What are the most spectacular roads in the USA?
The vast expanse of the USA, stretching from the amber waves of grain to the majestic purple mountain majesties, boasts a network of roads that are as diverse as the nation's tapestry of cultures. One such road, the Million Dollar Highway, is often touted as America's crown jewel of roadways, leading adventurers through awe-inspiring terrains and offering unparalleled vistas. Further north, the Iron Mountain Road, with its dizzying 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 pigtails, and 3 tunnels, stands as a testament to man's desire to conquer nature, providing a thrilling drive that's not for the faint-hearted.
Journey to Colorado, and you'll find yourself face to face with the infamous Black Bear Pass - a road that promises not just breathtaking beauty, but also adrenaline-pumping excitement. For the off-road enthusiasts, Engineer Pass offers an opportunity to get up close and personal with Colorado's high mountain terrains, challenging drivers to push their limits amidst staggering beauty. Not to be outdone, Utah’s Canyonlands beckons with the Shafer Trail Road, an iconic route that cuts through the heart of some of the most stunning canyons, making you feel like you're driving through the very pages of history.
In the USA, each road is a journey, an exploration, a challenge, and a story. They are gateways to discovering the grandeur of the nation, to feeling the pulse of its land, and to embracing the spirit of adventure that is quintessentially American. Whether bathed in the golden hues of sunrise or shrouded in the mysteries of twilight, these roads promise experiences that linger long after the journey's end.
Driving the highest paved road in Washington to Sunrise Point
Sunrise Point is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 1,957m (6,420ft) above sea level, located in Pierce County, in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the highest point that can be reached by vehicle at Mount Rainier National Park.
Rim Rock Drive offers dizzying cliff’s edge views of Colorado National Monument
Rim Rock Drive is one of the most scenic drives in the American West. Located in Mesa County, in the U.S. state of Colorado, the drive delivers dizzying cliff’s edge views in Colorado National Monument.
The unpaved mountain road to Marshall Pass in Colorado
Marshall Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.305m (10,842ft) above sea level, located in Saguache County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
A rocky, rough and washed out road to Stony Pass in Colorado
Stony Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.846m (12,618ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.
A road trip to Lobdell Lake in California is truly epic
Lobdell Lake is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.827m (9,274ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. It's one of the highest roads in California.
Robertson Road is one of America's Creepiest Roads
Located in Bulloch County, in the U.S. state of Georgia, Robertson Road is said to be one of America's Creepiest Roads and one of the most haunted parts of the state. As the story goes, people have witnessed unexplainable lights on the road as well as large ghost dogs.
Hurricane Ridge Road is Washington's Best Driving Road
Hurricane Ridge Road is probably Washington's best driving road. Located within Olympic National Park, this paved road snakes up to Hurricane Ridge, at an elevation of 1,549m (5,082ft) above sea level.
Crossing the New Tappan Zee Bridge in NY
Located in the U.S. state of New York, the Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge was a cantilever bridge is 16,013 feet (4,881 m) long. It was very scary and one of the top 10 most insecure bridges in the country. It is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Sitgreaves Pass in Arizona is a fabulous road if you are not scared of heights
Sitgreaves Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,096m (3,595ft) above sea level, located in Mohave County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. Very few guardrails give you no leeway for error.
Decker Canyon Road is a drive you'll never forget in California
Located in western Los Angeles County, in the US state of California, Decker Canyon Road is said to be one of the 5 Best Driving Roads in Malibu. It is a very narrow road that rises in elevation quickly (up to 10%). It’s the type of road you'll never forget.
Loop Road of Everglades in Florida: watch out for alligators
Loop Road is a very scenic drive located in the Everglades National Park, in the U.S. state of Florida. In the summer, parts of the road can be under water.
The beautiful and scenic road to Ohio Pass in Colorado
Ohio Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,072m (10,078ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s a scenic drive that any 2WD vehicle can handle in the summer.
Ultimate 4wd destination: Peak 10 in Colorado
Peak 10 is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,085m (13,402ft) above sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Experienced drivers in aggressive stock SUVs can do it. It's one of the highest roads in the USA.
Carr Canyon Road in Arizona: narrow and steep with no guard rails
Carr Canyon Road #368 is a winding, steep, gravel switchback road located in Cochise County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.
Berdoo Canyon Road is a Californian Offroad Trail
Berdoo Canyon Road is a demanding trail located in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California. Flash floods are a possibility. It’s one of the famous backcountry roads in Joshua Tree National Park.
A steep paved toll-road to the top of Equinox Mountain in Vermont
Mount Equinox is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,170m (3,840ft) above sea level, located in Bennington County, in the U.S. state of Vermont. The climb is brutal, with some sections up to 14.66%. It’s an unforgettable drive to the summit of the highest peak in the Taconic Range.
Christmas Tree Pass is an enjoyable drive through the desert of Nevada
Christmas Tree Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.210m (3,969ft) above sea level, located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. High clearance vehicle is helpful in spots. The pass is known for its decorations along the trail.
Natchez Trace Parkway: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Natchez Trace Parkway is a very scenic drive running through three states in the southeastern United States. It may not strike you at first, but as you drive along the road, you'll be traveling down the approximation of a 10,000-year-old pathway steeped in history.
Road trip guide: Boreas Pass in Colorado
Boreas Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,507m (11,505ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s a low-maintenance, rough gravel road closed in winters but passable by two-wheel-drive automobiles in good weather.
A dangerous road with breathtaking views to Gates Pass in Arizona
Gates Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 969m (3,179ft) above sea level, located in Pima County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.
State Route 12 is A Journey Through Time in Utah
The stunning Utah Scenic Byway 12 is a road trip through time that connects Wayne County and Garfield County, in the US state of Utah.
The haunted Irwin Road in Pennsylvania is covered by a low-hanging blue mist
Located in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in North Park, Irwin Road is said to be haunted by a low-hanging blue mist and famous for various reports of paranormal activity and eerie encounters along its length.
Big Sur Coast Highway is an epic coastal drive in California
Big Sur Coast Highway is a very scenic drive hugging the California coast, in the USA. This twisting, cliff-hugging coastal scenic drive runs from Monterey to San Luis Obispo.
Coyote Flat is a steep rocky road for high clearance 4X4's in California
Coyote Flat is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 3.061m (10,042ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads of California.
North La Veta Pass is a challenging paved road of Colorado
North La Veta Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.869m (9,413ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado.
The iconic Deception Pass Bridge in Washington
Deception Pass Bridge is located in the U.S. state of Washington. It’s a two-lane bridge spanning the Deception Pass, and connects Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island in the Puget Sound region. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Rich Mountain Road is a delightful drive through the Smokies
Rich Mountain Road is a very scenic one-way drive located in Blount County, in the U.S. state of Tennessee.
Driving the enthralling Notom-Bullfrog Road in Capitol Reef NP
Notom-Bullfrog Road is a very scenic drive running across Capitol Reef National Park, in the US state of Utah. It runs along the eastern side of the Waterpocket Fold and is considered one of the best drives in Capitol Reef National Park.
Can I drive to Mount Mitchell in North Carolina?
Mount Mitchell is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,007m (6,584ft) above sea level, located in Yancey County, in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It’s said to be the highest point east of the Mississippi.
Talimena Scenic Drive is an awe-inspiring road across the Ouachita Mountains
Talimena Scenic Drive is a very scenic drive running across the Ouachita Mountains, straddling the southeastern part of Oklahoma and western Arkansas, in the USA.
The unforgettable road to Dunraven Pass, the highest pass in Yellowstone
Dunraven Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.718m (8,917ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. At this elevation, it is the highest pass inside the park.
McClure Pass is one of the steepest paved roads of Colorado
McClure Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.681m (8,795ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the steepest paved roads in the state, hitting a 9% maximum gradient.
Railroad Ridge is the highest road in Idaho
Railroad Ridge is a high mountain ridge at an elevation of 3.180m (10,433ft) above sea level located in Custer County, in the US state of Idaho. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s said to be the highest road accessible to full-size vehicles in Idaho.
Mackinac Bridge in Michigan: the biggest fear is the wind
Mackinac Bridge divides the Upper and Lower peninsulas of Michigan. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Dillon Road is a dangerous drive through the open desert of California
Dillon Road is an isolated drive through the open desert, located in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California.
Mount Baker Highway is an extraordinary day trip in Washington
Mount Baker Highway is a very scenic drive located within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in the US state of Washington. The end of the road at Artist Point is only open for 3-4 months in late summer and early fall.
Kancamagus Highway is a scenic drive in New Hampshire during the fall foliage season
Kancamagus Highway is a very scenic drive located in Grafton County, in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. It is said to be one of the most popular fall foliage road trips in the world.
A truly epic road to Kennebec Pass in Colorado
Kennebec Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,561m (11,683ft) above sea level, located in La Plata County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. 4WD with good clearance is needed for the last section of the road.
A two mile road to the top of Capulin Volcano in New Mexico
Capulin Volcano is an extinct cinder cone volcano at an elevation of 2,405m (7,890ft) above sea level, located in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the most accessible volcanoes in the world.
The road to Monida Pass on the border of Idaho and Montana
Monida Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,102m (6,896ft) above sea level, located on the border of Idaho and Montana, in the USA.
Baxter Pass: Ultimate 4wd Destination in Colorado
Baxter Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.573m (8,441ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. High-clearance 4WDs are recommended, though most stock SUVs are acceptable.
The Best RV Routes Through The Smoky Mountains (Must See!)
With around 187,000 acres of land, the Great Smoky Mountains are a major attraction of the USA that thousands of people flock to every year. This large area of land stretches along the Tennessee-North Carolina border.
Holy Cross City Jeep Road in Colorado is only for the most experienced drivers
Holy Cross City Jeep Road is a truly breathtaking trail, only for the most experienced drivers, located in Eagle County, in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the most difficult and popular hardcore roads in the state. Stock vehicles should not attempt this one.
Ultimate 4wd destination: Clear Lake in San Juan NF
Clear Lake is an alpine turquoise lake at an elevation of 3.653m (11,984ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Be sure to have experience in back roads if you attempt this trail. The drive is not for the faint of heart.
A rough road to the beautiful Goose Lake in New Mexico
Goose Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.570m (11,712ft) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. This drive is worth it, but be forewarned of the difficulty. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.
What are the highest roads in Idaho?
Located in the northwestern region of the United States, Idaho contains hundreds of individual mountain ranges an unspoiled beauty. It has the most rugged terrain in the country, with 114 named mountain ranges and fifty mountain peaks having an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level. Literally covered from north to south by the Rocky Mountains, the State is known for its mountainous landscapes and vast swaths of protected wilderness and outdoor recreation areas.
The iconic Mosquito Bridge in California
Located in El Dorado County, in the U.S. state of California, Mosquito Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
What are the highest roads in Arizona?
Located in the southwestern region of the United States, Arizona is the sixth largest state in the country in terms of area. Part of the Mountain West states, Arizona is best known for its desert landscape. It can be divided into three major land areas; the Colorado plateau, the Transition Zone and the Basin and Ridge Region. The state is also known for its climate, which has very hot summers and mild winters.