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.

Cerro Saragate is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.151m (10,337ft) above the sea level, located in Rio Arriba County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

ount Wilcox is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.770m (12,368ft) above the sea level, located in Summit County, central Colorado, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Freds Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.004m (9,855ft) above the sea level, located in Teton County, Wyoming, United States. 

Hawley Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.223m (7,293ft) above the sea level, located in Boise County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Atlantic Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.778m (12,395ft) above the sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a very scenic loop road located in Gatlinburg, a mountain town in in Sevier County, eastern Tennessee, in USA. The road is open to cars only (no trucks or RVs).

Cove Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.254m (10,675ft) above the sea level located in the Sanpete County, in Utah, USA. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Located in Jefferson County, in the U.S. state of Washington, Dosewallips River Road is totally washed out.

Mount Buckskin is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.881m (12,732ft) above the sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Born in Estonia and raised in California, Otto Mears emerged as a pivotal entrepreneur, leaving an indelible mark on the development of Southwestern Colorado. His legacy is defined by the construction of over 450 miles of toll roads and railroads, contributing significantly to the region's accessibility, settlement, and mining.

High Top is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.321m (10,897ft) above the sea level located in the Sanpete County, in Utah, USA. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Wildhorse Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.913m (9,557ft) above the sea level, located in Custer County, Idaho, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads in Idaho. Located in the White Knob Mountains of central Idaho, the road to the summit is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times.

Road trips across America are often the staple of many people’s travel bucket lists. If you’re looking for adventure, America’s vast map of relaxing unchanging open roads might not be your cup of tea. 

Navajo Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.154m (10,347ft) above the sea level, located in San Juan County, Utah, in USA. 

Piney Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.864m (9,396ft) above the sea level, located in Eagle County, Colorado, in USA. It is one of the highest lakes in the state that you can drive to. The road is a bit rough.

Located in Keokuk County, Iowa, in USA, the 170th Street Rock Creek Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Mid-Basin Road is a short gravel road located in the the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, in Nevada, USA. It’s a 4wd track.

Silver Plume Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.756m (12,322ft) above the sea level, located in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Libby Flats is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 3.252m (10,669ft) above the sea level, located in Carbon County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Wyoming.

Chopaka Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.903m (6,243ft) above the sea level, located in Okanogan County, in the U.S. state of Washington along the Canada–US border. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Washington.

Panther Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.760m (5,774ft) above the sea level, located in Brewster County, Texas, in USA.

Smith Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.340m (7,677ft) above the sea level, located in Plumas County, in the Sierra Nevada of the U.S. state of California.

Navajo Point is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.188m (10,459ft) above the sea level, located in Iron County, in the U.S. state of Utah. 

Mingus Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.146m (7,040ft) above the sea level, located in Yavapai County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Sacramento Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 9,262ft (2.823m) above the sea level, located in Otero County, in the south-central part of the US State of New Mexico.

Snow Valley Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.813m (9,229ft) above the sea level, located in Carson City, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

The real adventure lies in driving on those dangerous roads. If you love driving on those off-beat unpaved roads where few dare to drive, well, you need to take a good look at your SUV. 

Route 32 is the name of a very scenic yet defiant road located on the eastern border of the U.S. state of Tennessee. It’s not for beginners.

Long Tom Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.493m (8,179ft) above the sea level located in Lemhi County, in Idaho, USA.

Currant Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.891m (9,485ft) above the sea level, located in the Front Range of central Colorado, USA.

Located in Butler County, Iowa, in USA, the 265th Street Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Located in Iowa, in USA, the 320th Avenue Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Mount Werner is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.222m (10,570ft) above the sea level, located in the Rocky Mountains of northwestern Colorado, in USA.

Mount Bachelor is a stratovolcano at an elevation of 2.461m (8,074ft) above the sea level, located in Deschutes County, in central Oregon, USA. It’s one of the highest roads of Oregon.

Mount Emerine is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.631m (8,631ft) above the sea level, located in Granite County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Malemute Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.899m (12,791ft) above the sea level, located in Pitkin County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Geysers Road Bridge is a truss bridge with Phoenix columns located in Sonoma County, in Northern California, in USA. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Hanson Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.890m (12,762ft) above the sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Locaeted in Buchanan County, Iowa, in USA, the Victor Avenue Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Blue Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 3.728m (12,230ft) above the sea level, located in San Miguel County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Mazuorka Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.870m (9,416ft) above the sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It's one of the highest mountain roads of California.

Gobblers Knob is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.002m (6,568ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in California, USA. The drive is very steep, with sections up to 44%.

The I-15 or Interstate 15 is a paved highway located in the U.S. state of Nevada. It is the main route between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

UT-211 is a very scenic journey in the heart of the Needles region of Canyonlands National Park,in San Juan County, in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Utah. Driving in is beautiful with amazing views along the way.

Eagle Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.987m (9,801ft) above the sea level, located in Catron County, in western New Mexico, in USA.

Located in the Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska, in USA, the Copper River Highway is a very scenic drive, a pure scenery gem.

Woody Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.440m (8,006ft) above the sea level, located in Coconino County, in the north central part of the U.S. state of Arizona.

Truckers are already disproportionately at risk of injury while driving; Business Insider note that truckers make up 2.4% of all road fatalities in the USA. A major reason for this is the fact that everybody needs goods, and that means truck drivers can’t discriminate on road conditions.

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