Best Roads in the World (MotoringFile Edition)

We all have our own sacred pieces of pavement around the world that we treasure. And while many of us keep a few of those close to our chests, today we’re going to share a few favorites with all of our readers. And after that, we’d love to hear about your favorites. Where they are, when to drive ’em, what to bring, and why they’re the best.
Here’s a quick list of some of my personal favorites from my travels:
– Highway 1 South of Monterey (through Ft Hunter Liggett) (California USA)
Highway 1 is often cited as one of the best roads in the world and it cannot be overrated. It’s curves and elevation changes are only matches by its ocean views. Taking a left hand turn into Ft. Hunter Liggett just ups the ante a bit in terms of elevation and corners.
– The Dragon (Tennessee/North Carolina USA)
What can you say about the Dragon. Simply put it is the best road I’ve ever had the pleasure of driving on. It’s status cannot be underrated as one of the best driver’s roads in the world and arguably the best in the US.
– To Adenau and around the ‘Ring (Adenau Germany)
Driving to the ‘Ring a few years back I happened upon one of those magical roads you seem to only find in Black Forest region of Germany. It’s the perfect set-up to an incredible day on the ‘Ring with sweepers, hairpins and elevation changes all running through thick German forests.
Now let’s hear your favorite road and what car (preferably a MINI we won’t hold it against you if it’s not) you’d bring to tackle it.
49 Comments
<p>Old Frankfort Pike, between Frankfort & Lexington, Kentucky. Beautiful scenery (horse farms, old Irish stone fences, tree-covered ceiling)…plenty of twists & turns plus a few long straightaways to challenge you. And of course in a MINI.</p>
<p>The Kancamagus Highway/Bear Run Road in the White Mountains of New Hampshire are amazing twisties, with wonderful mountain scenery. If you’ve ever done the annual “MINIs On Top” event, you’ll no doubt remember this scenic drive.</p>
<p>I’ve got to vote for the Blue Ridge Parkway. 470 miles of scenic, twisty roads. Speed limit is a bit low, but the corners are still fun at 45 mph.</p>
<p>Even better is going with the annual parkway tour hosted by the Tar Heel Mini Motoring Club each June. It is a 3 day trip driving from end to end with about 40+ other Minis.</p>
<p>There’s some lovely roads around Gorham / Mount Washington, Franconia Notch and Kancamagus Highway, where MINIsOnTop happens each year – including Bear Notch Road.
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=44.124317,-71.489754&spn=0.556479,0.766983&z=11" rel="nofollow ugc">http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=44.124317,-71.489754&spn=0.556479,0.766983&z=11</a>
But there can be too many tourists, too!</p>
<p>Back on MTTS 2006, driving the Midland Trail was very pretty too:
<a href="http://www.midlandtrail.com/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.midlandtrail.com/</a></p>
<p>@Mark
Old Frankfort Pike is great! Just don’t hit me on my bike in the summer time.</p>
<p>Highway 259 in Oklahoma/Arkansas is a great little scenic mountain road with tons of switchbacks and sweeping straights perfect for passing. I’ve driven it in the MINI a couple times and it was a hoot! I have yet to find a good windy scenic route here in Minnesota. Anybody got an insight for me?</p>
<p>I second your Highway 1 in California to Hunter Liggett or I’d stay on “1” until I got to Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Both runs are great. The Hunter Liggett run has more twisty’s but I feel the portion that heads to San Simeon is also fun with some amazing sweepers and of course amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and some long runs of 100+mph. Both run around 100 miles.</p>
<p>Until the Station Fire took it out one of my favorite runs was the Highway 2 starting in La Canada turning left at the Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Rd then to the Angeles Forest Highway to the Pearblossom Highway… 44 miles or stay on the “2” (Angeles Crest Highway) tru Wrightwood to the 138… 64 miles.</p>
<p>Jebel Hafeet, hands down.</p>
<p>The drive to get there takes you through Al Ain, but the road itself is unreal.</p>
<p>If you can resist the urge to enjoy the drive back down, there are a number of wonderful scenic stops for photography.</p>
<p>Oh, and Edmunds called it the greatest road in the world.</p>
<p>Taking my MINI with me to the UAE was the best decision ever! :)</p>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jebel_Hafeet" rel="nofollow ugc">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jebel_Hafeet</a></p>
<p>The run from Umbrail Pass, Switzerland down to Prato Allo Stelvio in Italy is truly the world’s best driving road. I’ve driven 5 hours from near Interlaken, Switzerland just to get to this pass and the start of the run. And it was ABSOLUTELY worth it to this ole Houston boy who’s only seen skyscrapers and overpasses, blasting around the Swiss, German, Italian and Austrian Alps in Maggie, my 06 R53. Since she was stolen this summer, I’ll have to take Maggie, Too, my 10 R56 JCW down there soon!! The PCH run was an excellent run for me, back in 1988 on my Honda CB700SC, and I’m looking forward to the Dragon next summer!</p>
<p>Cheers!!</p>
<p>San Diego Highway S6 (From Highway 76 to the top of Palomar Mountain). A favorite of “crotch-rocketeers” and RV’s (a bad mix) on the weekends. Do it on a weekday if you can.</p>
<p>Details at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=palomar+mountain&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=43.25835,62.138672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Palomar+Mountain,+San+Diego,+California&ll=33.306214,-116.875391&spn=0.044761,0.060682&t=h&z=14" rel="nofollow ugc">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=palomar+mountain&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=43.25835,62.138672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Palomar+Mountain,+San+Diego,+California&ll=33.306214,-116.875391&spn=0.044761,0.060682&t=h&z=14</a></p>
<p>A tried-and-true route through San Diego’s back country: Leave home around 7 a.m. By 8 a.m. head up the south side of Palomar Mountain, then down the east side, around Mesa Grande, over to Wynola Rd, down Banner Grade. U-turn, rinse and repeat if desired. Since this is San Diego, you can go up a mountain at 8 a.m., be in the dessert by 9:30, and then turn around and have lunch at the beach. Take that, Dragon!</p>
<p>I’m gonna take bee100’s great trip and make it even better (and longer).</p>
<p>Go down the Banner Grade, but instead of turning around, head into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park by continuing on 78 past Scissors Crossing. Continue for about 7 miles past Scissors Crossing and make a left on Yaqui Pass road.</p>
<p>Continue over Yaqui Pass into Borrego Valley. Pick up County S3 heading west until you reach Palm Canyon Drive. Go left on Palm Canyon, then left on Montezuma Road (also S3). The stretch through Borrego Valley is a bit flat and boring, but the twisties up Yaqui Pass and Montezuma Grade more than make up for it.</p>
<p>Go right on San Felipe Valley Road, and then Left on 79 to Santa Ysabel. Then right on 78. In downtown Ramona, 78 turns right. Don’t turn right — instead go straight ahead (78 becomes 67 at this point). Once you get past Ramona, turn right on Highland Valley Road. Highland Valley Road is the <em>ultimate</em> Mini Road. Highland Vally Road cannot be fully appreciated in a big car. Pick up I-15 south for the relatively boring return route to San Diego.</p>
<p>This is an all-day trip.</p>
<p>Don’t have a MINI yet, but as soon as the new dealership opens here in San Diego, that will change (already have the money set aside!).</p>
<p>California Haighway 33 between Highway 166 and Meiners Oaks. It is canyon driving with some of the best twisties, eleveation changes, scenery, and it rural. You will be amazed!</p>
<p>CA Highway 229 between Highways 58 and 41 – between Santa Margarita and Atascadero. About 5 miles of the most amazing MINI twisties. No line – perfect pavement – parts of it are like ski moguls. As you are turning and going up and the suspension unloads, you are then turning agin and getting slammed down into the next transition – better than any AutoX course! If you are ever in Central California north of San Luis Obispo on the 101, take a detour on Highway 229</p>
<p>HWY 103 from Evergreen over Squaw Pass to Echo lake just west of Denver,CO is sort of a Dragon type road that is a blast and it is not heavily traveled. Once at Echo lake you can then head up and over Mt Evans which is the highest paved road in North America, absolute beautiful views especially once above timberline.</p>
<p>I would have to second Ken’s suggestion of the Swiss mountain pass, it is very similar to the Top Gear route of Davos-Zernez-Livigno-Bormio-Stelviopass-Stelvio. It is a dream of mine to one day drive this in a JCW MCS or a M3.</p>
<p>Highway 23, The Pig Trail, in NW Arkansas is fun. There are lots of other great roads in that area too.</p>
<p>Sea-to-sky highway between Vancouver and Whistler. However, I’m sure (un)speed enforcement will be out in full force during the Winter Olympics in February.</p>
<p>@ Michael, 103 sounds like a great suggestion. I’m going to check it out.</p>
<p>Just a quick correction. You mention going up and over Mt Evans. You know a secret road on the backside? 🙂 I ride Mt Evans on my bike every year, and it’s an up-and-back only road.</p>
<p>RE: caerbannog</p>
<p>Your answer was much more complete than mine! I’ve never driven Highland Valley. I usually leave the mountains via Sunrise Highway to I-8 rather than heading west toward 15. Maybe I’ll switch next time, or start there instead of further north (where there are other lovely roads, but I’m not sure how well-known they are so we’ll keep ’em quiet).</p>
<p>Lower Wacker Drive in Chicago (Sorry I don’t have any cool mountain roads with curves and elevation changes so I have to settle for the urban jungle)</p>
<p>North Cascades Highway in Washington State. High, wide, little traveled, spectacular scenery, great twisty sections. Part of the greater Cascades Loop.</p>
<p>Has anyone seen season 14 of Top gear, episode 1 I think. When you say good, fun, picturesque roads/routes/highways, people think of the Alps (Swiss, Italian, German) and German highways, some country roads in Wales and Scotland, also some roads in US. How about an unlikely place like Romania and a road/pass called Transfăgărăşan (yep, it’s a mouthful). As Clarkson said… it is epic. Take a look on youtube, looks unbelievable, I’d much rather go there then to Stelvio pass to be honest.</p>
<p>With an R56 JCW of course or older M3.</p>
<p>U.S. 16A just east of Mt. Rushmore. Mountain switchbacks and includes an honest-to-goodness 540 degree corkscrew … no, really. Go in late spring (before the traffic) or late fall (before the snow).</p>
<p>My personal favorite is Interstate 64 west from Beckley, West Virginia to route 81 at Lexington, Virginia. A little known creation of Senator Robert Byrd, this highway features majestic sweeping turns and huge hills and valleys with incredible views from one end to the other.</p>
<p>And there s almost no traffic!!!!</p>
<p>But I do want to try “the Dragon” some day.</p>
<p>Merritt Parkway/Wilbur Cross Parkway/Rt 15 in Connecticut</p>
<p>Rt 20 from Ukiah to Fort Bragg, California</p>
<p>Goshen Road in West Chester, PA</p>
<p>Have to agree with CFMINI and his recommendation for Highway 229 in CA. I’ve driven it multiple times. Our last trip the the Monterey Historics included several trips up and down the road. It is by far the best!</p>
<p>Yo Woolman… Life good? RB</p>
<p>The drive up to Gordes, France.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0okzIV9jCtw&feature=related" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0okzIV9jCtw&feature=related</a></p>
<p>Just south of King City CA on 101 is an exit called Wild Horse. Go east and end up at Coalinga near I-5. Primitive, tight and rough, but nicely cambered where it counts. Also Willits CA to Ft. Bragg, watch for chip trucks, they own both lanes and then some. In Oregon, Hwy 66 from Ashland to Kalamath Falls. I guess if one is blessed with coast ranges and mountains the list is endless. Pity Kansas.</p>
<p>Rockport to Leggett on HWY 1 in California, or Leggett to Rockport.</p>
<p>Close to home (Canberra, Australia) the short sprints of Brindabella Road and Apollo Road are the pick. If I’m prepared to put in a couple of hours of highway behind me then the Snowy Mountains is very rewarding. Quiet roads and seemingly limitless corners, it’s fantastic!</p>
<p>The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is also very, very good (esp Lorne-Apollo Bay section), but it does have quite a lot of tourist traffic, sadly.</p>
<p>Anyone good with Google Earth? Woud love to see a fly over on some of these roads?</p>
<p>Have to agree with Vanwall on CA Highway 1 between Rockport and Leggett. 22 miles – 357 turns – and different than the Dragon there is a short middle section where it is possible to do 1xx speeds. We did the 22 miles in 20 minutes one time and there are many tight turns marked as 15MPH. Gotta watch for black bears though!!</p>
<p>Once you get out of the more populated areas, the big island of Hawaii has a LOT of fun roads. And incredible views. Maybe a local can comment better? Unfortunately I was driving a rented Jeep Wranger at the time, and it took me days to trust that the thing wasn’t going to fly off the road whenever I went over 20mph.</p>
<p>Gary good choice on Hwy 16 in South Dakota.
Here is video from the trip last May.
First part is Hwy 16A second is Needles Hwy going back to Hill City from Custer State Park.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C-xP8HKswk" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C-xP8HKswk</a></p>
<p>Our MINI club has discovered a road here that used to be pubilc but is now private and available by rental only. Would love to share, but we can’t have everybody who reads MotoringFile show up for our annual event- it would get just too crowded! It’s great though- no cops, no traffic coming the other way, just 3.6 miles of wonderful horseshoe curves.</p>
<p>Shouldn’t forget our local SoCal 1 way all downhill twisty – Tuna Canyon Road in Malibu, CA. Found a YouTube clip – <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwlf2CRugEM" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwlf2CRugEM</a> Rather sedate compared to the way our MINI’s do it!! Broke a front brake line going down Tuna once – thank god MINI’s have a mechanical rear brake!!</p>
<p>Rt. 113 to 113A from Holderness, NH to Tamworth, NH. Amazing. Big curves, gorgeous scenery, and relatively empty (except during bike week).</p>
<p>If you want to drive a monster roller-coaster twisting turning drive in Ohio (really!), drive Ohio 555 (sometimes called “The Rattler”) from just south of Zanesville south to the Ohio River at Little Hocking. You’ll want to turn around and do it all over again, laughing all the way.</p>
<p>Darn it Paul you are going to ruin it for the rest of us.</p>
<p>News flash…. SR 555 closed for 10 yeares for repair. Nothing to see here move on please.</p>
<p>We don’t get the latest Top Gear seasons here in the USA. I could have watched while I was in Ireland this past June. We still only get up to season 12.</p>
<p>If you ever have a chance to drive in Italy do it. Any road any city and car, its a blast every day is race day… they all drive like its the last lap at Le Mans.</p>
<p>However if you want to experience beauty and a suffer a true challenge this bit of tarmac is the path to take.</p>
<p>Start in the city of Vietri sul Mare, a beautiful costal town known for their tile and pottery then drive South West on the SS-163 also known as the Amalfi Coast most days you have to dodge buses and tourists but it is quite fun, use the road mirrors (mirrors placed along the road to let you see on coming traffic around tight turns).</p>
<p>Then in the town of Maiori you make a right on to the SP-2 Which takes you across the mountains that create the Amalfi Coast. When you reach the far side you actually look down on Mt. Vesuvius. The subsequent drive down is also a challenge with quite a few hairpins and tight turns. All in all the drive can take a few hours but is quite demanding and fun.</p>
<p>View <a href="http://maps.google.it/maps/ms?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=40.673868,14.645462+to:Via+Orazio%2FSP2&hl=en&geocode=FUqcbAIdCsTgAA%3B%3BFSqJbQIdYrneAA&gl=it&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=106693679798422449989.00047a3516766f2016254&ll=40.685064,14.656792&spn=0.124965,0.219727&z=12" rel="nofollow">Amalfi Coast and the Vesuvious Overlook!</a> in a larger map</p>
<p>is the link…</p>
<p>@ TIM… I did drive all over Italy and would agree it’s like a race every day. Unfortunately I had to drive a Fiat MultiPla lump of a vehicle. The Motorini in Rome were something to see and i wished I had taken vids of those crazed folk. I hope to return someday and will take your suggestions with me.</p>
<p>@jimpetersen… cool vid, for me odd hand positions? I can never get into the 2-10 position I need the 3-9 positioning but it looks like you do well with that style.</p>
<p>I had a heck of a fun time on Decker Canyon road in CA. It connects Simi Valley to the PCH near Malibu. I actually drove it in a rental car, and said to myself “MAN I WISH I HAD MY MINI”. Its not a fast road (I probably hit 45 mph tops), but requires a GREAT deal of skill to negoitate quickly.</p>
<p>Gabe, Visit Chile and drive from Santiago to La Parva ski resort. During the day the road is one direction at a time, at night both directions.
One day I will drive this road in a MINI. Have drive it in a bus, Toyota truck, VW Bug and 205 Peugeot.
Like your radio show.
Dave, Toronto Canada</p>