in Phoenix and Miami are usually spoken for by the weekend before the holiday. Request the bike now, finish your profile so approval clears fast, and coordinate the Wednesday pickup with the owner once you have a flight.
Flying in? Phoenix Sky Harbor and Miami International both sit within 20 minutes of most owner pickups, and many owners will meet you near the airport. Confirm the spot by text, bring the license that matches the booking, and bring your own helmet unless the listing says one is included.
Skip the Storage Unit
Your bike is winterized and the roads at home are salted. The roads in these five cities are 70 degrees and empty on a holiday morning. Search motorcycle rentals in the city with the cheapest flight and spend Thanksgiving week in the saddle.
FAQs
Where is it warm enough to ride a motorcycle on Thanksgiving?
Phoenix, Las Vegas, Austin, San Diego, and Miami all average daytime highs of 62 to 79 degrees in late November, with little rain. Phoenix and Miami are the warmest. All five have motorcycles for rent from local owners on Twisted Road.
How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle for Thanksgiving weekend?
A four-day rental over the holiday costs roughly $400 to $680 all-in depending on the bike, including the service fee and insurance. A refundable deposit hold of $750 to $2,000 also applies. First-time riders take 25 percent off the base rate.
When should I book a motorcycle rental for Thanksgiving?
As early as possible. Warm-weather cities see demand from across the country during Thanksgiving week, and the best-reviewed bikes are usually booked by the weekend before the holiday. Requesting now and completing your profile gets you approved and confirmed before inventory tightens.
Can I pick up a rental motorcycle near the airport?
Often, yes. Many owners in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Miami, and San Diego will coordinate a pickup near the airport by text after approval. Check the listing's location and ask the owner when you request the bike.
What's the best Thanksgiving motorcycle ride?
Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona from Phoenix is the best single day, and the Overseas Highway from Miami to Key West is the best two-day cruiser trip. Death Valley from Las Vegas is at its best in late November, when daytime temperatures are finally comfortable.
How does the 24-hour rental day work for a holiday weekend?
Each rental day is a 24-hour block from the pickup time. Pick up at 5 p.m. Wednesday and return at 5 p.m. Sunday, and the whole Thanksgiving weekend counts as four days rather than five.
