Which road is best in the world?

best driving roads in the world: Stelvio Pass vs Transfagarasan

Discovering the best driving roads in the world offers unforgettable adventures across stunning mountain passes and dramatic coastal routes. Exploring these legendary tracks provides thrilling driving experiences and breathtaking scenery for automotive enthusiasts planning their next major road trip.

Chasing the Ultimate Horizon: What Makes a Road the Best?

Determining the absolute best road in the world is a beautiful dilemma because the answer changes depending on what your soul is hunting for. For some, perfection is found in technical alpine switchbacks that demand intense focus, while for others, it is a wide, sweeping coastal highway that allows the mind to drift alongside the ocean waves. The truth is that defining the greatest tarmac is entirely dependent on the specific context of your journey, as the perfect stretch of asphalt marries engineering design with the raw, untamed spirit of its landscape.

When evaluating global driving routes, several distinct factors separate a simple commute from an unforgettable driving masterpiece.

True automotive nirvana requires a balance of flawless asphalt quality, captivating flowing corner variety, manageable traffic volume, and sensory environmental backdrops that force you to pull over and just breathe. Across continents, certain legendary highways consistently emerge as universal favorites among driving enthusiasts and casual roadtrippers alike. I remember sitting at a tiny roadside cafe after hours behind the wheel, my hands slightly vibrating from the feedback of the road, realizing that the magic of a great drive lies in how it alters your perception of time.

The Masterpieces of the Mountain: Alpine and Highland Passes

Susten Pass in Switzerland represents the pinnacle of high-altitude alpine engineering, deliberately designed to blend jaw-dropping mountain aesthetics with pure driving pleasure. Stretching over 46 kilometers from Innertkirchen to Wassen, this meticulously planned pass reaches a soaring road summit of 2.224 meters above sea level. Unlike older mountain mule tracks that were slowly converted into modern roads, this highway was built from scratch between 1938 and 1945 specifically to maximize tourist enjoyment and panoramic vistas.

Because it was engineered as a modern national highway, the route trades frustratingly tight switchbacks for long, sweeping curves and wide, structured stone galleries. Drivers face 26 bridges and tunnels carved straight out of the granite massif, leading directly past the stunning Steingletscher glacier. It feels less like navigating an obstacle and more like dancing with the geography. But there is a catch. Due to intense high-altitude snowfall, the pass completely seals shut for a staggering eight to nine months of the year, usually only welcoming travelers from June through October.

Further north, the Old Military Road along the A93 in Scotland offers an entirely different, hauntingly beautiful highland rhythm. As the highest public main road in the United Kingdom, it climbs relentlessly through the eastern Cairngorms National Park, peaking at 670 meters at the dramatic Cairnwell Pass. Spanning 174 kilometers from Perth to Aberdeen, the route delivers a wild, rollercoaster-like topography flanked by barren glacial valleys and roaming herds of red deer.

The asphalt layout acts as a temporal bridge, following 18th-century military lines that bypass historical hazards like the infamous Devils Elbow double-hairpin bends. It offers fast, sweeping straights balanced by unexpected blind crests that keep your adrenaline hummed. While the road is entirely evergreen and open year-round, winter transforms it into a treacherous corridor prone to severe snow drifting, demanding strict attention to mountain weather patterns before setting off.

Coastal Icons and Rainforest Rhythms

The Great Ocean Road in Australia stands as one of the most culturally significant and visually striking coastal touring routes on Earth. Hugging the rugged south-eastern edge of the continent for exactly 243 kilometers between Torquay and Allansford, this engineering marvel attracts roughly 2.8 million annual visitors. Blasted directly from limestone and sandstone cliffs by returned World War I servicemen between 1919 and 1932, the highway serves as the worlds largest structural war memorial.

Driving this corridor requires a shift in mindset; it is not a racetrack, but an immersive coastal experience where deep rainforest canopies suddenly break into massive ocean panoramas. The road twists sharply along cliff-top lookouts before delivering you to the base of towering rock monoliths like the Twelve Apostles. Traffic can become heavily congested during peak summer months, so a relaxed multi-day self-drive itinerary is highly recommended to fully appreciate the shifting tidal views.

For those seeking absolute isolation away from global crowds, the Karamea Highway in New Zealand offers a masterclass in raw, technical driving rhythm. Located on the remote north-west coast of the South Island, this 53-kilometer highway packs an intense 68 bends as it punches through dense temperate rainforest over the Radiant Range. The environment alternates between heavy subtropical mountain mist and sudden, blinding views of the roaring Tasman Sea.

The asphalt layout demands physical stamina; the tight, continuous cornering creates a demanding tempo that leads to quick driver fatigue if rushed. Single-lane historic bridges require strict adherence to local give-way rules, and recent local infrastructure programs have focused heavily on corner widening to prevent heavy transport vehicles from crossing the centerline on blind turns. It is a wild, untamed highway where the asphalt feels like an afterthought compared to the dominant forest.

Evaluating the World's Elite Driving Roads

Susten Pass (Switzerland) ⭐

• Highly restricted - strictly open from June to October due to heavy snow closures

• Moderate - smooth curves replace tight switchbacks but high elevation requires care

• Low on weekdays but highly crowded with motorcycles and sports cars on summer weekends

• Flawless engineering with panoramic glacier views and wide alpine sweeps

Old Military Road A93 (Scotland)

• Open year-round, though winter travel frequently requires snow chains and gates

• Moderate - high-speed sweeping bends mixed with sudden blind mountain crests

• Very low throughout the year, offering an isolated, deserted driving experience

• Haunting highland scenery with a fast, rolling rollercoaster layout

Great Ocean Road (Australia)

• Beautiful year-round, with spring and autumn offering optimal weather and fewer crowds

• Low to Moderate - winding coastal edges that require constant speed adjustments

• High to Very High - heavy tourist bus traffic requires early morning departures

• Dramatic limestone sea cliffs, world-class surf breaks, and ancient rainforest borders

Karamea Highway (New Zealand)

• Accessible year-round, though summer offers vibrant coastal tree blooms

• High - non-stop tight corners, single-lane bridges, and unpredictable coastal weather

• Extremely Low - you will often have the entire rainforest highway to yourself

• Absolute isolation through dense wilderness, mountain mist, and wild sea views

Navigating International Rental Friction: Logan's Alpine Journey

Logan, a seasoned roadtripper from Chicago, planned a dream trip to drive the classic Swiss passes in late June. He obsessed over the route details for months but glossed over the logistical nuances of international vehicle rentals.

First attempt: He reserved a basic manual hatchback online, assuming it would handle the alpine climbs easily. Upon arrival at the counter, he faced immediate friction because his local insurance policy did not cover high-altitude mountain pass assistance.

Worse yet, the small engine gasped for air on the initial steep inclines, turning the sweeping curves of the pass into a stressful, sluggish struggle. Logan realized that proper mountain driving requires local insurance additions and a vehicle with adequate torque.

He returned to the depot, upgraded to a turbocharged vehicle with comprehensive local coverage, and successfully conquered the pass the next morning. The difference was night and day, transforming a nerve-wracking ordeal into a fluid, triumphant mountain run.