January · Largely closed
Trail Ridge, the Beartooth and Independence Pass are closed. Interstate crossings and ski valley roads stay open.
Verdict
Largely closed
Where to base
Durango, Estes Park or Red Lodge
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 21 May 2026
Context
The highest paved roads in North America, and the shortest driving season on the continent outside Alaska.
Roads
Montana and Wyoming
Swaths of switchbacks climb to 3337 metres past alpine lakes and snowfields.
67.7 mi · Rating 9.7 / 10
Open only from late May to mid October
Montana
A cliff shelf road through Glacier National Park under hanging valleys.
49.7 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10
Logan Pass open roughly late June to mid October, vehicle size limits
Colorado
A mining road cut into the San Juan cliffs with sheer drops and no barrier.
24.9 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10
Snow, avalanche and no guardrails in winter
Colorado
The highest continuous paved road in America, tundra above the treeline the whole way.
47.8 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10
Closed from mid October to late May
Colorado
Narrow shelf tarmac to 3687 metres, tight, exposed and completely absorbing.
31.7 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10
Closed from early November to late May
Colorado
A full loop of the San Juans taking in Coal Bank, Molas and Lizard Head passes.
118.1 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10
Snow closes sections in winter
Wyoming
Switchbacks over Dead Indian Pass into a canyon nobody else seems to know about.
47.2 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10
Closed by snow in winter above Dead Indian Pass
Colorado
156 corners to 4302 metres on the hill climb road every driver knows by name.
19.3 mi · Rating 9.2 / 10
Summit closes in bad weather, brake checks on descent
Colorado
No guardrails, thin air and switchbacks to the highest paved road in North America.
28 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10
Open only from late May to early September
Wyoming
A wall of a climb onto the Bighorn plateau with a descent that tests every brake.
32.3 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10
Closed in winter, ten percent descent with runaway lanes