United States · CO
High altitude driving at its purest, with paved roads above 4,000 metres and a run of passes no other state can match.
Scored roads
6
Combined length
269.7 mi
Driving time
11 hr 27 min
Best season
Late May to early October, once the high passes clear
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. Scores combine driving quality and scenery, checked against current closure notices for Colorado. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 14 March 2026
Ranked
01 · Colorado
A mining road cut into the San Juan cliffs with sheer drops and no barrier.
24.9 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10 · 1 hr 15 min
Snow, avalanche and no guardrails in winter
02 · Colorado
The highest continuous paved road in America, tundra above the treeline the whole way.
47.8 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · 1 hr 56 min
Closed from mid October to late May
03 · Colorado
Narrow shelf tarmac to 3687 metres, tight, exposed and completely absorbing.
31.7 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · 1 hr 36 min
Closed from early November to late May
04 · Colorado
A full loop of the San Juans taking in Coal Bank, Molas and Lizard Head passes.
118.1 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · 4 hr 45 min
Snow closes sections in winter
05 · Colorado
156 corners to 4302 metres on the hill climb road every driver knows by name.
19.3 mi · Rating 9.2 / 10 · 47 min
Summit closes in bad weather, brake checks on descent
06 · Colorado
No guardrails, thin air and switchbacks to the highest paved road in North America.
28 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10 · 1 hr 8 min
Open only from late May to early September
Planning
Denver, Durango or Ouray
Late May to early October, once the high passes clear
Allow roughly 3 days to drive all of these without rushing, plus transit time to reach the state.