The Roads with The Best Driving Conditions in the World
As experts in car leasing we know that having the right vehicle can completely transform your driving experience. But beyond the car itself, there is another huge factor that influences how much you enjoy your drive - the weather.
Every driver has experienced it: windows down, the road ahead stretching out under a brilliant sky, conditions so good you could stay behind the wheel all day. But which of the world’s most iconic roads reliably delivers the best weather for driving, and what kind of weather is actually ‘the best’ at helping make a drive feel truly perfect?
To find out, we partnered with Jim R N Dale, Senior Meteorologist and founder of British Weather Services, to define the weather conditions that make driving feel at its easiest, and safest. His verdict is simple, visibility comes first; in his word’s visibility is “No.1 in the hierarchy of perfect driving conditions.”
Using Jim’s expertise, we have created a Perfect Driving Weather Score, using a range of factors including humidity, ground temperature, number of clear days, visibility quality and wind speed. We have applied the criteria to popular drives within the UK, as well as some of the world’s most celebrated driving routes. Using historical weather data, we reveal which roads most reliably deliver the ideal climate conditions, both here and abroad. The results might just inspire your next road trip.
Top ten
Roads with the Best Driving Weather in the world
| Rank | Road Name | Country |
Perfect Driving Weather Score (/100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Garden Route | South Africa | 90.6 |
| #2 | Route 66 | USA | 87.3 |
| #3 | Pacific Coast Highway | USA | 86.1 |
| #4 | Amalfi Coast Road | Italy | 81 |
| #5 | Costa Brava Coastal Roads | Spain | 76.3 |
| #6 | Great Ocean Road | Australia | 71.4 |
| #7 | Icefields Parkway | Canada | 69.5 |
| #8 | Loire Valley Drives | France | 67.3 |
| #9 | Kahekili Highway | USA | 57.2 |
| #10 | Norwegian Atlantic Road | Norway | 39.1 |
#1 Garden Route, South Africa (90.6/100)
South Africa’s Garden Route takes the lead when it comes to great driving conditions, scoring 90.6 out of 100 in our index. Between Mossel Bay and Storms River, this 300 km stretch of road consistently delivers what we all dream of when we hit the road; clear skies for most of the year which give drivers the opportunity to take in the views of the Indian Ocean Coast, gentle winds and comfortable temperatures. The Garden Route takes you from ocean, to forest, to mountains and is as close to perfect as driving weather gets.
#2 Route 66, USA (87.3/100)
America’s most iconic road takes the second spot worldwide with a Perfect Driving Weather score of 87.3. Sections through the American Southwest, particularly New Mexico and Arizona, experience dry conditions, reliably low rainfall and strong sunshine for most of the year.
While varying significantly depending on where you find yourself, wind speeds across Route 66 tend to stay within a comfortable threshold that makes for a smoother ride, and temperatures fall within a manageable range for most of the year. Route 66 is famous for its restored 1950s diners, neon signage, retro motels and desert landscapes, and its weather data only further adds to its legendary status as one of the best roads to drive in the world.
#3 Pacific Coast Highway, USA (86.1/100)
California’s Pacific Coast Highway delivers a score of 86.1, offering spectacular coastal scenes behind the wheel, plus reliable weather elements. Along the central and southern sections, rainfall is low and winds are typically calm, making the drive a very pleasant experience for most of the year.
The central California coast in particular benefits from a microclimate that keeps extremes of heat and cold in check, exactly the kind of stable, predictable conditions that score highest in our index. The cliffside ocean views and stunning sunset light make it a pleasure to experience. Be sure to check guidance ahead of time since landslides and closures can happen in parts of Big Sur.
#4 Amalfi Coast Road, Italy (81/100)
Italy’s Amalfi Coast scores 81 out of 100 on our Perfect Driving Weather score, with warm, dry Mediterranean climate delivering excellent conditions for much of the year. Low precipitation, good visibility, comfortable temperatures and manageable humidity all contribute to its strong score. While the coastline’s bends and narrow lanes demand full concentration, and traffic can get intense in peak tourist seasons, the reliable sunshine and clear air go a long way in making this drive feel epic, allowing motorists to revel in the views of the classic Italian villages stacked into hillsides.
#5 Costa Brava’s Coastal Roads, Spain (76.3/100)
A European standout is Costa Brava’s Coastal Roads. Often touted as one of Spain’s most beautiful areas to drive, this collection of spectacular roads is found along the country’s northeastern Mediterranean coast, close to the French border. The roads boast flowing curves and tight cliff-hugging bends, pine forests and elevated views of the turquoise sea. The stunning scenery, coupled with the strong overall on-the-road meteorological conditions (76.3/100), makes the Costa Brava Coastal Roads one of the most compelling destinations for anyone keen to book a European road trip.
Australia’s Great Ocean Road (pictured above) earns its 71.4 score thanks to big views and open stretches, though higher yearly rainfall prevents it from appearing further up the rankings. In the Northern Hemisphere, Canada’s Icefields Parkway ranks seventh globally (69.5/100), a lack of clear skies most of the year might stop you from taking in the stunning albeit chilly mountain drive in its full glory, but still worth the trip if you time it right.
France’s Loire Valley Drives also joins the global top ten with a 67.3 Perfect Driving Weather Score, providing a more relaxed touring-style option, where you can take in castles, vineyards, and countryside villages from the passenger seat.
Jim adds:
It matters not where you are if you are able to view as far as your eyes will allow. Driving on coastal roads and within mountain ranges arguably offer the twin peaks of panoramas. To be able to view landscapes or seascapes that offer variety and engagement, along with natural or manmade highlights, tend to press most of the right buttons.
Top ten
The Roads with the Best Weather Conditions in the UK
| Rank | UK Road Name |
Perfect Driving Weather Score (/100) |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | New Forest Roads | 60.7 |
| #2 | A272 | 60.4 |
| #3 | Cotswolds Roads | 59.5 |
| #4 | Norfolk Coast Roads | 58.5 |
| #5 | A39 Atlantic Highway | 55.1 |
| #6 | Yorkshire Dales Roads (B6255 / B6160) | 54.6 |
| #7 | Peak District Snake Pass (A57) | 54.6 |
| #8 | A487 | 50.3 |
| #9 | Pembrokeshire Coastal Route | 46.5 |
| #10 | Lake District Passes (Honister / Kirkstone) | 45.3 |
While British weather is famously unpredictable and doesn’t quite compete with the likes of the Mediterranean for year-round sunshine, the data reveals some regional British routes that deliver surprisingly consistent pleasant driving conditions.
Roads in the New Forest top the UK rankings with a score of 60.7. With relatively low rainfall compared to upland Britain, and clear skies for much of the year, the weather conditions in the New Forest make it one of the best UK driving areas. And it’s not just the conditions; the fairytale scenery, open heathland, ancient woodland and the iconic New Forest ponies make this a genuinely special drive when the rain stops.
In second place with a score of 60.4 out of 100, the A272 runs through the heart of the South Downs and across the Weald of Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, often delivering meteorological conditions that are as good as one could hope for in the UK; comfortable temperatures, a lack of muggy days, and a generally sheltered position contribute to its respectable score.
With a score of 59.5/100, the rolling roads in the Cotswolds offer some of the most picturesque driving in Britain, and the data confirms its weather conditions are among the country’s most reliable. Low wind speeds, and relatively modest rainfall make driving in the Cotswolds a consistently pleasant treat.
Norfolk’s big open skies and flat roads may not quicken the pulse quite like the epic mountain passes seen in Canada or Europe, but the weather data is extremely promising; low humidity and good visibility contribute to a solid score of 58.5 out of a possible 100.
The A39 Atlantic Highway runs the length of the North Cornwall and Devon coast, making it one of Britain’s most visually stunning driving experiences. It scores 55.1 on the Perfect Driving Weather index, given the Atlantic coast’s higher rainfall, stronger winds and more frequent cloud cover than routes further east and south. But on its clear days, few roads in Britain can match the drama of the A39.
As Jim says:
In the end perfection has to be in the eye of the beholder, but wherever that happens to be for you, just make sure that you take the weather with you
So, whether you’re planning a trip along the Garden Route, a cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway, or a weekend loop through the Cotswolds, the right car turns a good drive into a great one, especially when the weather is on your side.
Methodology
To identify the roads with the best driving meteorological conditions, we used historical weather data from WeatherSpark to source representative conditions on, or near, well-known roads and popular global driving routes. Our shortlist of roads includes famous road trip destinations and popular stretches of road, and prioritised scenic coastal and mountain roads.
We partnered with Senior Meteorologist Jim R N Dale from the British Weather Services to define the ideal weather thresholds and weighting for five key weather factors.
Scores were combined into a Perfect Driving Weather Score out of 100:
- Road Surface Conditions (30/100): roads scored higher when average monthly rainfall was below 30mm (dry = safer roads).
- Visibility and Clear Days (20/100): roads scored higher when there were over 70% clear days annually.
- Wind Speed (20/100): roads scored higher when there was less than 19 kph (12 mph) average wind speed.
- Ground Temperature (15/100): Ground temperature was estimated from air temperature data using standard thermal modelling (ground temperature typically tracks 2 to 5°C warmer than air temp during the day in temperate climates). Roads scored higher when average air temperature fell within ideal 16°C range.
- Humidity Comfort (15/100): Humidity discomfort was assessed using annual 'muggy days' metric, which accounts for dew point rather than raw relative humidity, reflecting that perceived discomfort varies significantly by climate. Roads scored higher when there were less than 5 'muggy' days per year (discomfort threshold).
Scores are based on annual averages, meaning destinations with strong seasonal contrasts may still perform well overall despite periods of less settled weather.
Drivers are advised to always check local travel and safety advice before planning a trip.
Data correct as of February 2026.