United States, North Carolina
Arguably the best driving base in America, with the Blue Ridge Parkway running through town.
First instinct from Asheville: head north on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Scored roads in range
4
Nearest great road
71 mi
Best rated nearby
9.3 / 10
Shortest full loop
4 hr 27 min
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Every road in the library carries a driving and scenery score set by the same method. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 1 April 2026
60 to 150 km from the centre
Far enough to feel like a proper trip, close enough to be home for dinner.
Roughly 7 hr 12 min of driving if you string the lot together and come back the way you came.
78 mi away · Tennessee and North Carolina
318 curves in 11 miles, the most famous stretch of asphalt in America.
18 km · 11.2 mi · Atlas rating 9.3 / 10
86 mi away · Tennessee and North Carolina
Wide, fast and empty, the grown up alternative to the Tail of the Dragon next door.
69 km · 42.9 mi · Atlas rating 9.3 / 10
71 mi away · Tennessee
489 curves in 12 miles over Iron Mountain, a proper southern Appalachian sprint.
19 km · 11.8 mi · Atlas rating 8.9 / 10
150 to 400 km from the centre
Leave early, take the long way back and make a day of it.
Roughly 23 hr 58 min of driving if you string the lot together and come back the way you came.
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Nearby cities