Drivers AtlasThe world's best roads

Three days · Wales

Three days driving in Wales

Short, intense mountain roads with almost no dual carriageway to get in the way.

Two nights lets you push properly out of the home range. Plan a longer run on day one, the best driving in the middle and an easy return.

Days

3 days, 2 nights

Rough distance

559.2 mi

Daily average

186.4 mi

Best months

April to October

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. Daily distances are set for enjoyable driving rather than maximum ground covered. How we score roads.

Last reviewed 28 May 2026

Day by day

How the trip breaks up

Day 1

Black Mountain Pass and Llanberis Pass

  • Black Mountain Pass · 11.8 mi · 9.4 / 10. A ribbon of hairpins climbing a bare Welsh moorland made famous by Top Gear.
  • Llanberis Pass · 9.9 mi · 9.3 / 10. A dramatic pass beneath Snowdon's crags linking two of Wales's most storied villages.

About 186.4 mi and 4 hr 53 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 2

Evo Triangle, A543 and Gospel Pass

  • Evo Triangle, A543 · 14.9 mi · 8.9 / 10. One leg of the legendary Evo Triangle, a flowing high speed moorland test road.
  • Gospel Pass · 6.8 mi · 8.9 / 10. Wales's highest surfaced road climbs open sheepwalks above the Wye valley.

About 186.4 mi and 4 hr 49 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 3

Evo Triangle, A5 and Horseshoe Pass

  • Evo Triangle, A5 · 6.2 mi · 8.8 / 10. The connecting stretch of the Evo Triangle beloved for its rhythmic fast corners.
  • Horseshoe Pass · 11.2 mi · 8.8 / 10. A famous horseshoe bend switchback climbing out of the Vale of Llangollen.

About 186.4 mi and 4 hr 39 min behind the wheel including transit.

Practical

Where to start and what it costs

Base yourself

Betws y Coed or Brecon

Nights to book

2 nights. On anything longer than five days, book two nights in the best base rather than moving hotel every evening.

Fuel and tolls

Budget for roughly 559.2 miles of driving plus any vignettes or tunnel fees for the countries you cross.

Other lengths

More time, or less, in Wales