United States, Colorado
No guardrails, thin air and switchbacks to the highest paved road in North America.
Length
45 km
In miles
28 mi
Driving time
1 hr 8 min
Atlas rating
9.1 / 10
The run
Idaho Springs to Mount Blue Sky summit, following the SR 5. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Open only from late May to early September
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 5 June 2026
Nearby
89 km away
Trail Ridge Road
The highest continuous paved road in America, tundra above the treeline the whole way.
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Pikes Peak Highway
156 corners to 4302 metres on the hill climb road every driver knows by name.
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Independence Pass
Narrow shelf tarmac to 3687 metres, tight, exposed and completely absorbing.
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San Juan Skyway
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266 km away
Million Dollar Highway
A mining road cut into the San Juan cliffs with sheer drops and no barrier.
489 km away
US 163 Monument Valley
The straight every film crew shoots, buttes rising straight out of the desert floor.
Drive here from
Plan around it
Curated drives
A to B journeys
2 days
Los Angeles to San Francisco
Highway 1 through Big Sur, the coast drive every other coast drive gets compared with.
4 days
Washington DC to Asheville
Skyline Drive into the Blue Ridge Parkway, 1000 km of ridge top tarmac with no lorries on it.
3 days
Nashville to The Great Smoky Mountains
Country music to 318 curves in 11 miles, taking in the Cherohala Skyway on the way.