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Painted Desert Road

SASecondary road121.3 km248 segments
4.0Sports
7.0Safety
121.3 kmTotal length
248Segments
1Recorded crashes
247Grey spot segments
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Painted Desert Road is a 121 km unsealed secondary route in South Australia, Australia. It scores 6.7/10 for 4WDs with gently winding corners and rough surface.

7-day forecast

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Vehicle scores
4.0/10
SPTSportsSealed roads, curviness, mountain passes
6.2/10
MOTMotoTight bends, switchbacks, technical roads
4.0/10
EVEVSmooth surface, sealed roads, range-friendly
6.7/10
4WD4WDGravel access, off-road suitability
4.0/10
VANCaravanSmooth sealed, gentle grades, no steep passes
Segment quality distribution
Sports score - 248 segments
Fair (4-6)100%

Sports score IQR: 4.0 - 4.0

Surface
Surface coverage
Unsealed100%
Score breakdown
Median component scores across all segments
Surface
3.0
Median surface quality. Smooth sealed asphalt scores 10. Chipseal 8. Gravel 5.
Curviness
5.6
Median curviness. Higher scores mean more bends per kilometre.
Speed
10.0
Speed limit suitability. Sweet spot is 60-110 km/h.
Road classSecondary road
8.0
Road classification. Motorways score zero. Tertiary roads score 9.
Traffic
7.0
Estimated traffic density. Lower traffic = higher score.
Elevation
4.0
Elevation change per kilometre. More climbing = higher score.
Crash history
Aggregated across all 248 segments· 10 years of data
1
Total crashes
0
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
247
Grey spots

Source: State crash data linked to road geometry. Grey spots are segments where curvature geometry mismatches the posted speed limit.

When is this road risky?
Crash conditions - share of recorded crashes by circumstance

Wet road crashes

Crashes that occurred in wet conditions

0%

Night crashes

Crashes that occurred after dark

0%

Based on 10 years of crash records linked to road geometry. Crash breakdown (night, wet, weekends): VIC data 2012-2024. Other states show aggregate counts only.

Road environment
Geometry and climate-derived risk indicators
7.0/10 safety score - higher is safer
Wet road exposure59%
Night driving risk49%
Wind exposure46%
Sun glare risk78%
Wildlife strike risk11%

Risk values derived from road geometry, orientation, weather station data, and satellite canopy cover. 0 = minimal risk, 1 = maximum risk.

Segments
Top 351 segments by sports score
IDSurfaceLengthSportsMotoEV
#104517469Unpaved0.50 km4.04.84.0#104517590Unpaved0.50 km4.04.74.0#104517591Unpaved0.50 km4.05.54.0#104517592Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517593Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517594Unpaved0.50 km4.06.44.0#104517595Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517596Unpaved0.50 km4.05.84.0#104517597Unpaved0.50 km4.05.04.0#104517598Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517599Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517601Unpaved0.50 km4.06.34.0#104517602Unpaved0.50 km4.04.74.0#104517603Unpaved0.50 km4.06.44.0#104517604Unpaved0.50 km4.04.64.0#104517605Unpaved0.50 km4.04.64.0#104517606Unpaved0.50 km4.04.64.0#104517607Unpaved0.50 km4.05.14.0#104517609Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517610Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517611Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517612Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517613Unpaved0.50 km4.05.44.0#104517614Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517615Unpaved0.50 km4.05.34.0#104517616Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517617Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517618Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517619Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517620Unpaved0.39 km4.06.14.0#104517621Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517622Unpaved0.50 km4.05.04.0#104517623Unpaved0.50 km4.05.74.0#104517624Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517625Unpaved0.50 km4.04.94.0#104517626Unpaved0.50 km4.04.94.0#104517627Unpaved0.50 km4.05.04.0#104517628Unpaved0.50 km4.05.04.0#104517629Unpaved0.50 km4.06.44.0#104517630Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517633Unpaved0.50 km4.04.84.0#104517634Unpaved0.50 km4.04.94.0#104517636Unpaved0.50 km4.04.94.0#104517637Unpaved0.50 km4.05.74.0#104517638Unpaved0.50 km4.05.84.0#104517639Unpaved0.50 km4.05.14.0#104517641Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517642Unpaved0.50 km4.05.34.0#104517643Unpaved0.50 km4.06.24.0#104517644Unpaved0.50 km4.06.24.0#104517645Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517646Unpaved0.50 km4.05.94.0#104517647Unpaved0.50 km4.05.24.0#104517648Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517649Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517651Unpaved0.50 km4.04.94.0#104517653Unpaved0.50 km4.04.94.0#104517654Unpaved0.09 km4.05.04.0#104517655Unpaved0.50 km4.05.04.0#104517656Unpaved0.40 km4.06.54.0#104517657Unpaved0.50 km4.06.04.0#104517660Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517661Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517662Unpaved0.50 km4.06.24.0#104517663Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517664Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517665Unpaved0.50 km4.06.14.0#104517666Unpaved0.50 km4.06.34.0#104517667Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517669Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517670Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517671Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517673Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517674Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517675Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517677Unpaved0.50 km4.06.04.0#104517678Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517679Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517680Unpaved0.50 km4.05.94.0#104517682Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517683Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517684Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517685Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517686Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517687Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517688Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517689Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517690Unpaved0.50 km4.06.34.0#104517691Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517692Unpaved0.50 km4.06.04.0#104517693Unpaved0.27 km4.06.54.0#104853051Unpaved0.50 km4.06.24.0#104853061Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517575Unpaved0.50 km4.05.94.0#104853063Unpaved0.05 km4.05.04.0#104853059Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517550Unpaved0.50 km4.05.94.0#104517635Unpaved0.50 km4.04.84.0#104517652Unpaved0.50 km4.05.04.0#104517471Unpaved0.17 km4.06.14.0#104517553Unpaved0.50 km4.05.94.0#104517566Unpaved0.50 km4.05.84.0#104517658Unpaved0.04 km4.05.04.0#104517563Unpaved0.50 km4.04.54.0#104517455Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517477Unpaved0.50 km4.05.14.0#104517483Unpaved0.50 km4.06.44.0#104517486Unpaved0.50 km4.05.24.0#104517505Unpaved0.50 km4.05.04.0#104517508Unpaved0.50 km4.04.74.0#104517512Unpaved0.50 km4.04.34.0#104517513Unpaved0.50 km4.05.84.0#104517516Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517522Unpaved0.50 km4.06.44.0#104517529Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517535Unpaved0.19 km4.05.54.0#104517539Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517559Unpaved0.50 km4.06.04.0#104517570Unpaved0.50 km4.05.24.0#104517571Unpaved0.50 km4.04.84.0#104517573Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517576Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517577Unpaved0.50 km4.05.44.0#104517600Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517608Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517631Unpaved0.50 km4.05.64.0#104517632Unpaved0.50 km4.04.84.0#104517640Unpaved0.50 km4.05.94.0#104517650Unpaved0.50 km4.06.44.0#104517659Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517668Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517672Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517676Unpaved0.50 km4.06.14.0#104517681Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104853048Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104853052Unpaved0.50 km4.06.24.0#104853054Unpaved0.50 km4.06.24.0#104853056Unpaved0.50 km4.05.54.0#104853058Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517456Unpaved0.50 km4.04.84.0#104517457Unpaved0.50 km4.05.54.0#104517458Unpaved0.50 km4.05.14.0#104517459Unpaved0.50 km4.04.84.0#104517460Unpaved0.50 km4.04.84.0#104517461Unpaved0.50 km4.05.44.0#104517462Unpaved0.50 km4.04.84.0#104517463Unpaved0.50 km4.06.04.0#104517464Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517465Unpaved0.50 km4.05.74.0#104517466Unpaved0.50 km4.04.84.0#104517467Unpaved0.50 km4.04.84.0#104517468Unpaved0.50 km4.04.84.0#104517470Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517472Unpaved0.50 km4.05.94.0#104517473Unpaved0.50 km4.05.44.0#104517474Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517475Unpaved0.50 km4.05.34.0#104517476Unpaved0.50 km4.04.54.0#104517478Unpaved0.50 km4.05.44.0#104517479Unpaved0.50 km4.04.74.0#104517480Unpaved0.50 km4.04.44.0#104517481Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517482Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517484Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517485Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517487Unpaved0.50 km4.05.14.0#104517488Unpaved0.50 km4.05.24.0#104517489Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517490Unpaved0.50 km4.04.64.0#104517491Unpaved0.50 km4.05.04.0#104517492Unpaved0.50 km4.05.84.0#104517493Unpaved0.50 km4.06.24.0#104517494Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517495Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517496Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517497Unpaved0.50 km4.05.34.0#104517498Unpaved0.50 km4.04.64.0#104517499Unpaved0.50 km4.05.14.0#104517500Unpaved0.50 km4.04.74.0#104517501Unpaved0.50 km4.04.44.0#104517502Unpaved0.50 km4.04.44.0#104517503Unpaved0.50 km4.04.44.0#104517504Unpaved0.50 km4.05.74.0#104517506Unpaved0.50 km4.04.44.0#104517507Unpaved0.50 km4.05.04.0#104517509Unpaved0.50 km4.05.84.0#104517510Unpaved0.50 km4.04.34.0#104517511Unpaved0.50 km4.06.04.0#104517514Unpaved0.50 km4.05.44.0#104517515Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517517Unpaved0.50 km4.05.64.0#104517518Unpaved0.50 km4.06.24.0#104517519Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517520Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517521Unpaved0.50 km4.05.74.0#104517523Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517524Unpaved0.50 km4.04.94.0#104517525Unpaved0.50 km4.05.54.0#104517526Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517527Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517528Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517530Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517531Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517532Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517533Unpaved0.50 km4.06.24.0#104517534Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517536Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517537Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517538Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517540Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517541Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517542Unpaved0.50 km4.06.34.0#104517543Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517544Unpaved0.50 km4.05.54.0#104517545Unpaved0.50 km4.06.34.0#104517546Unpaved0.50 km4.06.34.0#104517547Unpaved0.50 km4.05.84.0#104517548Unpaved0.50 km4.05.34.0#104517549Unpaved0.50 km4.05.54.0#104517551Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517552Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517554Unpaved0.21 km4.04.54.0#104517555Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517556Unpaved0.50 km4.05.44.0#104517557Unpaved0.50 km4.06.24.0#104517558Unpaved0.50 km4.04.54.0#104517560Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517561Unpaved0.50 km4.04.94.0#104517562Unpaved0.50 km4.04.34.0#104517564Unpaved0.50 km4.04.54.0#104517565Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517567Unpaved0.50 km4.06.24.0#104517568Unpaved0.50 km4.04.34.0#104517569Unpaved0.50 km4.04.34.0#104517572Unpaved0.50 km4.05.34.0#104517574Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517578Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517579Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517580Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517581Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517582Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517583Unpaved0.50 km4.05.84.0#104517584Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517585Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517586Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517587Unpaved0.50 km4.06.04.0#104517588Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104517589Unpaved0.50 km4.06.54.0#104395590Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395616Unpaved0.50 km2.45.24.0#104395618Unpaved0.50 km2.45.44.0#104395620Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395625Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395627Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395629Unpaved0.50 km2.45.24.0#104395633Unpaved0.50 km2.45.54.0#104395637Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395639Unpaved0.50 km2.44.54.0#104395644Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395645Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395649Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395655Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395656Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395661Unpaved0.50 km2.45.74.0#104395663Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395673Unpaved0.50 km2.44.84.0#104395675Unpaved0.50 km2.45.24.0#104395682Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395684Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395685Unpaved0.50 km2.45.54.0#104395687Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395696Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395700Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395702Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395706Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395709Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395711Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395716Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395725Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395727Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395739Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395744Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395749Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395753Unpaved0.50 km2.45.74.0#104395755Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395610Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395612Unpaved0.50 km2.45.64.0#104395614Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395622Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395623Unpaved0.50 km2.44.54.0#104395630Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395641Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395642Unpaved0.50 km2.44.34.0#104395647Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395651Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395653Unpaved0.50 km2.45.54.0#104395658Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395660Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395664Unpaved0.50 km2.44.54.0#104395666Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395667Unpaved0.50 km2.45.64.0#104395669Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395671Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395677Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395678Unpaved0.50 km2.44.94.0#104395680Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395689Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395691Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395693Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395694Unpaved0.50 km2.45.54.0#104395704Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395707Unpaved0.50 km2.44.54.0#104395712Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395714Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395718Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395720Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395722Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395723Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395728Unpaved0.50 km2.45.54.0#104395730Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395732Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395734Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395735Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395737Unpaved0.50 km2.44.84.0#104395741Unpaved0.50 km2.45.24.0#104395742Unpaved0.50 km2.45.34.0#104395635Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395699Unpaved0.50 km2.45.24.0#104395751Unpaved0.50 km2.44.94.0#104395752Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395746Unpaved0.50 km2.45.04.0#104395757Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395759Unpaved0.50 km2.44.84.0#104395407Unpaved0.50 km2.45.74.0#104395760Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395762Unpaved0.50 km2.44.64.0#104395632Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395764Unpaved0.50 km2.45.54.0#104395747Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395766Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395768Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395605Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395770Unpaved0.50 km2.46.04.0#104395772Unpaved0.13 km2.44.44.0#104395595Unpaved0.50 km2.45.24.0#104395597Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395599Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395601Unpaved0.50 km2.44.04.0#104395603Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0#104395606Unpaved0.50 km2.45.24.0#104395608Unpaved0.50 km2.43.84.0
API reference
Road aggregate data via the Contour API
GET/api/v1/roads/painted-desert-road-saRoad aggregate - scores, stats, risk profile, activity, segment list
GET/api/v1/roads/search?q=Painted%20Desert%20Road&state=SASearch roads by name

Councils & Government

This road is part of SA's road network. Contour scores every road in Australia for surface condition, curviness, grey spot classification, and 4WD track passability. If your organisation manages this road or promotes tourism in the region, this data is available via API.

Enquire about council data access →
Frequently asked questions
How long is Painted Desert Road?+

Painted Desert Road is approximately 121 km long. At typical touring speeds, expect around 2 hours of driving end to end, excluding stops.

Is Painted Desert Road sealed?+

No. Painted Desert Road is unsealed for its entire scored length. A vehicle suited to gravel or dirt is recommended.

Is Painted Desert Road good for motorcycles?+

It rates well. Painted Desert Road scores 6.2/10 for motorcycles, with enough character to be worth the trip for most riders.

Can I drive Painted Desert Road in a caravan?+

With care. Painted Desert Road scores 4.0/10 for caravans. Some sections may be tight or rough for a heavy tow.

Is Painted Desert Road suitable for a 4WD?+

Yes. Painted Desert Road scores 6.7/10 for 4WDs, with the right mix of surface and terrain character to be worth the trip.

Are there any dangerous sections on Painted Desert Road?+

Contour has identified 247 grey spots on Painted Desert Road - sections where the road geometry does not match the posted speed limit. Take extra care in wet or low-visibility conditions.

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Road data last updated: 24 April 2026. Scores are based on road geometry, surface, and traffic data. Always drive to conditions and follow local road rules.

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