Driving takes on a whole new level of fun and excitement when you take your car out on some of the world’s best roadways. Plan your next adventure by checking out the world’s top 10 driving roads.
1. Peso da Régua to Pinhão, Portugal
The N-222 from Peso da Régua to Pinhão is a highway that travels through the heart of Portugal’s scenic wine country. At 27 kilometers in length, it features 93 bends and a straight to bend ratio of 10:1. Car enthusiasts view it as one of the best roads in the world because of its strategic driving location, as well as its breathtaking views of the countryside’s lush vineyards, sparkling rivers, and the steppes that border the highway.
2. Highway 1, California, USA
Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Located in California’s Big Sur region, Highway 1 is one of the most famous highways in the U.S. Its 85 miles hug the California coastline, allowing drivers to take in amazing views of the Pacific. Because it draws thousands of visitors each year, the highway’s traffic may slow down significantly during peak tourist seasons. Drivers can enjoy plenty of roadside eateries and pit stops that are perfect for picture taking along the way as well.
3. Furka Pass, Switzerland
Photo by Cooper.ch / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
With an elevation of 2431 meters above sea level, the Furka Pass twists and turns through the Swiss Alps, making it one of the most exhilarating driving roads in the world. Its high elevation grants drivers some of the most breathtaking views of Switzerland. Because of its plentiful tight turns and narrow bends, the pass is typically closed in the wintertime. The Pass is famous for being the site of the car chase in the James Bond movie Goldfinger.
4. White Rim Road, Utah, USA
This 100-mile desert road sits below Utah’s Island in the Sky mesa and traverses through some of the most dangerous stretches of desert in the Southwest. Its rough and rugged conditions make it ideal for daytime four-wheel driving. Drivers must first obtain a state permit before heading out and are not allowed to bring pets with them. They are also reminded to bring water and food in case they become stranded or overcome by heat.
5. Tianmen Mountain Road, China
Located in China’s northwestern province of Hunan, the Tianmen Mountain Road spans 11 kilometers and features 99 bends, making it one of the world’s most exciting and challenging driving roads. As it winds around the mountain, it travels toward Tianmen Cave, which itself is more than 431 feet high. Bordered by a pedestrian walkway, the mountain road offers dazzling views of the mountain range and the valleys below Tianmen Mountain. A vegetarian restaurant and other pit stops provide respite for drivers traveling the roadway.
6. Chapman’s Peak Drive, South Africa
Chapman’s Peak Drive is located in Cape Town, South Africa and serves as the nine-kilometer link between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. As it curves around the South African coastline, it offers scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the rocky shoreline. Much of this two-lane highway remains unencumbered by guardrails, making it both challenging and exhilarating to drive. Before venturing out onto the drive, however, motorists are cautioned to check the roadway’s conditions for visibility and also for hazards like falling rocks. The Provincial Administration Transport Branch updates the conditions of the roadway and the local weather regularly to keep drivers safe.
7. Col de Turini, France
Sitting at an elevation of 1607 meters above sea level, the Col de Turini in France is famous for its precarious and tight hairpin turns that challenge even the most skilled of drivers. Despite its dangerous curves, this Swiss mountainside road remains highly traveled. The high-beam lights of the cars traveling the mountain pass at nighttime create a phenomenon that locals call the “night of long knives.” So highly prized by driving enthusiasts is this highway that is serves as one of the stages for the Monte Carlo Rally. It also has been utilized as a stage in the Tour de France race.
8. Denali Highway, Alaska
Spanning some of the most rugged outlying areas in Alaska, the Denali Highway offers 135 miles of scenic driving excitement for people who are looking for a thrill in America’s Last Frontier. The highway takes drivers directly to big cities like Fairbanks and Anchorage. However, given the wild weather and unpredictable environment in Alaska, either drive can take hours or even days to complete. Motorists are cautioned to keep provisions in their vehicles and to travel only during the allowed period from mid-May to October 1. Driving the Denali Highway outside of this time is too dangerous and not allowed by the state.
9. Great Ocean Road, Australia
Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0
Connecting the Australian cities of Torquay and Allansford, the Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most picturesque yet challenging driving roads. It curves and winds alongside the coasts of the Southern Ocean and Bass Strait. With its amazing views of the ocean and its tight turns along the coastline, the road also serves the country’s largest monument to Australian World War I soldiers. It was built between the years of 1919 and 1932. This curvy, unguarded road spans more than 243 kilometers and travels past landmarks like the Twelve Apostles limestone formations.
10. Ruta 40, Argentina
Photo by idobi / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Ruta 40 is a legendary driving road in Argentina. Also known as La Cuarenta, or The Forty, it is the country’s longest roadway as well as one of the most treasured routes for driving enthusiasts from around the world. With a length of 5224 kilometers, Ruta 40 traverses through dozens of different terrains in the country. It passes by more than two dozen different rivers, for example, as well as expansive prairies. Given its rough surface and sometimes windy conditions, drivers are highly encouraged to use four-wheel drive vehicles when traveling The Forty.
Driving fans can enjoy their fill of excitement and challenge by venturing onto some of the world’s most famous driving roads. These top 10 roadways stand out as favorites for people who love to drive in scenic yet exhilarating conditions.
The post The World’s Best Driving Roads – Part I appeared first on Proctor Cars Magazine.