Leesburg VA to Antietam National Battlefield MD

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > Maryland
Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > Virginia

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 3 visitors

State: Virginia

Date Submitted: August 1, 2007
Submitted by: "Eagle One" GWRRA Virginia Chapter Y, Blue Ridge Wings of Leesburg, VA
Motorcycle Road Length: 45 Miles

Written Directions

There are many different ways to get from Leesburg to the Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland. The best way to understand my directions is to refer to the Google map above or load the GPS coordinates (GDB file) into your GPS device.

Scenery

You are heading to the Antietam National Battlefield, where it is easy to imagine one of the bloodiest Civil War battles taking place as the Blue and the Grey advanced and retreat among the hills, valleys, dales, and rivers. The back country roads of Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland make this a magnificent ride because of changing scenery alternating between farm and ranch land, the horse country, and the scenic riverside along the Shenandoah River. This is a special ride enjoyed by all. Start early in the morning.

Road Quality

The road starts from Leesburg, VA and heads away from the city dwelling deeper and deeper into the back country roads of Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland, snaking along with the Shenandoah River and traversing the ranches and farms. The road narrow more and more on this route, twisting and turning, up and down hills, revealing the countryside and vista at every point.

Roadside Amenities

Leesburg is a fine starting city. Soon tho', you are in the boonies, so tank up with gas before staring out on this short distance ride. The ride is about 1 1/2 hours because it is slow going, and spectacular. Once at the Antietam National Battlefield, you'll have a visitors' center with bathrooms, a theater, small museum, and small gift shop. You'll want to see the movie to give you the thrust of the battle before you cruise the grounds. Plan on spending about 1 hour in the visitors' center. You'll want to tour the battlefield by bike, which takes about one hour. Be sure to climb the tower and to visit the bridge. Leaving the battlefield, head east to the Red Byrd Restaurant in Keedysville MD for lunch. Any small paved road south is a good bet returning to Leesburg.

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .

Nickname (optional) "Eagle One" GWRRA Virginia Chapter Y, Blue Ridge Wings of Leesburg, VA

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Reviewed by Guest on December 14, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Bruce Ulanet
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: That route is awesome, but if you happen to make a wrong turn you'll probably find yourself on other roads that are just as much fun to ride.
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Reviewed by Guest on April 25, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Ron Smith
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Kawasaki
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: I live in the area so I get to ride this route quite a lot and is one great ride. Just as a note of historical interest, from the time you cross highway 340 at Harpers Ferry until you pass Pack Horse Ford on the Potomac River, you are driving on the exact route A. P. Hill used to march from Harpers Ferry to Antietam on September 17, 1862 . A distance of seventeen miles had to be covered in just seven hours. As you ride over this route you might ask yourself if you think you could make this march and then go right into a full on attack on General Burnside's left flank without rest.
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Reviewed by Guest on September 21, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Mark Kwon
motorcycle_year: 1998
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: I took a ride on this route this morning. I started out from my place in Vienna, Va. It was a glorious ride in perfect fall weather. I stopped over at Antietam briefly. Part of the route, Bakerton Rd, by Shenadoah River was good scenic route, but road quality isn't great with some mud and debris. So, one needs to use caution. Other than that, it was an excellent ride!
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