United States
40 scored roads in United States, reranked for motorbikes rather than for cars, with the fit score shown next to each one.
Riders and drivers want different things from the same map. A single track lane that ruins a weekend in a wide car is often the best thing you will ride all year, and a fast open A road that flatters a grand tourer can be a dull hour on a bike.
Every country page below reranks the scored library for corner quality and scenery, drops the width penalty that applies to cars, and flags the seasonal gravel and noise restrictions that increasingly decide where bikes are welcome.
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. Checked against current closure and restriction notices for United States. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Ranked
01 · Montana and Wyoming
Swaths of switchbacks climb to 3337 metres past alpine lakes and snowfields.
67.7 mi · Rating 9.7 / 10 · Fit 10.2 / 10
Open only from late May to mid October
02 · Wyoming
Switchbacks over Dead Indian Pass into a canyon nobody else seems to know about.
47.2 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.8 / 10
Closed by snow in winter above Dead Indian Pass
03 · Hawaii
Sea level to 3055 metres in 38 km, 29 switchbacks and a crater at the end.
23.6 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.8 / 10
Sunrise entry needs a reservation, cold at the top
04 · Utah
Switchbacks out of Zion Canyon into a mile long tunnel with windows cut in the rock.
24.2 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.7 / 10
Escort required for large vehicles in the tunnel
05 · Arizona
Red rock Sedona at one end, pine forest at the other, with a hairpin climb between.
28 mi · Rating 9.2 / 10 · Fit 9.7 / 10
Ice on the switchbacks in winter
06 · Colorado
No guardrails, thin air and switchbacks to the highest paved road in North America.
28 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10 · Fit 9.6 / 10
Open only from late May to early September
07 · Utah
Slickrock, the Hogback ridge with drops both sides, and red canyon after red canyon.
123 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10 · Fit 9.5 / 10
Snow on Boulder Mountain from November to April
08 · Colorado
A mining road cut into the San Juan cliffs with sheer drops and no barrier.
24.9 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10 · Fit 9.5 / 10
Snow, avalanche and no guardrails in winter
09 · California
The Pacific coast at its most theatrical, cliff curves above the open ocean.
90.1 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10 · Fit 9.4 / 10
Landslide closures are frequent, check before setting out
10 · Tennessee and North Carolina
318 curves in 11 miles, the most famous stretch of asphalt in America.
11.2 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.4 / 10
Busy with bikes at weekends, heavily policed
11 · California
The steepest Sierra crossing, narrow and demanding with barely a car on it midweek.
47.8 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.3 / 10
Closed in winter, 26 percent gradients
12 · Tennessee and North Carolina
Wide, fast and empty, the grown up alternative to the Tail of the Dragon next door.
42.9 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.3 / 10
Ice and closures possible in winter
13 · Colorado
Narrow shelf tarmac to 3687 metres, tight, exposed and completely absorbing.
31.7 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.3 / 10
Closed from early November to late May
14 · Colorado
A full loop of the San Juans taking in Coal Bank, Molas and Lizard Head passes.
118.1 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.2 / 10
Snow closes sections in winter
15 · Washington
Glacier peaks, turquoise reservoirs and long clean sweepers with almost no traffic.
70.8 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.1 / 10
Closed between Ross Dam and Winthrop from November to April
16 · California
Los Angeles's mountain playground, hours of clean sweepers above the basin.
65.9 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10 · Fit 9.1 / 10
Snow closures on the high sections in winter
17 · Colorado
The highest continuous paved road in America, tundra above the treeline the whole way.
47.8 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.1 / 10
Closed from mid October to late May
18 · California
Yosemite high country, granite domes and meadows, then a drop to Mono Lake.
62.1 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.1 / 10
Closed from November to late May or June
19 · Colorado
156 corners to 4302 metres on the hill climb road every driver knows by name.
19.3 mi · Rating 9.2 / 10 · Fit 9.1 / 10
Summit closes in bad weather, brake checks on descent
20 · Alaska
Turnagain Arm tides on one side, glaciers on the other, all the way to the sea.
126.8 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.1 / 10
Ice and avalanche control closures in winter
Before you go
Parts of Tyrol and several Swiss and Italian valleys restrict loud motorcycles or ban them on specific days. Fines are high and bikes are impounded.
A two thousand metre pass can be fifteen degrees colder than the valley you left forty minutes ago. Pack for the summit, not the start.
Filling stations are rare above the tree line. Fill in the valley before every pass rather than assuming there is something at the top.
Common questions
The Dolomite pass loop, the Col de Turini, the Furka Susten Grimsel triangle and the Transfagarasan all rank at the top for corner quality on two wheels.
Yes. Several Tyrolean valleys and some Swiss roads restrict motorcycles above set noise limits, and a few close to bikes on specific days. Check locally before you ride.