Seven days · The Alps
The densest concentration of great driving roads anywhere, and the reason most touring drivers own a car at all.
A week is enough to link two regions or to loop one properly with two nights in the best base. Keep at least one rest day in the plan.
Days
7 days, 6 nights
Rough distance
1391.9 mi
Daily average
198.8 mi
Best months
Late June to early October, once every pass is open
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 2 May 2026
Day by day
Day 1
About 198.8 mi and 6 hr 13 min behind the wheel including transit.
Day 2
About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 55 min behind the wheel including transit.
Day 3
About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 4 min behind the wheel including transit.
Day 4
About 198.8 mi and 6 hr 53 min behind the wheel including transit.
Day 5
About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 17 min behind the wheel including transit.
Day 6
About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 56 min behind the wheel including transit.
Day 7
About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 38 min behind the wheel including transit.
Ready made
4 days
The classic run south from England to the Italian lakes, taken the long way through the Alps rather than straight down the autoroute.
4 days
The best pass driving in Europe sits at the end of this one, reached through Germany and Austria rather than Switzerland.
3 days
Straight down France and into the Alpes Maritimes, with the Route Napoléon and Col de Turini as the finale.
3 days
The Route des Grandes Alpes, sea to lake, and arguably the finest continuous stretch of pass driving anywhere.
Practical
Bolzano, Innsbruck, Andermatt or Chamonix
6 nights. On anything longer than five days, book two nights in the best base rather than moving hotel every evening.
Budget for roughly 1391.9 miles of driving plus any vignettes or tunnel fees for the countries you cross.
Other lengths