This is a plain bracket-by-bracket list of where to quest at each level range, for both factions. It is not a full route. It is a zone list. On x1 rates, picking the right zone at the right level is most of your leveling speed.
Alliance
- 1-10: your race’s starting zone (Elwynn, Dun Morogh, Teldrassil, Darkshore for Night Elves).
- 10-20: Westfall, then Loch Modan or Darkshore, into Redridge.
- 20-30: Duskwood, Ashenvale, Stonetalon, Hillsbrad.
- 30-40: Arathi, Stranglethorn Vale (STV carries you a long way), Desolace.
- 40-50: Tanaris, Feralas, the Hinterlands, Searing Gorge.
- 50-60: Un’Goro, Felwood, Western and Eastern Plaguelands, Burning Steppes, Winterspring, Silithus.
Horde
- 1-10: your race’s starting zone (Durotar, Mulgore, Tirisfal, Barrens for Trolls/Orcs early).
- 10-20: Barrens (most of it), Silverpine, then back to Barrens.
- 20-30: Stonetalon, Ashenvale, Hillsbrad, Thousand Needles.
- 30-40: Arathi, Stranglethorn Vale, Desolace, Dustwallow.
- 40-50: Tanaris, Feralas, Badlands, Searing Gorge.
- 50-60: Un’Goro, Felwood, Western and Eastern Plaguelands, Burning Steppes, Winterspring, Silithus.
Two things that matter more than the exact zone
- Both factions converge from the 30s onward. STV, Tanaris, Un’Goro, and the Plaguelands carry everyone, so expect company and competition for mobs there.
- When quests in a zone start giving thin experience, move on rather than grinding them out. A green quest is worth less than a yellow one in the next zone.
For full routing, use pfQuest or a leveling addon. The brackets above tell you which zone it should be sending you to.