Top 10 Best Driving Roads in America for 2024
What are the Best Driving Roads in the US for Sports Cars?
This is our 2024 guide for the top ten best driving roads in the United States. This list takes into consideration the various elements of what makes a driving road truly great. Beautiful scenery, adventurousness, smooth pavement quality, and of course, those fun, twisting curves! We even have the link to the direct Google maps route for every scenic driving road on our list. Find the best twisty, curvy roads in America at GreatDrivingRoads.com!
How Do I Find Driving Roads Near Me?
GreatDrivingRoads.com features the best driving roads with free links to the direct Google maps routes. Click on each map link in the route description to experience the best driving roads in America for sports cars in 2024!
1. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY 1
ROUTE: CA-1
DISTANCE: 656 miles
TIME: 8 hours
Why It's A Great Driving Road in America
California 1 is one of the most iconic and scenic drives in California. It runs alongside most of the Pacific coastline of the state, and is about 656 miles. With that much length, there's a tremendous amount to see. This great driving road in California features access to national parks and beaches. The Pacific Coast Highway is the official name of the southern section of Hwy 1 south of San Francisco. The northern section of CA-1 is now known as the Shoreline Highway. The most breathtaking and iconic section of Hwy 1 is in Big Sur. The entire California 1 is 656 miles in length, so it's worth taking a few days to do the entire route. The road also has closures at times due to weather, so be sure to check conditions before you plan a drive here. But nearly the entire California Coastal Highway 1 has varying degrees of stunning scenery along the glittering Pacific Ocean.
How to Get To the PCH
Hwy 1 runs from Capistrano Beach in Orange County to Leggett, CA in northern Mendocino.
Click here for the Google maps link!
2. BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY - NC / VIRGINIA
ROUTE: Blue Ridge Pkwy
DISTANCE: 469 miles
TIME: 12 hours
Why It's A Great Driving Road in America
One of the most famous and gorgeous driving roads in the entire eastern US is the Blue Ridge Parkway. This national treasure runs through Virginia and North Carolina. The northern section takes the driver through the heavily forested Shenandoah National Park, and meanders through the mountains as Skyline Drive. The parkway road continues further south and leads to Smoky Mountains National Park in NC. The entire road is 469 miles in length. It would take about 12 hours if driving the entire road end to end. The Blue Ridge Parkway carves through 26 tunnels, and under numerous hand-crafted stone bridges. There are many overlooks to pull over and take in all the mountainside beauty, so allow plenty of time for this great driving road, and enjoy one of the greatest roads in America!
How to Get to the Blue Ridge Parkway
From Interstate 64, west of Richmond, or east from I-81 and the towns of Staunton/Waynesboro, VA, take exit 99 atop Rockfish Gap for the northern starting point of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Click here for the Google maps link!
3. San Juan Mountain Skyway - Colorado
ROUTE: CO-550
DISTANCE: 129 miles
TIME: 3 hours
Why It's A Great Driving Road In America
This scenic drive in Colorado will take your vehicle on numerous mountain passes that each rise more than 11,000ft above sea level. The grandeur of these amazing mountains can be seen from the many roadside vistas along the San Juan Mountain Skyway. A special 25 mile portion has been named the Million Dollar Highway. This is one of the most scenic drives in Colorado! The descents and climbs are virtually endless. Driving enthusiasts will love the countless number of hairpin turns and switchbacks. (Though caution is needed as some of these are without guardrails). The towns that you'll pass through on this great driving road in Colorado are renowned for their history and beauty. Enjoy one of the most scenic roads in Colorado on the San Juan Mountain Skyway!
How Do I Get to the San Juan Mountain Skyway?
The San Juan Mountain Skyway can be found between Hwy 50 in Montrose, and south all the way to the NM state line. The Million Dollar Hwy is 25 miles from Ouray to Silverton.
Click here for the Google maps link!
4. Natchez Trace Parkway - TN / AL / MS
ROUTES: Natchez Trace Pkwy
DISTANCE: 444 miles
TIME: 10 hours
Why It's a Great Driving Road in America
The Natchez Trace Parkway is truly a one of a kind road, and one of the great driving roads in Alabama. "A Drive Through 10,000 Years of History." This scenic Alabama drive runs through the heart of the De Soto National Forest. This 'Drive Through 10,000 Years of History' has plenty of scenic nature views as you drive through the Alabama hills. The thick piney wood forests generally conceal most of the landscape from the surrounding roads in this forest, so the open space here is a nice respite. Since commercial traffic is prohibited, the Trace is not heavily traveled. There are no stop signs and no stop lights, which allows for a serene, quiet drive through the amazing countryside of Alabama. The entire Natchez Trace Parkway road actually begins up in Tennessee, and it continues all the way down in Mississippi. The 33 miles of the road that's in Alabama cuts through the northwestern tip of the state. Don't miss one of the most scenic drives in Alabama!
How Do I Get to the Natchez Trace Pkwy?
Nashville, Tennessee and Natchez, Mississippi are the end points of the Natchez Trace.
Click here for the free road map link!
5. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
ROUTE: UT-12
DISTANCE: 124 miles
TIME: 2.5 hours
Why It's A Great Driving Road in America
The great thing about the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument drive is the fact that it travels through two of Utah's five national parks - Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. There are sensational views on this great driving road in Utah, including multicolored slot canyons, sandstone cliffs and vast mesas. Scenic Byway 12 is especially dramatic, as it's been designated as an All-American Road. This section features some of the most iconic Western scenery in America. Not only that, but the route south from Boulder to Escalante includes an amazing stretch of road which enables drivers to travel on the high ridge line with cliffs on both sides of the road. This Utah driving road is truly a winding delight. Enjoy the stunning views and diverse terrain changes on the amazing Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument road!
How to Get There
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument can be started at the Red Canyon Visitor Center just off Hwy 89.
Click here for the Google maps link!
6. Back of the Dragon - Virginia
ROUTE: VA-16
DISTANCE: 50 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours
Why It's A Great Driving Road in America
The height of driving enjoyment can be had on VA-16, also referred to as the "Back of the Dragon". This great driving road in Virginia is perfect for sports car enthusiasts, as it's one of the most technical roads in the state. The drive will take you alongside Virginia's mountains full of twisting curves, switchbacks and various elevation changes. It's a beautiful, scenic road, but you'll probably be spending most of your focus on the technical aspect of this drive. Fortunately, there a few nice pull-offs with opportunities to properly take in the great mountain views. Sports car drivers will also appreciate the fact that there's very little traffic on the back of the dragon, which makes it one of the best driving roads in Virginia!
How to Get There
This great driving road in Virginia can be started in Tazewell and continues 50 miles to Troutdale.
Click here for the Google maps link!
7. Valley of Fire - Nevada
ROUTES: Lakeshore Road, NV-167, Valley of Fire Hwy
DISTANCE: 103 miles
TIME: 2 hours
Why It's A Great Driving Road in America
The Valley of Fire is one of the best driving roads in Nevada. This scenic route includes the famous Hoover Dam. Start at the Dam and head northwest along the serene Lake Mead and up to the geologic wonderland of the Valley of Fire State Park. Part of what makes this great driving road in Nevada so exceptional is the variety of scenery. There's Aztec sandstones, canyons, lake reservoirs and vast, open desert road. Be sure to experience one of the best scenic drives in Nevada!
How to Get There
Start this great driving road in Nevada from NV-172 near the Hoover Dam. Drive north on Lakeshore Road. Continue north onto NV-167 through the Valley of Fire Hwy.
Click here for the Google maps link!
8. Angeles Crest Highway - California
ROUTE: CA-2
DISTANCE: 60 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours
Why It's A Great Driving Road in America
This world-famous scenic California driving road is loved by spirited sports car fanatics as well as motorcyclists looking to test their riding skills. The Angeles Crest Hwy offers sports car drivers an amazing drive through its misty trails of the Angeles National Forest. This great driving road in California features fantastic views of the Saint Gabriel mountains and Mojave desert. The curvy mountain road winds through the jagged landscape and around mountain peaks and the scent of fresh pine fills the air. There's also a few long stretches to open up the accelerator on. With its twisty curves and awesome scenery, the Angeles Crest Highway is one of the best roads for a sports car.
How to Get There
The Angeles Crest Hwy can be started just off Interstate 210 in La Cañada Flintridge, CA. The road traverses northeast for 64 miles to Hwy 138 in Pinon Hills, CA.
Click here for the Google maps link!
9. Three Twisted Sisters - Texas
ROUTES: TX-41, 337, 335, 336
DISTANCE: 112 miles
TIME: 2.5 hours
Why It's A Great Driving Road in America
Locals call this great driving road in Texas its own 'Tail of the Dragon', and for good reason. These roads carve and twist among clear rivers, through the dense green hills of Central Texas. There's constant switchbacks for miles, sweeping curves looking out over some nice vistas and some nice downhill curves - all of which offers sports car drivers an extremely technical, fun road to navigate. Spring time is a great season to drive here as far as the scenery. The flowers are in full bloom everywhere and the roadside colors here are terrific. Enjoy one of the great drives in Texas through some of the best scenery the state has to offer!
How Do I Get to the Twisted Sisters?
The Twisted Sisters are three roads in Texas hill country northwest of San Antonio. Drivers traditionally start this route in Medina, TX from Hwy 16 and head west.
Click here for the Google maps link!
10. The Lolo Pass - ID / MT
ROUTE: US-12
DISTANCE: 207 miles
TIME: 4 hours
Why It's A Great Driving Road in America
The Lolo Pass road is a part of the tremendous Lewis & Clark Highway. Riding up to Lolo Pass is one of the most unique, awe-inspiring experiences to drive. From the pass, you can see beautiful views of the Montana mountain scenery. This part of US-12 winds through stunning scenery and the road provides well marked curves. The pavement quality is very good and it features smooth twisting curves along with the kind of roadway a sports car enthusiast would love. This is considered to be one of the best motorcycling rides in America. The continuous curves, the roadside beauty and overall quality of road will make this an amazing drive. If you're looking for a great driving road in Idaho, look no further than the Lolo Pass on US-12!
How Do I Get to the Lolo Pass?
The Lolo Pass scenic driving road can be started on US-12 in Lolo, Montana. It runs west across the entire state of Idaho to Lewiston.
Click here for the Google maps link!
12. The Triple Nickel - Ohio
ROUTE: OH-555
DISTANCE: 58 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours
Why It's A Great Driving Road in America
Ohio Route 555 should be on any spirited driver's bucket list. This great driving road in Ohio will delight sports car enthusiasts with its challenging twisting curves. The drive is one of the best scenic roads in Ohio, as it will take you along the beautifully isolated farms of the southeastern part of the state. Travel on the rolling hills with an abundance of turns and elevation dips. There's not much traffic as this OH motorcycle road is often very secluded. The most challenging part of the road is the portion from Brush Creek, OH to Chesterhill, OH known as the Triple Nickel. Here especially there are lots of tight corners, elevation changes as well as blind hills to navigate. As of 2023, the road pavement quality is very good, as it has recently been repaved. If you're looking for a fun, challenging road for your sports car, Ohio Route 555 is the road for you!
How Do I Get to the Triple Nickel?
OH-555 can be started just a few miles south of Interstate 70. Drive 50 miles to where the roads meets with Hwy 7.
Click here for the Google maps link!
FIND A GREAT ROAD TO DRIVE YOUR SPORTS CAR!
Good Driving Roads Near Me
ALABAMA - ARIZONA - ARKANSAS - CALIFORNIA - COLORADO - CONNECTICUT - DELAWARE - FLORIDA - GEORGIA - IDAHO - ILLINOIS - INDIANA - IOWA - KANSAS - KENTUCKY - LOUISIANA - MAINE - MARYLAND - MASSACHUSETTS - MICHIGAN - MINNESOTA - MISSOURI - MONTANA - NEBRASKA - NEVADA - NEW HAMPSHIRE - NEW JERSEY - NEW MEXICO - NEW YORK - NORTH CAROLINA - NORTH DAKOTA - OHIO - OKLAHOMA - OREGON - PENNSYLVANIA - RHODE ISLAND - SOUTH CAROLINA - SOUTH DAKOTA - TENNESSEE - TEXAS - UTAH - VERMONT - VIRGINIA - WASHINGTON - WEST VIRGINIA - WISCONSIN - WYOMING
PARTNERED WITH greatMOTORCYCLEroads.com
Looking for the best motorcycle roads in America? Check out the best motorcycle rides near me.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
GreatDrivingRoads.com
Seth Profenna has been travelling the United States for years, discovering the best scenic roads to drive for sports cars and road trips. This website is dedicated to sports car enthusiasts looking for the best roads to drive in every state in America.