What are the most spectacular roads in Mexico?

Located in North America, Mexico is a country with a wide collection of stunning drives. It’s home to about 150 roads listed as the most spectacular in the world.

With very diverse geography, comprising high mountains such as the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental, and stunning beaches providing scenic coastal drives, when traveling to Mexico don’t forget to add to your list the infamous Espinazo del Diablo, a thrilling and challenging Mexican mountain road. This road is renowned internationally for its hairpin turns. Another notable road is Carretera Federal 1, which is full of blind corners with no barriers or hard shoulders. Spanning the length of the Baja California Peninsula, it is often called the Carretera Transpeninsular or Transpeninsular Highway.

If you prefer mountain roads, try the road to Cortes Pass, a mountain pass at an elevation of 3,692m (12,112ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in Mexico. If you like unpaved roads, try the drive to Sierra Negra volcano, an extinct volcano at 4,576m (15,013ft) in the state of Puebla.

Espinazo del Diablo is a famous mountain road in Mexico, situated between Mazatlan on the west coast of mainland Mexico and Durango. This road is renowned locally and internationally for its hairpin turns and zigzagging bends. The road is predominantly situated over 2,000 meters above sea level.

We should start this article off with a disclaimer, and so we will. Nobody should deliberately go looking for the world’s most dangerous roads with the intention of driving down them.

Carretera Federal 1 is a very dangerous highway in Mexico that spans the length of the Baja California Peninsula. The road is often called the Carretera Transpeninsular or Transpeninsular Highway.

Carretera Mil Cumbres (One Thousand Hills Road in Spanish) is a very scenic drive located in the Michoacán state, in Mexico.

La Rumorosa is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.232m (4,042ft) above sea level, located in Baja California, Mexico.

Mexico 40D is an amazing journey in the western Sierra Madre of Mexico. Also known as the Autopista Durango-Mazatlán, it’s one of Mexico’s greatest engineering feats, with 115 bridges and 61 tunnels.

Located in the Municipio of Zinacantepec, in the State of Mexico, Raíces is the highest town in the country, at an elevation of 3,531m (11,919ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest towns accessible by car on Earth.

Located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, Punta Allen is the largest village at the end of the Boca Paila Peninsula. It’s one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world. No cars, no smog, no noise at all. Lots of birds and animals around.

Paso de Cortés is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.692m (12,112ft) above sea level located on the boundary between Puebla and the State of Mexico, in Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Sierra Negra is an extinct volcano, standing at an elevation of 4,576m (15,013ft) above sea level, located in the Mexican state of Puebla. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Located in the southern portion of North America, Mexico is a land of extraordinary topographical contrast and immense scale. Defined by vast geographical barriers, the country boasts a massive coastline but is dominated inland by two colossal mountain systems: the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Sierra Madre Occidental. Crucially, the central heart of Mexico is pierced by the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (Eje Volcánico Transversal), a chain of soaring, snow-capped volcanoes and high plateaus.

Set high in the Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park, in the State of Mexico, La Joya is a high mountain hut at an elevation of 3,977m (13,047ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Altzomoni is a volcanic peak at an elevation of 4.027m (13,211ft) above sea level, located in the State of Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Mexico City-Queretaro (Mexico 57D) is said to be the busiest highway in Mexico, carrying most of the commercial traffic from the north of the country and the US directly into Mexico City.

Michoacán Coastal Road is a very scenic coastal drive along the Pacific Ocean in the Mexican state of Michoacán.

Ojuela is a small mining ghost town located northeast of the state of Durango, in Mexico. The tortuous road to the town should not be attempted by those who don't know how to reverse.

Batopilas de Manuel Gómez Morín is a small town at an elevation of 501m (1,643ft) above sea level located in the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

Nevado de Toluca is a towering, inactive stratovolcano located in Estado de México. A road near the summit tops out at 4.254m (13,956ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Located in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí, Cuesta de los Arrepentidos (Repentant’s Slope) ranks among the scariest roads on Earth.

Mexican Federal Highway 131 is a very scenic yet defiant road located in the Mexican state of Zacatecas.

San Cristóbal de la Barranca is a small town located in the Mexican state of Jalisco. The road to the town is very scenic.

Mexico 175 (Puchutla Road) is a long, curvy and scenic drive. If you suffer of dizziness, this road is not recommended to you. Over 6 hours of constant movement with curves everywhere, small towns with speed bumps and scenic views of the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Cerro el Potosí is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.721m (12,208ft) above sea level, located in Nuevo León state, in Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Ruta Tepehuana (Camino a Huzamota) is located in Durango, Mexico. This road is known for being windy, narrow, and potentially hazardous, offering views of the Sierra Madre mountains and canyons. Elevations range from 2,700 meters above sea level to the canyon's bottom at 500-0 meters.

Cumbres de Maltrata is part of the México 150D, the main highway linking Mexico City to the Gulf. It’s said to be the most dangerous highway in Mexico (with 4 accidents per day), according to CAPUFE.

Queretaro-León (Mexico 45) is a busy highway located in Mexico which gets almost all traffic from northwest and north of Mexico and the US (except northeast Mexico).

Nevado de Colima is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.991m (13,093ft) above sea level located in the Mexican state of Jalisco. The road to the summit is horrendous with sections up to 12%. 4x4 is the only option. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Autopista Mexico 40D and Mexico 40 were considered Mexico deadliest highways, until the new toll route opened to traffic in 2009. The original “libre” route had sharp curves and long steep grades, until it was improved around 2000’s. Currently “libre” highway is still dangerous, but the dead list was reduced due the traffic changes after the opening of the toll route.

Cerro de la Cúpula is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,806m (9,206ft) above sea level, located in the Mexican state of Baja California.

Baja California Scenic Highway (Mexican Federal Highway 1D) is a very scenic toll road located in the northwestern Mexican state of Baja California.

Xichú is a Mexican city located in the Northeast region of the state of Guanajuato. The road to the city is called Bajada a Xichú. It’s a scenic road with spectacular views of Sierra Madre Oriental mountains and canyons.

Barranca de Beltrán roads (both Mexico 54D and Mexico 54, autopista Guadalajara-Manzanillo) link Guadalajara to the Pacific Ocean, mainly the cities like Colima and the resort city of Manzanillo.

Urique is a small town located at the bottom of Urique Canyon, in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. The road to the town is extremely steep, unsurfaced, and rugged. It will test both vehicle and driver.

Cuesta del Cajón is a demanding mountain passage carved into the Sierra Madre Occidental in Chihuahua, Mexico. Known for its dense pine forests and deep rocky canyons, this section of State Route 11 is much more than a scenic drive; it is a technical challenge that tests a vehicle's braking system and a driver's precision. The route serves as a vital but treacherous link through the rugged terrain, where the natural beauty of the landscape is matched only by the concentration required to stay on the road.

Road facts: Cuesta del Cajón
Location Chihuahua, Mexico (Route 11)
Length 42.9 km (26.6 miles)
Hairpin Turns 20 tight switchbacks
Hazard Level Moderate-High (Steep grades & rockfall)

How long is the road to Cuesta del Cajón?

This segment of Chihuahua State Route 11 stretches for 42.9 kilometers (26.6 miles), connecting the settlements of Babícora and El Largo in a south-north direction. Do not be fooled by the distance; this is not a route to be rushed. The layout consists of a relentless series of steep climbs and descents through the heart of the mountain range. The road hugs the edges of rocky canyons, forcing drivers to maintain a low and steady speed to ensure safety.

Travel logistics require careful planning, as service stations and fuel stops are non-existent once you enter the thicker parts of the forest. It is essential to inspect your braking system before departure, as the sustained gradients put immense pressure on the vehicle. On the steep descents toward the canyon floors, using engine braking is mandatory to prevent brake fading or overheating the pads.

Is it difficult driving through Cuesta del Cajón Road?

Driving in this sector is both technical and demanding. The critical points are the 20 hairpin turns that must be navigated with absolute precision. Many of these switchbacks are so tight that long vehicles or trucks may struggle to clear them, especially if there is oncoming traffic. The pavement condition is variable; erosion and the pressure of pine roots often heave the surface, creating sudden potholes in blind spots.

One of the most persistent dangers is the encroaching vegetation. Pine trees and thick brush grow aggressively along the shoulders, and without recent maintenance, they can scratch vehicle bodywork or severely limit visibility on sharp corners. Furthermore, in the canyon sections, small rockfalls and gravel are common, making the pavement treacherous and slippery even in dry conditions. If you are driving a 4x4, the extra traction will be a significant advantage when pulling out of the steepest corners.

What are the main hazards on Cuesta del Cajón Road?

Beyond the twisting path, real hazards include steep drops without solid guardrails and the constant presence of local livestock or wildlife. If you plan to detour toward Cascada el Salto or the archaeological site of Cuarenta Casas, be aware that secondary access roads are often unpaved tracks where a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is practically indispensable. In these sections, utilizing the low-range gears (reductora) will help you negotiate steep ramps without compromising control.

How is the weather affecting Cuesta del Cajón Road?

The climate in the Chihuahua highlands is extreme and unpredictable. During winter, the area is prone to severe frosts and snowfalls that can close the road for hours or even days. Black ice on the asphalt, particularly in shaded sections that never see direct sunlight, turns Cuesta del Cajón into a dangerous skating rink. During the summer rainy season, the primary risk shifts to landslides and mudflows that can completely block lanes with debris from the slopes above.
Road suggested by: Eblem Torres
Pic: Manuel L.Hernandez

 

 

 

Refugio Piedra Grande is a high mountain hut at an elevation of 4,255m (13,959ft) above sea level, located in Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Autopista Mexico-Tuxpan (Mexico 132D) is another great engineering achievement. This highway was under construction for over 30 years due to scandals of corruption, insufficient funds, and the challenges posed by the rugged mountains of the Sierra Madre Oriental.

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