Drivers AtlasThe world's best roads

A weekend · The Alps

A weekend driving in the Alps

The densest concentration of great driving roads anywhere, and the reason most touring drivers own a car at all.

One night away, one great road as the centrepiece and no more than four hours of driving on either day. Anything more and the weekend stops being a break.

Days

2 days, 1 nights

Rough distance

323.1 mi

Daily average

161.6 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 31 May 2026

Day by day

How the trip breaks up

Day 1

Passo dello Stelvio

  • Passo dello Stelvio · 30.4 mi · 9.9 / 10. Eighty four hairpins stacked above the treeline make this Europe's most theatrical mountain pass.

About 161.6 mi and 4 hr 33 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 2

Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse

  • Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse · 29.8 mi · 9.8 / 10. Austria's grandest high alpine road climbs to Franz Josefs Hohe beneath the country's tallest peak.

About 161.6 mi and 4 hr 32 min behind the wheel including transit.

Practical

Where to start and what it costs

Base yourself

Bolzano, Innsbruck, Andermatt or Chamonix

Nights to book

1 night. 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 323.1 miles of driving plus any vignettes or tunnel fees for the countries you cross.

Other lengths

More time, or less, in the Alps