April · Good
Green hills, waterfalls running and few visitors. Check for active Highway 1 closures before you set out.
Verdict
Good
Where to base
Monterey, Cannon Beach or Seattle
Roads in the Atlas
10
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. Seasonal notes are reviewed against published closure dates and reopened each spring. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 14 May 2026
Context
Cliff roads, redwoods and fog, running from the Cascades to Big Sur. Open all year, but the character changes completely with the season.
Roads
California
The Pacific coast at its most theatrical, cliff curves above the open ocean.
90.1 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10
Landslide closures are frequent, check before setting out
Washington
Glacier peaks, turquoise reservoirs and long clean sweepers with almost no traffic.
70.8 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10
Closed between Ross Dam and Winthrop from November to April
California
Yosemite high country, granite domes and meadows, then a drop to Mono Lake.
62.1 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10
Closed from November to late May or June
California
The steepest Sierra crossing, narrow and demanding with barely a car on it midweek.
47.8 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10
Closed in winter, 26 percent gradients
California
Los Angeles's mountain playground, hours of clean sweepers above the basin.
65.9 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10
Snow closures on the high sections in winter
Oregon
Headlands, sea stacks and empty cliff curves for the whole length of the Oregon shore.
366.6 mi · Rating 9 / 10
Coastal fog and winter storms
Washington
A climb from sea level to an Olympic ridge with the Strait of Juan de Fuca behind you.
18 mi · Rating 9 / 10
Winter access limited to weekends and chains
Oregon
America's first scenic highway, hand built curves past Multnomah Falls and gorge viewpoints.
75.2 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10
Waterfall corridor gets very busy in summer
California
The Santa Monica Mountains run every Los Angeles driver knows, ending at the Pacific.
21.1 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10
Heavily policed at weekends
California
Cypress trees, crashing surf and Pebble Beach, best taken slowly at first light.
16.8 mi · Rating 8.5 / 10
Toll road, no motorbikes permitted