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Best driving roads near Adelaide, SA

Adelaide has Australia's tightest cluster of capital-city driving roads. The Adelaide Hills sit directly east of the CBD and are threaded with scored roads inside thirty minutes' drive.

Roads scored
20
Median RQS
9.1/10
Total kilometres
65 km
ProfileAllSportsMotorcycleEV4WDCaravan
SurfaceAll surfacesSealedMixedUnsealed
Min scoreAny score6+7+8+
  1. 01

    Clarendon Road

    SASecondary3 km24.4 km away
    9.5
    RQS
  2. 02

    Deviation Road

    SATertiary4 km5.5 km away42 grey spots
    9.4
    RQS
  3. 03

    Quarry Road

    SAUnclassified1 km6.9 km away175 grey spots
    9.4
    RQS
  4. 04

    Hunters Road

    SATertiary1 km7.4 km away14 grey spots
    9.3
    RQS
  5. 05

    Torrens Hill Road

    SASecondary1 km14.3 km away1 grey spot
    9.3
    RQS
  6. 06

    Bird In Hand Road

    SASecondary3 km6.4 km away6 grey spots
    9.2
    RQS
  7. 07

    Greenhills Road

    SASecondary5 km22.2 km away48 grey spots
    9.2
    RQS
  8. 08

    Basket Range Road

    SATertiary3 km7.6 km away6 grey spots
    9.1
    RQS
  9. 09

    Old Willunga Hill Road

    SASecondary3 km42.4 km away2 grey spots
    9.1
    RQS
  10. 10

    Woods Hill Road

    SATertiary4 km10.6 km away8 grey spots
    9.1
    RQS
  11. 11

    Fernhurst Road

    SAUnclassified2 km9.2 km away2 grey spots
    9.1
    RQS
  12. 12

    Stony Rise Road

    SATertiary1 km10 km away1 grey spot
    9.1
    RQS
  13. 13

    Pambula Road

    SASecondary5 km56 km away10 grey spots
    9.0
    RQS
  14. 14

    Collins Hill Road

    SAUnclassified2 km4.7 km away4 grey spots
    9.0
    RQS
  15. 15

    Jolly Way

    SASecondary9 km119.5 km away16 grey spots
    9.0
    RQS
  16. 16

    Tippett Road

    SAPrimary2 km15.8 km away1 grey spot
    9.0
    RQS
  17. 17

    Worden Road

    SAUnclassified1 km7.4 km away33 grey spots
    9.0
    RQS
  18. 18

    Mengler Hill Road

    SATertiary7 km50.8 km away8 grey spots
    8.9
    RQS
  19. 19

    Marble Hill Road

    SASecondary5 km9.6 km away21 grey spots
    8.9
    RQS
  20. 20

    Bird In Hand Road

    SASecondary3 km6.4 km away6 grey spots
    8.8
    RQS

Gorge Road, Greenhill Road and the Crafers climb are the classic Adelaide Hills approaches. Further south, the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Peninsula roads link vineyard country to coastal cliffs. The Barossa and the lower Flinders Ranges extend the range to two hours and up.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best driving roads near Adelaide?+

Contour's top three scored roads near Adelaide are Clarendon Road (SA, RQS 9.5/10, 24.4 km away); Deviation Road (SA, RQS 9.4/10, 5.5 km away); Quarry Road (SA, RQS 9.4/10, 6.9 km away). All are within a two-hour touring drive of the city.

How far should I drive from Adelaide to find a great road?+

The nearest excellent-rated road (RQS 8+) is Clarendon Road, about 24.4 km from Adelaide. Plenty of good options sit closer if you don't want the full drive.

Are there good motorcycle roads near Adelaide?+

Yes. Clarendon Road scores 9.5/10 for motorcycles and sits 24.4 km from Adelaide. Several other strong rides sit within the same radius.

What's the best sealed road near Adelaide?+

Clarendon Road is fully sealed and scores 9.5/10 for driving quality. It's 24.4 km from Adelaide.

Are there any dangerous sections on roads near Adelaide?+

Contour has identified grey spots on 19 roads within range of Adelaide - sections where the posted speed limit does not match the road geometry. Deviation Road has 42. Take extra care in wet conditions.

When is the best time to drive near Adelaide?+

Wet pine-forest sections need care after rain; the Hills and Barossa are excellent year-round.

Scores are based on road geometry, surface quality, traffic density, and crash history. Always drive to conditions and follow local road rules.