Everyone knows the Stelvio Pass, the Tail of the Dragon, and the Transfagarasan. They're famous for a reason. They're also packed with traffic, lined with photographers, and driven so frequently that the experience can feel more like a procession than a drive.

The best driving roads in the world aren't always the most famous ones. Some of the most rewarding roads are the ones that never made it onto a Top Gear special — roads that local enthusiasts guard quietly because the lack of traffic is exactly what makes them great.

Here are 14 underrated driving roads that deserve far more attention than they get. The selection criteria: real corner density, genuine elevation change, quality surface, low traffic, and a driving experience that rivals the famous names.

Contents

• Quick Comparison Table
• United States
• Europe
• Rest of World
• How to Get the Most from These Roads
• FAQ

Quick Comparison Table

United States

1. Coronado Trail (US-191) — Arizona

This might be the most underrated driving road in America. 460+ curves across 123 miles through the White Mountains of eastern Arizona, climbing from high desert at 3,500 feet to alpine forest at 9,000 feet. The elevation change alone — 5,500 feet — puts it in elite territory.

Why is it overlooked? Location. It's a three-hour drive from Phoenix and five hours from any other major city. There's nothing at either end that draws casual tourists. The road exists between Clifton and Alpine — two small towns most people have never heard of.

That remoteness is exactly the point. Traffic is almost nonexistent. On a weekday, you can drive the entire 123 miles and count the cars you pass on two hands. The surface quality varies — excellent in most sections, rougher at the southern end — but the corner variety is outstanding. Tight switchbacks, fast sweepers, blind crests, and open alpine straights all appear within the same drive.

2. FM 337 — Texas Hill Country

Texas isn't a state people associate with great driving roads. Flat. Straight. Highways. That stereotype is completely wrong once you reach the Hill Country west of San Antonio.

FM 337 between Medina and Leakey is 55 miles of rolling elevation changes, continuous sweeping corners, and zero traffic. The road drops into the Frio River valley, climbs back out, and repeats this pattern for the entire route. The surface is excellent — smooth Texas tarmac with good lane markings.

What makes FM 337 special is the rhythm. Unlike mountain switchbacks where you're constantly braking and accelerating, FM 337 flows. Medium-speed corners link together naturally. You find a pace and hold it. The surrounding terrain is dramatic limestone hills covered in cedar and live oak.

Nearby FM roads (FM 336, FM 335, FM 187) are equally good. You can string together an entire day of driving without repeating a single road.

3. Cherohala Skyway — North Carolina / Tennessee

The Cherohala Skyway runs 43 miles across the Appalachian Mountains between Robbinsville, NC and Tellico Plains, TN. It climbs to 5,400 feet, drops into valleys, and delivers sweeping mountain corners through dense hardwood forest.

So why isn't it famous? Because the Tail of the Dragon is 20 minutes away. The Dragon's 318-curves-in-11-miles marketing dominates the region. Everyone drives to US-129 and ignores everything else.

Here's the thing: the Cherohala is a better overall drive for most people. The corners are faster and more flowing. The scenery is arguably better — long-range mountain views versus forest canopy. And the traffic is a fraction of what the Dragon sees. If you're in the area for a Tail of the Dragon trip, do yourself a favor and drive the Cherohala too.

4. Moonshiner 28 (NC-28) — North Carolina

Another road hiding in the Dragon's shadow. NC-28 runs 60 miles along the shore of Lake Fontana and through the Nantahala National Forest. The corners are fast, flowing, and varied — a mix of sweepers, medium bends, and occasional tight sections that keep you engaged without exhausting you.

The "Moonshiner" nickname comes from the road's history as a bootlegger route. The modern road is well-maintained, wide enough to be comfortable but narrow enough to feel immersive. On weekday mornings, you might have it entirely to yourself.

5. Route 112 / Kancamagus Highway — New Hampshire

Everyone knows the Kancamagus as a fall foliage drive. Tour buses, leaf peepers, slow traffic in October. But drive it in May or June — after the snow melts and before the tourists arrive — and it's a completely different road.

34 miles through the White Mountains with over 100 corners, 2,800 feet of elevation change, and clean New England tarmac. The road climbs through Kancamagus Pass at 2,855 feet, drops into the Swift River valley, and winds along the river through tight forest sections. The corner variety is excellent — hairpins on the climb, fast sweepers through the valleys.

Europe

6. Susten Pass — Switzerland

The Swiss Alps have so many incredible passes that some get lost in the shuffle. The Susten Pass is one of them. While everyone queues up for the Stelvio or Furka, the Susten offers 28 miles of perfectly surfaced alpine road with 50+ corners, 26 bridges, and several tunnels cut through raw granite.

The surface quality is phenomenal — Swiss mountain roads are maintained to an almost absurd standard. The corners are varied: tight hairpins on the southern approach, flowing sweepers through the central section, and a dramatic descent through engineered tunnels on the north side.

What makes the Susten genuinely special is the engineering. The road was built as a showpiece of Swiss civil engineering. The tunnels, bridges, and retaining walls are integrated into the landscape with a precision you don't see on other passes. You're not just driving a good road — you're driving through a work of engineering art.

7. N222 Douro Valley — Portugal

Once voted the "best road in the world" by Avis (the rental car company, who arguably know a thing or two about roads), the N222 runs 17 miles along the Douro River through terraced vineyard hillsides in northern Portugal.

93 bends in 27 kilometers. The corner density is extreme — higher per mile than the Stelvio. The road follows the river contours, climbing and dropping through the vineyard terraces with constant elevation change and relentless corners.

Why is it overlooked? Portugal isn't where most driving enthusiasts think to go. The Alps dominate the European driving road conversation. But the N222 delivers a driving experience that stands alongside any Alpine pass, with far less traffic and dramatically lower costs. Port wine at the end is a bonus.

8. Sa Calobra (MA-2141) — Mallorca, Spain

26 hairpin turns, a 270-degree spiral bridge, and a 600-meter descent through limestone cliffs — all packed into 8 miles. Sa Calobra is objectively one of the most dramatic roads in Europe, and most driving enthusiasts have never heard of it.

The road descends from the Tramuntana mountains to a small cove at sea level. It was built in the 1930s and hasn't been straightened or modernized since. Every corner is original. The spiral bridge — where the road passes under itself — is an engineering wonder that predates the modern era of road design.

It's popular with cyclists (it's one of the most famous cycling climbs in the world), so timing matters. Early morning before the cycling groups arrive is ideal. The surface is good, the views are staggering, and the corners are relentless.

9. Gorges du Verdon (D71) — Provence, France

Europe's deepest canyon — 700 meters of sheer limestone walls — with a road carved along the rim. The D71 on the north side and D952/D23 on the south side offer completely different driving experiences along the same canyon.

The north rim road (Route des Cretes) is the more dramatic option: narrow, exposed, with hairpins that hang over the void. Some corners have tunnels cut through rock with windows looking into the canyon. There are few barriers. The surface is rough in places but sound overall.

The Gorges du Verdon is known as a natural wonder and a kayaking destination. Most visitors look at the canyon from viewpoints and move on. They don't drive the roads. Those roads — particularly the north rim — are among the most visceral driving experiences in Europe.

10. Black Forest High Road (B500) — Germany

When people think of driving in Germany, they think Autobahn. Unlimited speed. Straight lanes. That reputation completely overshadows the fact that Germany has some of the best mountain roads in Europe — and the B500 through the Black Forest is the prime example.

37 miles of flowing sweepers through dense spruce forest, with consistent elevation changes, excellent road surface, and that unmistakable German road engineering precision. The B500 doesn't have Alpine drama — no hairpins hanging over 1,000-meter drops. What it has is rhythm. The corners flow together at moderate speeds in a way that rewards smoothness over aggression.

Perfect for a morning drive. Low traffic during the week. Excellent cafes at Baden-Baden on the north end.

Rest of World

11. Crown Range Road — Queenstown, New Zealand

New Zealand's highest main road climbs from the Cardrona Valley to 1,076 meters before descending into Queenstown in a series of hairpin switchbacks with dramatic drop-offs and views across the Remarkables mountain range.

Most tourists in Queenstown go to Milford Sound. They don't drive the Crown Range. Those who do find a road with genuine Alpine character — tight hairpins, significant elevation change, and the kind of exposed mountain driving that requires real attention.

The surface is well-maintained and the road is wide enough for two cars, though it narrows at the top. Winter can bring snow and ice — check conditions. Spring through autumn, it's one of the best short driving roads in the Southern Hemisphere.

12. Hai Van Pass — Central Vietnam

Made famous by the Top Gear Vietnam Special, the Hai Van Pass is usually associated with motorbikes. But it's equally brilliant in a car.

13 miles of mountain road climbing from sea level to 500 meters, with over 40 corners, ocean views on both sides, and a French colonial fortification at the summit. The road surface has improved significantly in recent years — the pothole reputation is outdated for the main pass road.

The driving experience is unique: tropical vegetation, sudden fog banks rolling in from the ocean, and a mix of tight hairpins and faster sweeping sections. Early morning is best — less motorbike traffic and better visibility. Rods works here too. On unfamiliar mountain roads in a foreign country, having corner severity called out through your speakers takes the guesswork out of what's around the next blind bend.

13. Trollstigen — Norway

Don't dismiss Trollstigen for its length. At just 6.8 miles with 11 hairpins, it's short. But those 6.8 miles include a 10% average gradient, a 320-meter waterfall next to the road, and hairpin turns so tight that the road crosses itself.

The engineering is dramatic — stone walls, single-lane bridges, and viewing platforms cantilevered over the cliff edge. The descent (driving north to south) is the more dramatic direction. Each hairpin reveals a new angle of the valley and waterfall below.

Trollstigen is typically open from late May to October. Norwegian mountain weather is unpredictable — fog and rain can appear within minutes. That variability is part of the experience, but it demands attention.

14. Sani Pass (Paved Section) — South Africa

The Sani Pass is famous as a 4x4-only gravel road climbing the Drakensberg escarpment into Lesotho. What most people don't know is that the lower section of the approach road — the paved portion — is a genuinely excellent driving road in its own right.

The paved road from Underberg to the start of the gravel section runs through dramatic mountain terrain with tight corners, significant elevation change, and very little traffic. The surface is good, the scenery is spectacular (Drakensberg peaks towering above), and you have the road largely to yourself.

You don't need a 4x4 to enjoy this section. Drive the paved road, turn around at the gravel, and drive it back. Both directions are rewarding.

How to Get the Most from These Roads

These roads reward preparation.

Time your visit. Weekday mornings are almost universally the best time for any driving road. Less traffic, better light, cooler temperatures. For mountain passes, check seasonal closures — many European and New Zealand passes close for winter.

Drive both directions. Every road drives differently in each direction. The descent often has tighter corners than the climb, and the visual perspective changes completely. If the road is good, do it twice.

Preview before you go. Google Street View and YouTube onboard footage let you see the road before you commit the drive. For remote roads like the Coronado Trail, this preparation saves you from unpleasant surprises.

Use pace notes on unfamiliar roads. The whole point of driving underrated roads is that they're unfamiliar — you don't know what the next corner does. Apps like Rods call out corner difficulty in real time through your speakers, so you're anticipating corners rather than discovering them. That's especially valuable on roads where a blind corner could hide a tightening hairpin or a crest.

For more on finding driving roads through different methods, our guide on how to find great driving roads covers everything from satellite maps to local knowledge. And if you want the famous names, the best driving roads in the world has the full list.

FAQ: Underrated Driving Roads

What makes a driving road underrated? An underrated road delivers corner density, elevation change, and surface quality comparable to famous roads like the Stelvio or Tail of the Dragon — but gets a fraction of the traffic and attention. Usually it's a matter of location (remote), marketing (no tourist board promoting it), or being overshadowed by a more famous neighbor.

Are underrated roads safe to drive? Generally yes, with the usual caveats for any mountain or rural road. Lower traffic is actually a safety advantage. The main risks on remote roads are limited cell service, fewer gas stations, and potential wildlife. Preview the road on Google Street View, download offline maps, and carry a full tank of fuel.

Where can I find more hidden gem driving roads? Motorcycle forums are the best source — riders actively seek out corner-dense, low-traffic roads. The how to find great driving roads guide covers every method in detail, from satellite map techniques to community forums.

Should I drive these roads in a sports car or any car? Any car. The joy of a great driving road isn't about speed — it's about engagement. A Miata, a GTI, even a rental sedan will reward you on these roads. Corner density and elevation change are fun at any speed. What matters is that you're actively driving, not passively cruising.