Routes

State guide

The best driving roads in North Carolina

7 hand-picked driving roads in North Carolina, every one mapped from real geometry and fact-checked, including 2 world icons.

Roads72 world icons
Combined143 mi230 km of driving
High point1,952 m6,404 ft
Satellite map of The Diamondback The Diamondback12 mi · 28 min · 1,082 m summitView the roadbook ›
Satellite map of Blue Ridge Parkway Linn Cove, USA – East

Blue Ridge Parkway Linn Cove

USA – East

8 mi · 16 min · 1,396 m summit
Satellite map of Tail of the Dragon, USA – East

Tail of the Dragon

US 129USA – East

13 mi · 32 min · 623 m summit
Satellite map of Moonshiner 28, USA – East

Moonshiner 28

NC 28USA – East

73 mi · 2 h 34 min · 1,172 m summit
Satellite map of Balsam Grove, USA – East

Balsam Grove

NC 215USA – East

17 mi · 37 min · 1,634 m summit
Satellite map of Mount Mitchell Summit Road, USA – East

Mount Mitchell Summit Road

NC 128USA – East

2 mi · 3 min · 1,952 m summit
Satellite map of Devil's Whip, USA – East

Devil's Whip

NC 80USA – East

18 mi · 43 min · 1,037 m summit

More states

All 81 US roads ›

Driving in North Carolina: common questions

What is the best driving road in North Carolina?
The Diamondback is the place to start. Twelve miles of relentless switchbacks dropping off the ridge at Little Switzerland.
How many great driving roads does North Carolina have?
7 hand-picked and fact-checked roads, 143 miles of driving in all, every one mapped from real road geometry.
What is the highest road in North Carolina?
Mount Mitchell Summit Road is the highest, climbing to about 1,952 m (6,404 ft).