The province of Jaén is served by the A-4 Madrid-Cádiz motorway, southern Spain's principal road artery. Other principal road arteries are the A-44 (Bailen-Motril) and N-322 (Bailén-Albacete). An extensive network of secondary and local roads provides access to every point in the province.

The pass of Despeñaperros, located in the north of the province in the natural park of the same name, is a major point of entry into Andalucía and an obligatory point of passage for all road traffic entering or leaving Andalucía. Traditionally seen as a stopping point on the way to somewhere else, the city of Jaén now draws increasing numbers of tourists with its cultural, natural and gastronomic attractions.