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.
- 01
Deviation Road
SATertiary4 km5.5 km away13 grey spots9.4RQS - 02
Clarendon Road
SASecondary3 km24.4 km away8 grey spots9.5RQS - 03
Hunters Road
SATertiary1 km7.4 km away5 grey spots9.3RQS - 04
Quarry Road
SAUnclassified1 km6.9 km away3 grey spots9.4RQS - 05
Torrens Hill Road
SASecondary1 km14.3 km away3 grey spots9.3RQS - 06
Greenhills Road
SASecondary5 km22.2 km away12 grey spots9.2RQS - 07
Bird In Hand Road
SASecondary3 km6.4 km away7 grey spots9.2RQS - 08
Old Willunga Hill Road
SASecondary3 km42.4 km away9 grey spots9.1RQS - 09
Basket Range Road
SATertiary3 km7.6 km away9 grey spots9.1RQS - 10
Fernhurst Road
SAUnclassified2 km9.2 km away4 grey spots9.1RQS - 11
Nettle Hill Road
SASecondary5 km58.6 km away12 grey spots7.9RQS - 12
Stony Rise Road
SATertiary1 km10 km away3 grey spots9.1RQS - 13
Woods Hill Road
SATertiary4 km10.6 km away16 grey spots9.1RQS - 14
Pambula Road
SASecondary5 km56 km away11 grey spots9.0RQS - 15
Collins Hill Road
SAUnclassified2 km4.7 km away5 grey spots9.0RQS - 16
Worden Road
SAUnclassified1 km7.4 km away2 grey spots9.0RQS - 17
Mengler Hill Road
SATertiary7 km50.8 km away16 grey spots8.9RQS - 18
Tippett Road
SAPrimary2 km15.8 km away8 grey spots9.0RQS - 19
Jolly Way
SASecondary9 km119.5 km away22 grey spots9.0RQS - 20
Bird In Hand Road
SASecondary3 km6.4 km away6 grey spots8.8RQS
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 Deviation Road (SA, RQS 9.4/10, 5.5 km away); Clarendon Road (SA, RQS 9.5/10, 24.4 km away); Hunters Road (SA, RQS 9.3/10, 7.4 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 Deviation Road, about 5.5 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?+
Deviation Road is fully sealed and scores 9.4/10 for driving quality. It's 5.5 km from Adelaide.
Are there any dangerous sections on roads near Adelaide?+
Contour has identified grey spots on 20 roads within range of Adelaide - sections where the posted speed limit does not match the road geometry. Deviation Road has 13. 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.