Best driving roads near Atlanta

Less than two hours north of Atlanta, the Blue Ridge Mountains hide some of the Southeast's best switchback driving, where two-lane country roads tangle through the Chattahoochee National Forest.

1. Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway (SR-348)

Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway (SR-348) crossing Hogpen Gap in the North Georgia mountains in October
Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

A winding two-lane mountain road over Hogpen Gap in the Chattahoochee National Forest, one leg of the 40.6-mile Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway loop, with steep grades and blind curves.

Length
about 14 mi as mapped
Drive time
about 25 min
High point
3,480 ft at Hogpen Gap

Best time to go: Open most of the year, but the road usually closes after snow; warmer months bring the most riders and cyclists.

Map of Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway (SR-348) from SR-75 Alternate north of Helen to SR-180 near Choestoe
Route: SR-75 Alternate north of Helen to SR-180 near Choestoe, about 14 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: High point · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

2. Wolf Pen Gap Road (SR-180)

Wolf Pen Gap Road (SR-180) passing through Wolf Pen Gap in the Chattahoochee National Forest in autumn
Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

A 12-mile stretch of narrow two-lane mountain road full of blind turns and steep hills, a North Georgia enthusiast classic.

Length
11.8 mi
Drive time
about 20 min
High point
3,260 ft at Wolfpen Gap

Best time to go: Fall is the standout season; the road is narrow with many blind turns.

Map of Wolf Pen Gap Road (SR-180) from SR-60 in Suches to US-19/129 near Vogel State Park
Route: SR-60 in Suches to US-19/129 near Vogel State Park, about 11.1 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · High point · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

3. The Suches Loop

State Route 60 crossing Woody Gap above Suches, Georgia, in spring
Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

A loop of roughly 42 to 50 miles (sources differ) through the Blue Ridge around Suches, 'the valley above the clouds,' with narrow stretches and blind turns on Route 180.

Length
about 50 mi as mapped
Drive time
about 1 h 35 min
High point
3,260 ft at Wolfpen Gap

Best time to go: Especially beautiful in fall; expect a challenging ride.

Map of the The Suches Loop loop from Dahlonega
Loop from Dahlonega, about 50.2 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: High point · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

4. SR-60 (North Georgia Mountains)

State Route 60 winding through autumn forest near the Chestatee Overlook in Lumpkin County, Georgia
Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

A flowing mountain two-laner through the Chattahoochee National Forest, a go-to for spirited drives around Dahlonega and Suches.

Length
about 15 mi as mapped
Drive time
about 30 min
High point
3,160 ft at Woody Gap

Best time to go: Fall is the standout season.

Map of SR-60 North Georgia mountains from Dahlonega to Suches
Route: Dahlonega to Suches, about 15.4 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: High point · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

5. SR-19/US-19 (Dahlonega to the mountains)

A classic gateway route into the North Georgia high country, linking together the area's best mountain driving roads.

Length
about 37 mi
Drive time
about 1 h 05 min

Best time to go: Fall is the standout season.

Map of SR-19/US-19 Dahlonega to the mountains from Dahlonega to Blairsville
Route: Dahlonega to Blairsville, about 38.2 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

Track your next drive near Atlanta

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Questions, answered

What are the best driving roads near Atlanta?
Top picks near Atlanta: Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway, Wolf Pen Gap Road, The Suches Loop, SR-60, SR-19/US-19. Each one is here for the drive and the scenery.
How long are the best driving roads near Atlanta?
Wolf Pen Gap Road: 11.8 mi. SR-19/US-19: about 37 mi.
Which driving road near Atlanta climbs the highest?
Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway, with a high point of 3,480 ft at Hogpen Gap.
When is the best time to drive these roads?
Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway: Open most of the year, but the road usually closes after snow; warmer months bring the most riders and cyclists. Wolf Pen Gap Road: Fall is the standout season; the road is narrow with many blind turns. The Suches Loop: Especially beautiful in fall; expect a challenging ride. SR-60: Fall is the standout season. SR-19/US-19: Fall is the standout season.
What's the best app to track a drive near Atlanta?
Open Road records your drive and saves it to your drive log with the route on a map, the distance and the time. It is on iPhone and Android.

Famous driving roads