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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
77 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 away3 grey spots
    9.4
    RQS
  3. 03

    Knotts Hill Road

    SATertiary2 km8.4 km away1 grey spot
    9.3
    RQS
  4. 04

    Corkscrew Road

    SASecondary3 km12.8 km away
    8.6
    RQS
  5. 05

    Torrens Hill Road

    SASecondary1 km14.3 km away1 grey spot
    9.2
    RQS
  6. 06

    Quarry Road

    SAUnclassified1 km6.9 km away
    9.2
    RQS
  7. 07

    Punt Road

    SASecondary0 km64.6 km away
    9.1
    RQS
  8. 08

    Pound Road

    SATertiary1 km9.3 km away
    9.2
    RQS
  9. 09

    Woods Hill Road

    SATertiary4 km10.6 km away
    9.2
    RQS
  10. 10

    Hunters Road

    SATertiary1 km7.4 km away1 grey spot
    9.2
    RQS
  11. 11

    Norton Summit Road

    SASecondary7 km14 km away1 grey spot
    9.1
    RQS
  12. 12

    Lobethal Road

    SASecondary21 km6.2 km away3 grey spots
    9.1
    RQS
  13. 13

    Fernhurst Road

    SAUnclassified2 km9.2 km away
    8.4
    RQS
  14. 14

    Stony Rise Road

    SATertiary1 km10 km away
    9.1
    RQS
  15. 15

    Tippett Road

    SAPrimary2 km15.8 km away
    9.0
    RQS
  16. 16

    Carey Gully Road

    SASecondary4 km7.1 km away1 grey spot
    8.8
    RQS
  17. 17

    Worden Road

    SAUnclassified1 km7.4 km away
    9.0
    RQS
  18. 18

    Cudlee Creek Road

    SASecondary8 km11.5 km away1 grey spot
    9.0
    RQS
  19. 19

    Nettle Hill Road

    SASecondary5 km58.6 km away3 grey spots
    8.0
    RQS
  20. 20

    Marble Hill Road

    SASecondary5 km9.6 km away
    9.0
    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); Knotts Hill Road (SA, RQS 9.3/10, 8.4 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 9 roads within range of Adelaide - sections where the posted speed limit does not match the road geometry. Deviation Road has 3. 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.