Whether it’s to take in some wonderful sights or to find somewhere to truly put your skills behind the wheel to the test, nothing beats hitting the open road. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of 10 of the greatest drives in the world for the motoring enthusiast with a bucket list.

The greatest drives in the world: Highway 163 USA

The greatest drives in the world: Mile marker 13 on US route 163 in Arizona. Photo by Rozanne Hakala, flickr
Mile marker 13 on US route 163 in Arizona. Photo by Rozanne Hakala, flickr

Highway 163 is a 64 mile stretch of road that runs small town of Kayenta in Arizona, through to the hamlet of Bluff in Utah. Despite its unassuming name, 163 is one of the world’s most recognisable roads. With its long straights that run through the legendary Monument Valley, this highway is the crown jewel of the American West.

Great Ocean Road, Australia

The greatest drives in the world: Sunset at Cape Nelson part of the Great Ocean Road. Photo by Yury Prokopenko, flickr
Sunset at Cape Nelson part of the Great Ocean Road. Photo by Yury Prokopenko, flickr

A 243km National Heritage site, The Great Ocean road runs between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Warrnambool. It boasts some of the greatest sights in Australia such as the 12 Apostles, massive cliff drops and first class views of the Southern Ocean. It was built by returning soldiers from WWI making it the largest war memorial in the world.

Highway 6 New Zealand Southern Alps

The greatest drives in the world: Highway 6 crosses over Whataroa River. Photo by Mark in New Zealand, flickr
Highway 6 crosses over Whataroa River. Photo by Mark in New Zealand, flickr

Pretty much all of New Zealand’s southern island is a feast for the eyes and Highway 6 that runs up the spine of the island is the best way to get the most out of it. The run from resort town Wanaka to Hokitika is the best, cutting through the heart of the island and exposing you to glaciers, high mountains, jet blue glacial lakes and placid coast, sometimes all at once.

Stelvio Pass, Italian Eastern Alps

The greatest drives in the world: Stelvio Pass. Photo by Wolfgang Staudt, flickr
Stelvio Pass. Photo by Wolfgang Staudt, flickr

Named the greatest driving road in the world by motoring program Top Gear, this stretch of road in the Italian Alps is definitely one for the more car savvy driver. The snaking curves of this road are protected with little more than a small barrier and there is not much stopping you from swinging off the side and tumbling down the mountain.

The Atlantic Road Norway

The greatest drives in the world: The Atlantic Road Norway. Photo by Martin Ystenes, flickr
The Atlantic Road Norway. Photo by Martin Ystenes, flickr

Winner of Norway’s Construction of the Century in 2005 and located between the towns of Kristiansund and Molde, the Atlantic Road is one of the most breathtaking displays of creative highway construction in the world. The road is built across several small islands and skerries which are connected by a number of causeways and bridges.

Seven Mile Bridge, USA

The greatest drives in the world: Sun setting over the old Seven Mile Bridge. Photo by Mike Druckenbrod, flickr
Sun setting over the old Seven Mile Bridge. Photo by Mike Druckenbrod, flickr

One of the longest bridges in the world, the Seven Mile Bridge connects Marathon Florida to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. It’s quite a famous bridge having appeared in a lot of movies. For good reason too, it makes a spectacular landmark as it stretches out over the blue sea below.

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Tianmen Mountain Road, China

The greatest drives in the world: Hairpins, Tianmen Mountain. Photo by Tom Horton, flickr
Hairpins, Tianmen Mountain. Photo by Tom Horton, flickr

It could be called something of a Chinese counterpart to the Stelvio Pass, but that would be doing this road a disservice. Located in Tianmen Mountain National Park, Zhangjiajie, this path is so steep that most choose to use the nearby cable cars to ascend the mountain. For those with the stomach, the dive up offers 99 bends and at the top, a view of Tianmen cave.

Chapman’s Peak Drive, South Africa

The greatest drives in the world: Chapman’s Peak at Sunset. Photo by Panorama, flickr
Chapman’s Peak at Sunset. Photo by Panorama, flickr

Another cliff-hugging ocean view drive, Chapman’s Peak skirts along the cliff face between Noordhoek and Hout Bay on the Atlantic coast. Winding its way through 9kms and 119 curves and bends, there are plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the magnificent view.

Death Valley National Park, USA

The greatest drives in the world: Highway 160, Death Valley. Photo by Teri, flickr
Highway 160, Death Valley. Photo by Teri, flickr

The travel from Las Vegas to Yosemite National Park via Highway 160 takes you from the neon hustling of the Vegas Strip to some of the most bleak and lifeless terrain on Earth. The sister to Monument Valley, Death Valley National Park provides and equally breathtaking and barren drive.

Transfăgărășan, Romania

The greatest drives in the world: Transfăgărășan, Romania, Photo by Matteo, flickr
Transfăgărășan, Romania, Photo by Matteo, flickr

Built originally as a strategic military route, the Transfăgărășan or DN7C connects the historic Romanian regions of Transylvania and Wallachia. Ascending to 2034 meters in altitude, the road is steep and lined with hairpin curves, s-turns and sudden descents.