Thailand, Nan and Phayao
Smooth, empty and endlessly rhythmic along the ridgelines of the Laos border country.
Length
128 km
In miles
79.5 mi
Driving time
4 hr
Atlas rating
8.9 / 10
The run
Song Kwae to Chiang Kham, following the 1148. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Best from November to February
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 15 April 2026
Nearby
241 km away
Mae Hong Son Loop, Route 1095
More than 1800 corners through jungle ridges, the most complete driving road in Thailand.
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Ma Pi Leng Pass
A shelf road cut into limestone cliffs high above the Nho Que river gorge.
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Hai Van Pass
Ocean cloud pass with stacked hairpins climbing above the South China Sea.
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Tianmen Mountain Road
Ninety nine hairpins stacked up a sheer cliff to a natural arch in the rock.
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Cameron Highlands Road, Route 59
A tight old colonial climb through rainforest into the tea terraces.
1889 km away
Prithvi Highway
River gorges the whole way with the Annapurna wall waiting at the end.