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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11For a true high-elevation road crossing, Trail Ridge Road reaches 12,183 feet; Beartooth Highway crests at 10,970 feet. Other standout drives lead to a mountain summit, cross a seasonal alpine pass, or climb to a scenic lake. This guide covers six routes with official-source details—not ten, because reliable route, access and restriction information is established here for only six. Check managing-agency updates before departure: weather, closures, reservations and vehicle rules can change.
Which scenic mountain drives reach a summit?
“Mountain summit drive” can describe different experiences. Trail Ridge Road and Going-to-the-Sun Road cross high terrain, Beartooth Highway crests a mountain plateau, Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway reaches a summit, and Haleakalā’s road leads into a summit district. Bear Lake Road is a scenic high-country approach that ends at a lake, not a summit crossing.
| Route | High point or destination | Route scale | Road character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trail Ridge Road | 12,183 feet | 48 miles; NPS estimates 1.5–2 hours for a steady-traffic crossing | Summer crossing of Rocky Mountain National Park, with alpine tundra and overlooks |
| Bear Lake Road | Bear Lake at 9,475 feet | 9.2 miles | Scenic climb from about 8,200 feet; a high-country approach, not a summit road |
| Beartooth Highway | 10,970 feet | About 68 miles | High pass and plateau route connecting the Red Lodge area with Cooke City and Yellowstone access |
| Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway | Summit of Mount Blue Sky | Length and drive time not stated by Colorado DOT | Steep, narrow, winding road to a mountain summit |
| Going-to-the-Sun Road | Logan Pass at 6,646 feet | About 50 miles | Seasonal crossing of Glacier National Park’s alpine section |
| Haleakalā Summit District | Summit at 10,023 feet | Approximate drive times depend on starting point | High-elevation road journey into a summit district |
Elevations and descriptions above are route figures reported by the cited agencies; they do not make the driving experiences interchangeable. A summit destination, a pass crossing and a lake approach differ in road shape, season and access.
Six mountain drives, and what to expect
1. Trail Ridge Road, Colorado
Trail Ridge Road runs 48 miles between Estes Park and Grand Lake through Rocky Mountain National Park. The National Park Service lists its high point at 12,183 feet and describes it as the highest continuous paved road in the United States. NPS estimates 1.5 to 2 hours for a crossing in steady traffic; overlooks, alpine tundra and wildlife can make the trip longer. The route is a summer drive, and fast-changing high-elevation weather or temporary closures can disrupt plans. Timed entry applies on specified dates and times, so check the park’s current road status and entry information before setting out.
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2. Bear Lake Road, Colorado
Bear Lake Road climbs 9.2 paved miles from about 8,200 feet to Bear Lake at 9,475 feet. It is a scenic high-country approach rather than a road over a summit. NPS says the road is open year-round, but winter and spring snow or ice can affect driving, and traction requirements may apply. Check Rocky Mountain National Park road information for current conditions and requirements.
3. Beartooth Highway, Montana and Wyoming
This roughly 68-mile route crosses the Beartooth Range and Plateau, cresting at 10,970 feet before continuing toward Yellowstone’s northeast entrance. It connects the Red Lodge area with Cooke City and offers a high-country pass-and-plateau drive rather than a road to a single summit. Season and weather are central to planning; check Recreation.gov’s Beartooth Highway overview and current transportation and park authority updates before travel.
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4. Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, Colorado
Formerly called the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, the route now bears the name Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway and climbs to the mountain’s summit. Colorado DOT cautions that vehicles over 30 feet are not recommended on CO 5 because the road is steep, narrow and winding. Opening and reservation information can change, so verify it through Colorado DOT’s byway page before driving.
5. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana
Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses Glacier National Park for roughly 50 miles and reaches Logan Pass at 6,646 feet. Its full alpine section is seasonal: snow removal and weather determine when it opens, so an opening date from one year is not a reliable forecast for another. NPS reported that the entire road opened on June 23 in 2026. On the stretch between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun, the agency restricts vehicles or vehicle combinations longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet. Check the NPS road page for current opening status and restrictions.
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6. Haleakalā Summit District, Hawai‘i
The road to Haleakalā’s 10,023-foot summit district takes approximately 2.5 hours from Kahului, 3 hours from Wailea or 3.5 hours from Lahaina, according to the National Park Service. Entry between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. Hawaii time for sunrise requires a reservation. There is no gas station or EV charging station within the park. NPS notes that the road has no streetlights or guardrails; drive carefully and check the latest park conditions and reservation information.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose a route and plan the drive
- For the highest documented road point here: Trail Ridge Road reaches 12,183 feet, with a summer crossing through Rocky Mountain National Park.
- For a high pass and broad plateau: Beartooth Highway crosses between Montana and Wyoming and crests at 10,970 feet.
- For a drive to a summit: Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway reaches its namesake summit; Haleakalā’s road reaches a summit district with a sunrise reservation window.
- For a seasonal national-park crossing: Going-to-the-Sun Road’s alpine section opens according to snow and weather, and its narrow stretch has vehicle-size limits.
- For a shorter scenic climb: Bear Lake Road reaches a high-elevation lake, but it is not a summit-crossing road.
Before any trip, check the managing agency’s current road status, entry rules, reservations and vehicle restrictions. Mountain weather can change rapidly, and a route’s availability may not match the season’s usual pattern. For a sunrise drive at Haleakalā, account for the reservation requirement and the lack of fuel or charging inside the park.
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