Ride the Rattlesnake Highway: Kentucky Route 192

If you’re traveling from the north or the south and plan to ride the Kentucky Rattlesnake Highway, you can easily access KY192 W from exit 38 on Interstate 75 in London. You can also access the Rattlesnake Highway from the Hal Rogers Parkway at either London or Somerset. Both endpoints feature plenty of opportunities for gas, food, and lodging.

For our motorcycle route, we’ll start at the eastern end of KY192 in London.

Leaving London on KY192 W, you’ll travel through mixed residential neighborhoods and farmlands until you enter the Daniel Boone National Forest. Watch for a sign that denotes the beginning of the Rattlesnake—and prepare yourself for an exciting ride of twists and turns. When you cross the Rockcastle River, you’ll reach the county line between Laurel and Pulaski and about the halfway point of the Rattlesnake.

As you exit the Daniel Boone National Forest, you will again ride through a mix of farmlands and residential areas until you enter Somerset. The exhilarating ride between the cities is well worth the trip—and short enough that, with a little planning, you’ll have plenty of time to turn around and ride the Rattlesnake back the other direction.

For most of the year, southern Kentucky maintains a comfortable temperature for riding, but the area is known for large rainstorms, especially in the spring and early summer. To get a sense of what to expect on your visit to the area, review the monthly average temps for London, KY.

As is the case with any mountain road—and any popular motorcycle route—there are safety concerns to keep in mind.

• Expect to share the road with sports car enthusiasts and other motorcycle riders who have come to ride the Rattlesnake.

• The Rattlesnake Highway passes through a national forest, so be prepared to slow down for RVs and vehicles towing trailers.

• The changing foliage draws a lot of visitors to the area in the fall, so be aware of distracted drivers.

• The Daniel Boone National Forest is home to a variety of small mammals along with deer, elk, and black bears. Watch for wildlife as you round corners and crest hills.

• In residential and farmland areas, watch for oversized farm vehicles, crossing traffic, and domestic animals on the road.

The Rattlesnake winds through the remote woods of the Daniel Boone National Forest, allowing for an immersive ride where you can enjoy the beauty of nature. Make the most of your trip with must-see stops and landmarks along the route.

Wildcat Harley-Davidson is proud to offer one of the largest Harley show rooms in the state of Kentucky. This beautiful dealership welcomes riders with consistent hospitality and hosts many public events throughout the year. They were even one of the two starting points for the Rattlesnake Highway inaugural ride in 2016. If you’re following our route from east to west, Wildcat Harley-Davidson makes a great starting place for your ride on the Rattlesnake.

Bee Rock Campground offers primitive camping sites on both sides of the Rockcastle River. Situated in the beautiful Daniel Boone National Forest, it’s an excellent place to set up base camp and explore the area—both on the Rattlesnake Highway and other nearby routes. Spend your day listening to the rumble of your motor and your nights slumbering to the sound of the babbling river.

The Souvenir Shack at “Brake on the Snake” is a great place to take a break after riding down the back of the Rattlesnake Highway. Many riders, both locals and travelers, stop here to get a cold beverage, buy a souvenir, and spend a little time rocking on the front porch with people who know the area the best.