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Shanks Road

SAResidential road0.8 km3 segments
6.7Sports
0.8 kmTotal length
3Segments
1Recorded crashes
5Grey spot segments

Shanks Road is a 1 km unsealed residential street in South Australia, Australia. It scores 7.7/10 for 4WDs with highly technical corners and rough surface. It also rates well for motorcycles.

7-day forecast

Vehicle scores
6.7/10
SPTSportsSealed roads, curviness, mountain passes
7.0/10
MOTMotoTight bends, switchbacks, technical roads
6.6/10
EVEVSmooth surface, sealed roads, range-friendly
7.7/10
4WD4WDGravel access, off-road suitability
3.0/10
VANCaravanSmooth sealed, gentle grades, no steep passes
Segment quality distribution
Sports score - 3 segments
Good (6-8)67%Fair (4-6)33%

Sports score IQR: 5.6 - 6.7

Surface
Surface coverage
Unsealed100%
Score breakdown
Median component scores across all segments
Surface
3.5
Median surface quality. Smooth sealed asphalt scores 10. Chipseal 8. Gravel 5.
Curviness
9.9
Median curviness. Higher scores mean more bends per kilometre.
Speed
4.0
Speed limit suitability. Sweet spot is 60-110 km/h.
Road classResidential road
3.0
Road classification. Motorways score zero. Tertiary roads score 9.
Traffic
7.0
Estimated traffic density. Lower traffic = higher score.
Elevation
10.0
Elevation change per kilometre. More climbing = higher score.
Crash history
Aggregated across all 3 segments· 10 years of data
1
Total crashes
0
Fatalities
1
Serious injuries
5
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
6.3/10 safety score - higher is safer
Wet road exposure73%
Night driving risk74%
Wind exposure59%
Sun glare risk56%
Wildlife strike risk11%

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

Segments
API reference
Road aggregate data via the Contour API
GET/api/v1/roads/shanks-road-sa-2Road aggregate - scores, stats, risk profile, activity, segment list
GET/api/v1/roads/search?q=Shanks%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 Shanks Road?+

Shanks Road is approximately 1 km long. At typical touring speeds, expect around 1 hour of driving end to end, excluding stops.

Is Shanks Road sealed?+

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

Is Shanks Road good for motorcycles?+

It rates well. Shanks Road scores 7.0/10 for motorcycles, with enough character to be worth the trip for most riders.

Can I drive Shanks Road in a caravan?+

Not recommended. Shanks Road scores 3.0/10 for caravans due to geometry, surface or gradient. Consider an alternative route if towing.

Is Shanks Road good for an EV?+

Yes. Shanks Road scores 6.6/10 for EVs. Regenerative braking on any elevation changes and smooth throttle control on the corners will both feel at home here.

Is Shanks Road suitable for a 4WD?+

Yes. Shanks Road scores 7.7/10 for 4WDs, with the right mix of surface and terrain character to be worth the trip.

Are there any dangerous sections on Shanks Road?+

Contour has identified 5 grey spots on Shanks Road - sections where the road geometry does not match the posted speed limit. Take extra care in wet or low-visibility conditions.

Similar roads

Road data last updated: 16 April 2026. Scores are based on road geometry, surface, and traffic data. Always drive to conditions and follow local road rules.