State guide

The best driving roads in California

12 hand-picked driving roads in California, every one mapped from real geometry and fact-checked, including 3 world icons.

Roads123 world icons

Combined361 mi581 km of driving

High point3,036 m9,961 ft

Mount Hamilton Road19 mi · 42 min · 7 hairpinsView the roadbook ›

Angeles Crest Highway

CA 2SR 2USA – West

57 mi · 1 h 53 min · 2,415 m summit

Pacific Coast Highway, Big Sur

CA 1SR 1USA – West

23 mi · 47 min · 42 corners

Tioga Pass

CA 120SR 120USA – West

58 mi · 1 h 57 min · 3,036 m summit

Whitney Portal Road

USA – West

12 mi · 25 min · 2,563 m summit

Rim of the World Highway

CA 18USA – West

31 mi · 1 h 1 min · 2,228 m summit

Lassen Park Highway

CA 89USA – West

19 mi · 38 min · 2,604 m summit

Ebbetts Pass

CA 4SR 4USA – West

21 mi · 45 min · 2,682 m summit

Glacier Point Road

USA – West

16 mi · 30 min · 2,389 m summit

Avenue of the Giants

CA 254USA – West

30 mi · 58 min · 90 corners

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

CA 180USA – West

27 mi · 59 min · 2,119 m summit

Sonora Pass

CA 108SR 108USA – West

49 mi · 1 h 48 min · 2,916 m summit

More states

All 81 US roads ›

Driving in California: common questions

What is the best driving road in California?

Mount Hamilton Road is the place to start. Endless switchbacks from San Jose up to Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton

How many great driving roads does California have?

12 hand-picked and fact-checked roads, 361 miles of driving in all, every one mapped from real road geometry.

What is the highest road in California?

Tioga Pass is the highest, climbing to about 3,036 m (9,961 ft).