Drivers AtlasThe world's best roads

Head to head

Road versus road

Some arguments never end. We have taken 24 of them, put the numbers side by side and committed to an answer, including the cases where the famous road is no longer the right one.

The duels

Pick your argument

Italy and Switzerland

Passo dello Stelvio vs Furka Pass

Is the Stelvio still the best pass in the Alps, or has Switzerland quietly taken the crown?

Our pick: Furka Pass · Rating 9.4 / 10

Italy and Austria

Passo dello Stelvio vs Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse

Two of the most photographed alpine roads in existence. Which one deserves your only free weekend?

Our pick: Passo dello Stelvio · Rating 9.9 / 10

United Kingdom

Bealach na Ba vs Hardknott Pass

Britain's two hardest climbs. Which one is the real test?

Our pick: Bealach na Ba · Rating 9.9 / 10

United Kingdom

Bealach na Ba vs Glencoe Road

Single track drama or the great sweeping Highland A road?

Our pick: Glencoe Road · Rating 9.4 / 10

France

Col de Turini vs Route Napoleon

Rally legend or the long fast run to the coast?

Our pick: Col de Turini · Rating 9.1 / 10

France

Col de la Bonette vs Col de l'Iseran

Which is the highest paved road in France, and which is the better drive?

Our pick: Col de la Bonette · Rating 9.7 / 10

Romania

Transfagarasan, DN7C vs Transalpina, DN67C

Romania's two great mountain roads. Which one do the locals prefer?

Our pick: Transalpina, DN67C · Rating 9.6 / 10

United States

Tail of the Dragon, US129 vs Cherohala Skyway

318 corners in 11 miles, or the empty ridge road next door?

Our pick: Cherohala Skyway · Rating 9.3 / 10

United States

Highway 1, Big Sur vs US 101 Oregon Coast

The most famous coast road in America, or the one locals rate higher?

Our pick: Highway 1, Big Sur · Rating 9.5 / 10

United States

Beartooth Highway vs Going to the Sun Road

Montana's two summer legends. Which one first?

Our pick: Beartooth Highway · Rating 9.7 / 10

Norway

Trollstigen vs Atlantic Road

Norway's two most photographed roads sit an hour apart. Which is the drive?

Our pick: Trollstigen · Rating 9.7 / 10

Italy and Spain

Amalfi Coast Road vs Ma-10 Serra de Tramuntana

Two Mediterranean cliff roads. Which one can you actually enjoy?

Our pick: Ma-10 Serra de Tramuntana · Rating 9.5 / 10

Italy

Passo di Gavia vs Passo del Mortirolo

Two brutal Italian climbs within a valley of each other. Which one earns the day?

Our pick: Passo di Gavia · Rating 9.6 / 10

France

Col du Galibier vs Col d'Izoard

The two great Tour de France passes. Which drives better?

Our pick: Col d'Izoard · Rating 9.5 / 10

United Kingdom

Black Mountain Pass vs Evo Triangle, A543

Wales has two roads that television made famous. Which is better today?

Our pick: Black Mountain Pass · Rating 9.4 / 10

Ireland

Ring of Kerry vs Slea Head Drive

Ireland's two headline coastal loops. Which is worth the day?

Our pick: Slea Head Drive · Rating 8.9 / 10

Switzerland

Grimsel Pass vs Susten Pass

Two Swiss passes on the same loop. If you can only do one?

Our pick: Susten Pass · Rating 9.4 / 10

Italy

Passo Giau vs Passo Sella

Dolomite passes, and everyone has a favourite. Which two hours matter most?

Our pick: Passo Giau · Rating 9.6 / 10

New Zealand

Milford Road vs Crown Range Road

New Zealand's South Island. Scenic dead end or the high pass?

Our pick: Milford Road · Rating 9.6 / 10

South Africa

Swartberg Pass vs Chapman's Peak Drive

South Africa's showpiece roads. Gravel drama or the coastal cliff?

Our pick: Swartberg Pass · Rating 9.7 / 10

Canada

Icefields Parkway vs Sea to Sky Highway

Canada's two most driven scenic highways. Which is the trip?

Our pick: Icefields Parkway · Rating 9.5 / 10

United States

Utah Scenic Byway 12 vs Trail Ridge Road

Utah red rock or Colorado altitude?

Our pick: Utah Scenic Byway 12 · Rating 9.6 / 10

Australia

Great Ocean Road vs Great Alpine Road

Australia's coast or Australia's mountains?

Our pick: Great Alpine Road · Rating 9.3 / 10

Japan

Hakone Turnpike vs Irohazaka Winding Road

Japan's two driving pilgrimages. Which one lives up to the hype?

Our pick: Hakone Turnpike · Rating 9.2 / 10